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5658 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 12:20 AM

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Messages Page 550 of 566

#5491 of 5658 Re: Mazda Millenia S revs high on highway [imaddicted2u] by stickguy

Jan 27, 2012 (11:47 am)

Replying to: imaddicted2u (Jan 26, 2012 6:15 pm)
can't help you on the debugging, but pretty sure I can tell you why it was for sale.
 
I learned the hard way once to always take a used car up to highway speeds before buying. Some things just don't show up around town.

#5492 of 5658 Alternator has excessive amperage reading by targa1

Jan 27, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Hi, I recently replace my alternator with a Leece-nevile 90 amp alt. My question is: now the ammeter is being pegged on a -60 - +60 ammeter towards the + end (at least it's positive and not negative) I have checked the factory wiring recomendations made certain of grounds and B+ connections. What could possibly be causing so much amperage? The batteries appear to be OK. Befuddled

#5493 of 5658 Re: Alternator has excessive amperage reading [targa1] by bolivar

Jan 27, 2012 (10:59 pm)

Replying to: targa1 (Jan 27, 2012 12:12 pm)
Apparently, you bought a defective alternator. Take it back.
 
P.S. What kind of a car has an ampmeter it in? I haven't seen a car with an ampmeter since the mid-1970's. Or, are you taking a measurement with an outside ampmeter? If this is what is happening, just after starting, with a somewhat discharged battery, an alternator 'might' be throwing as much as 60 amps to recharge the battery. It should start to taper down to much less, unless the battery is highly discharged. Or you are running a lot of power sucking accessories on the car.
  

#5494 of 5658 Re: Mazda Millenia S revs high on highway [stickguy] by imaddicted2u

Jan 28, 2012 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 27, 2012 11:47 am)
Agreed, lesson learned.
At least it has new struts, sway bar, sway bar links, sway bar bushings, ball joints and new tires.
I think I have the transmission problem figured out.
Turns out what I thought was a 2 to 3 shift was the torque converter locking up.
 
This it the Problem: Transmission shifts 1st to 2nd but no 3rd or 4th.
 
Solenoids test ok, They click when 12 volts is applied.
 
Solenoid A has 12 volts until shift to second, then it goes low.
Solenoid B has 12 volts until supposed to shift to 3rd, then it goes low. Transmission stays in second.
This proves the TCM is asking for 3rd gear, so TCM is ok.
 
The transmission manual shows this symptom as solenoid B always on or stuck on in the valve body. For a reasonable price, I can either rebuild or replace the valve body and without taking the transmission out of the car, so that's a bonus. I think I'll come out ok in the end.
I'll look closer next time though.

#5495 of 5658 Strange Vibrating by deekarmy

Feb 05, 2012 (3:55 pm)

Hello Everyone,
I own a 1998 Saturn SL2 and I was working on the car and found something odd vibrating. I'm not a car guy so I don't know the technical term, but I just know it doesn't look right. I took a video of my situation.
 
link title It isn't obvious in the video, but the second from the left is vibrating while the others are keeping still.
 
Also this is the second time in between oil changes that I had to top the oil off. And my milage has been much lower than I am used to (21-23 combined mpg, maybe 25 if 175mi of 200 are hiway)
 
So is this bad that my car is on its last legs or am I expecting a large repair cost?
 
Specs:
Year/Make/Model: 1998 Saturn SL2
Type & Size of Engine: 1.9L 124 hp I4
Transmission Type: (Auto)
Mileage: 80k
 
Thanks.

#5496 of 5658 Re: Strange Vibrating [deekarmy] by stickguy

Feb 05, 2012 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: deekarmy (Feb 05, 2012 3:55 pm)
I couldnt see anything vibrating (though I am using a laptop with a broken screen, looks like an ink blot test). But are you talking about the 4 rubber boots/wires in the center? that would be the spark plugs. And I assume on a '98 Saturn, it is just plain old spark plugs and wires, and not coil packs.
 
So I would pull the boot off and check that the plug is not loose, and that the boot is on tight.

#5497 of 5658 Re: Strange Vibrating [stickguy] by deekarmy

Feb 05, 2012 (9:20 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Feb 05, 2012 4:19 pm)
Thanks stickguy,
 
You have it right that I'm talking about the four rubber boots/wires as you have worded it (I'm more of a computer guy than car guy) The second from the left vibrates like crazy. I'll go ahead and check it out.

#5498 of 5658 Re: Strange Vibrating [stickguy] by bolivar

Feb 05, 2012 (11:48 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Feb 05, 2012 4:19 pm)
I couldn't tell anything from the video either. Actually sounded pretty good.
 
If only one is moving, then yes, as stickguy said, check that the plug wire is firmly on the plug. The plug might even loose.
 
At this milage, and especially at this age, 14 years, all you need might be a set of new plugs and new wires. Especially new wires. 4 plugs at what, $5 each, and a set of wires for $30 (?) for a total of $50 would not be throwing a lot of parts at an unknown problem. And if the motor has never had the plugs and wires changed, it surely could not hurt.
 
A spark plug socket and a cheap 3/8 inch rachet set should enable you to change these plugs. They look very easy, sitting on top of the motor, very accessible. For $75 or so you can get what a shop will call a 'tune-up' (plugs and wires) and would probably charge $225....

#5499 of 5658 03 Infiniti G35 starting problems by kokopuff

Feb 08, 2012 (1:52 pm)

I have replaced battery and it starts sporatic somtimes nothing unless I turn and wiggle the steering wheel. Any thoughts on what the problem is or my next step, worried my wife is going to get stranded.

#5500 of 5658 Re: 03 Infiniti G35 starting problems [kokopuff] by qbrozen

Feb 08, 2012 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: kokopuff (Feb 08, 2012 1:52 pm)
if wiggling the steering wheel is the cure, it sounds like the ignition switch is going.

Messages Page 550 of 566

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