Potential Short?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Potential Short?
I have a few problems which I now think may be interelated:
1. Windshield wipers are not working. Tested red/white strip wire under steering column, no power based on touching it with tester
2. Rear passenger side brake light is out, replaced bulb but still not working. I didn't check bulb to see if it worked on driver side (making sure not a bad bulb). But I will tomorrow.
3. Car struggles to start when hot, slow to turn over
4. Sometimes (maybe once a month) car won't start, like battery is dead. I can try again in a few minutes and it starts.
5. I also notice I have to keep gas pedal at least slightly pushed in after starting (have to close choke quickly after it starts) or car will stall. Then trouble getting re-started. I didn't think this was related to above but figured I would add it in.
Thanks for help as always. This may be too much for me to tackle with my limited knowledge. Especially if I have to do work on the engine harness. But I'll give it a shot.
1. Windshield wipers are not working. Tested red/white strip wire under steering column, no power based on touching it with tester
2. Rear passenger side brake light is out, replaced bulb but still not working. I didn't check bulb to see if it worked on driver side (making sure not a bad bulb). But I will tomorrow.
3. Car struggles to start when hot, slow to turn over
4. Sometimes (maybe once a month) car won't start, like battery is dead. I can try again in a few minutes and it starts.
5. I also notice I have to keep gas pedal at least slightly pushed in after starting (have to close choke quickly after it starts) or car will stall. Then trouble getting re-started. I didn't think this was related to above but figured I would add it in.
Thanks for help as always. This may be too much for me to tackle with my limited knowledge. Especially if I have to do work on the engine harness. But I'll give it a shot.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Rear passenger side brake light is out, replaced bulb but still not working...
...Car struggles to start when hot, slow to turn over...
...Sometimes (maybe once a month) car won't start, like battery is dead. I can try again in a few minutes and it starts...
...I also notice I have to keep gas pedal at least slightly pushed in after starting (have to close choke quickly after it starts) or car will stall. Then trouble getting re-started...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Check fuse and relay
I had already replaced fuse, old fuse looked okay anyways. One thing about this I should mention. I checked the power supply (red wire/white stripe) to override switch (under steering column) with my tester, no signal. But I should also note that I do not have a wiper door. Hood was replaced with longer hood when engine was replaced. Is is possible override switch is out of service?
Do you have the correct blulb? Installed correctly? Check the wiring harness ground.
I'm going to check new bulb on right side to make sure it's not the bulb.
Heat soak. Make sure the starter shield is in place.
Any chance someone has a photo of what it should look like?
Have you cleaned the battery cables and posts? Make sure the ground cable has a good, clean connection on the frame. Battery in good shape?
Battery seems to be good. Like I said it usually starts up fine. I can clean the posts and cables, what should I use to clean?
Probably the choke setting. Might be time to rebuild the Q-Jet.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, what is Q-jet? And does the fact I don't know what it is lead me to believe I can't rebuild it?
I had already replaced fuse, old fuse looked okay anyways. One thing about this I should mention. I checked the power supply (red wire/white stripe) to override switch (under steering column) with my tester, no signal. But I should also note that I do not have a wiper door. Hood was replaced with longer hood when engine was replaced. Is is possible override switch is out of service?
Do you have the correct blulb? Installed correctly? Check the wiring harness ground.
I'm going to check new bulb on right side to make sure it's not the bulb.
Heat soak. Make sure the starter shield is in place.
Any chance someone has a photo of what it should look like?
Have you cleaned the battery cables and posts? Make sure the ground cable has a good, clean connection on the frame. Battery in good shape?
Battery seems to be good. Like I said it usually starts up fine. I can clean the posts and cables, what should I use to clean?
Probably the choke setting. Might be time to rebuild the Q-Jet.
Sorry for my lack of knowledge, what is Q-jet? And does the fact I don't know what it is lead me to believe I can't rebuild it?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 448
Likes: 21
From: Klein Texas
Does the wiper door open?
Are the contacts good in the light socket?
Is your ignition timing too far advanced?
Does are brake light switch intermittently stick, leaving the brakes lights on?(mine does)
Sounds like the choke pull-off is broken.
Are the contacts good in the light socket?
Is your ignition timing too far advanced?
Does are brake light switch intermittently stick, leaving the brakes lights on?(mine does)
Sounds like the choke pull-off is broken.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
I assume contacts are good. The tail light does go on with the headlights. Just no break light. But I'll check them out.
Break lights don't stay on, as far as I know.
Not sure about ignition timing question.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
I believe it is a two element bulb I put in (99% sure). Matched bulb number from my owners manual. Old bulb had same problem, lights for headlight won't light for break light. I'll double check everything tonight and make sure connection is good and that new bulb works on driver side (which is working fine currently). Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Update on repairs - still some issues
I took the car in to my mechanic to look at electrical. Had the wipers fixed but now I have a problem with the wipers Not Turning Off. It has happened twice, the last time I fiddled with it (pushing switch in, back and forth) and eventually wipers turned off. I believe there are two connections on wiper switch, is it possible to interchange them and cause this problem?
Had starter replaced, in case this helps anyone later. Put mini starter in. I do still have a problem with the car hesitating to start on hot re-starts.
Also my mechanic recommended replacing the carberator. Anyone have a recommendation on carberator? Also when I change the carberator will it cut back on the fuel smell I walk into the house with when I return from a ride?
Had starter replaced, in case this helps anyone later. Put mini starter in. I do still have a problem with the car hesitating to start on hot re-starts.
Also my mechanic recommended replacing the carberator. Anyone have a recommendation on carberator? Also when I change the carberator will it cut back on the fuel smell I walk into the house with when I return from a ride?
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
Check fuse and relay
Do you have the correct blulb? Installed correctly? Check the wiring harness ground.
Heat soak. Make sure the starter shield is in place.
Have you cleaned the battery cables and posts? Make sure the ground cable has a good, clean connection on the frame. Battery in good shape?
Probably the choke setting. Might be time to rebuild the Q-Jet.
Do you have the correct blulb? Installed correctly? Check the wiring harness ground.
Heat soak. Make sure the starter shield is in place.
Have you cleaned the battery cables and posts? Make sure the ground cable has a good, clean connection on the frame. Battery in good shape?
Probably the choke setting. Might be time to rebuild the Q-Jet.
Those would be my first answers.
