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Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 10:26:48 -0700
From: "Bristlecone" <luciannopsamranv.net>
Subject: Re: 900 Electrical problems and more???


Skot Smith wrote in message <38133133.E4B5C694nopsamsouth.net>... >Hi all- >I have an '85 900 sedan with a few minor issues. That's why we love these cars. ;-) Lemme try here.... > >#1- Whenever I am in a low, rough idle, there is a loud clanking sound >coming from underneath the car. Sometimes I hear the clanking when >shifting gears- sometimes not. I suspect the exhaust system, but >everything looks tight. Sounds as though something is just loose. As you undoubtedly know, the piping from the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe is about 15 feet of suspended hollow sheetmetal capable of reverberating quite nicely when loose. Does it make the noise when you drive over rough roads? If so, I'd say that's it. If you absolutely can't find anything loose when you crawl under the car, you might try removing the muffler and shaking it. Some hooligan may have thought it would be funny to shove something up your tailpipe (literally, and lucky for you not figuratively). You didn't say where underneath the car the sound is coming from, but I'm assuming from your question it doesn't come from one of the corners or the engine compartment, or we'd be talking about something else entirely. Remember too, though, that the source of the sound could be anywhere along the exhaust system (right up to the exhaust manifold) and the sound could seem to be coming from somewhere else. Ever notice that the exhaust note seems to be coming from the tailpipe when all the action is at the manifold? If you have a nephew you don't like, try strapping him to the undercarriage and going for a ride on some country roads. Tell him he can come out when he finds the problem. > >#2- The headlight switch light on the dash is out. Is there an easy way >to replace it? It looks like I need to remove the entire dash to replace >this bulb. Is this correct? You need to get the fachia (sp?) pulled forward, I believe (don't have a manual, but I think this is correct). But you'd want to do that anyway, because it may be a wire that leads to the light rather than the bulb, especially given your problem #3, which may be a distant cousin of problem #2. Doing so is not as difficult as it sounds. Lots of little plastic bits to remove then lots of screws to unscrew. A Chilton's would have this procedure in detail. > >#3- Whenever I have the lights on and I brake- the brakelights go dim. >If I have the turn signal on and I brake, the turn signal actually stops >while the both rear lights do this weired dim blinking thing. I've >checked all the bulbs and replaced some...I thik maybe one of the double >filamints (?) may be bad (dim?) but I've used two different bulbs and >the same results. Any help? A light works fine until another light is turned on? I'd suspect wiring. Sounds like the wiring is offering too much resistance for all the various loads it was designed to handle when new. Not uncommon in a car of this age for the wiring to become brittle and less effective or break (see also #2 above). You can check the general condition of the wiring by feeling it in your hands. Is it stiff and brittle? Does it look worn? Is the insulation worn through in places? But to know for sure you'd have to check its resistance on an ohm meter. On an '85 with multiple little electrical problems, if I were planning to keep the car for a while, I'd consider having the sucker rewired. Everything wears out eventually. Bristlecone (who reminds everyone receiving free advice that you get what you pay for) > >Thanks in advance- >Skot >

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