Few problems with the 85
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Few problems with the 85
I just finished a fluid/filter change on the tranny, what a nightmare laying on my back in the garage in the 40 degree weather....at least the air ratchet helped me a bit 
Anyways, a few issues with the car.
The alarm. This has me confused. After shutting the car off, i open the door, push the lock button, and close the door. The alarm starts going off, until i put the key in the lock and turn it to shut it off. What causes this? It only does it on the drivers side.
Courtesy lights. They stay on for 30 seconds after i shut the door. WTF?
When engaging the transmission into drive or reverse, it is louder in reverse for some reason, sometimes i can hear a little "clank" sound. The higher the engine rpm, the louder the clank. No i did not rev the engine to 4k and put it in reverse. U-joints?
Any help is appreciated!
Jeremy
Anyways, a few issues with the car.
The alarm. This has me confused. After shutting the car off, i open the door, push the lock button, and close the door. The alarm starts going off, until i put the key in the lock and turn it to shut it off. What causes this? It only does it on the drivers side.
Courtesy lights. They stay on for 30 seconds after i shut the door. WTF?
When engaging the transmission into drive or reverse, it is louder in reverse for some reason, sometimes i can hear a little "clank" sound. The higher the engine rpm, the louder the clank. No i did not rev the engine to 4k and put it in reverse. U-joints?
Any help is appreciated!
Jeremy
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Get the rear up on jack stands check your U joints on the half shafts, easy project to replace them.
Courtesy lights are on an automatic delay when getting out of car,when getting in they shut off right away when you turn the key on.
Courtesy lights are on an automatic delay when getting out of car,when getting in they shut off right away when you turn the key on.
Last edited by floridamale; Mar 13, 2010 at 11:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
That's the thing, when i turn the key on and start the car they still stay on for 30 seconds
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
If you do the U joints go get a 30inch 3/8's drive extension makes the job so much easier
Last edited by floridamale; Mar 14, 2010 at 06:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Last edited by floridamale; Mar 14, 2010 at 01:19 PM.
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Safety Car
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From: Vero Beach Florida
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
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From: Custer, WI
Made a little bit of progress today, but had to work all day so I couldn't do much
When I got home from work, i opened the door. Lights came on. I took my thumb and depressed the switch for the courtesy lights (at the front of the door) and the security light stopped flashing. I took my finger off of it and the alarm started going off.
Is the security system somehow related to the courtesy lights? Maybe its different on my 85 than other years, i know 85 was a year for firsts and only's. Namely the stupid MAF burnoff module.
When I got home from work, i opened the door. Lights came on. I took my thumb and depressed the switch for the courtesy lights (at the front of the door) and the security light stopped flashing. I took my finger off of it and the alarm started going off.
Is the security system somehow related to the courtesy lights? Maybe its different on my 85 than other years, i know 85 was a year for firsts and only's. Namely the stupid MAF burnoff module.
I have had problems with my alarm randomly going off when I unlock the car, I wonder if it's related...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
The controller is the same one used on the 86, so the first part of this, may help you diagnose.
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Vats%20Electrical.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
The security system just sees the voltage when the courtesy lights come on...this triggers the alarm (this why thiefs break out the windows and just reach into a car without opening the doors/hatch to steal stuff)
Try to lock/shut the door and push pull on the door to see if you can get the alarm to go off without pulling the handle....switch may be just barely making.
Agent may be correct that your system is armed all the time. Might try to exercise the key both ways in the door lock to arm/disarm or have a look at the key lock wires.
Try to lock/shut the door and push pull on the door to see if you can get the alarm to go off without pulling the handle....switch may be just barely making.
Agent may be correct that your system is armed all the time. Might try to exercise the key both ways in the door lock to arm/disarm or have a look at the key lock wires.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
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From: Custer, WI
THE STORY GOES ON.
Today, after shutting the car off after driving around for a bit I got out of the car, and decided to mess around with the courtesy light switch. I disconnected it, cleaned it up with electrical cleaner and put it back in. Now the lights won't shut off...jesus christmas. I pulled it out and blew it off with compressed air just to make sure it was 100% dry, reinstalled and same thing. Got pissed, pulled interior light fuse.
Any ideas?
Today, after shutting the car off after driving around for a bit I got out of the car, and decided to mess around with the courtesy light switch. I disconnected it, cleaned it up with electrical cleaner and put it back in. Now the lights won't shut off...jesus christmas. I pulled it out and blew it off with compressed air just to make sure it was 100% dry, reinstalled and same thing. Got pissed, pulled interior light fuse.
Any ideas?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: KC MO.
I had very similiar problems with my 85. The lights stayed on sometimes, wouldn't work at all other times, and worked fine once in a while.
There is a small timer in a white plastic case that is located up inside the dash on the passenger side that controls the delay. This was the problem on my car. A new one was many $ so I just jumpered around it. Only downside if you think it is a downside; now I need to make sure I have the key in the ignition before I shut the door because the courtesy lights shut off instantly when the door closes.
I'm pretty sure somebody on this Forum posted a drawing that showed which wires to jump but I don't remember for sure now as it has been too long since I did that. Sorry.
DaveW
There is a small timer in a white plastic case that is located up inside the dash on the passenger side that controls the delay. This was the problem on my car. A new one was many $ so I just jumpered around it. Only downside if you think it is a downside; now I need to make sure I have the key in the ignition before I shut the door because the courtesy lights shut off instantly when the door closes.
I'm pretty sure somebody on this Forum posted a drawing that showed which wires to jump but I don't remember for sure now as it has been too long since I did that. Sorry.
DaveW
