TECH TIPS FOR FEBRUARY, 1995

A 1994 CHRYSLER TECHNICAL BULLETIN WARNS THAT CHRYSLER NOW HAS 2 DIFFERENT CLEANING SOLVENTS FOR BRAKE PARTS. SINCE UP UNTIL NOW SOME MECHANICS HAVE BEEN USING BRAKE CLEANER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT & TERMINAL CLEANER THIS BECOMES IMPORTANT. DO NOT USE CLEANER # 4549623 ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS, THIS PRODUCT IS PETROLEUM BASED AND COULD POSSIBLY EAT THE CONNECTOR. HAVING SAID THIS, YOU HAD BEST CHECK WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF WHATEVER YOU DO USE EVEN IF IT'S NOT FROM CHRYSLER. ALL PETROLEUM BASED PRODUCTS SHOULD BE AVOIDED, WHEN CLEANING ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS.

IN APRIL OF 1992 WE WARNED OF A SITUATION IN WHICH THE MAIN BATTERY PLUG ON CERTAIN FORD ALTERNATORS COULD CATCH FIRE, DAMAGING NOT ONLY THE ALTERNATOR, WIRING BUT POSSIBLY SETTING FIRE TO THE VEHICLE. DURING JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, FOUR(4) OF OUR CUSTOMERS ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM. TWO HAPPENED WITHIN A MONTH OF INSTALLING NEW REBUILT ALTERNATORS.

BECAUSE OF THIS WE MUST STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU REPLACE THEMAIN BATTERY PLUG IN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE ALTERNATOR. THE PRICE OF THE PLUGS HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE YEARS, TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU DON'T REPLACE THE PLUG AND THE UNIT/CAR BURNS, ITS YOUR FAULT NOT THE PLUGS.

ON THE SAME SUBJECT, ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS TRIED TO REPLACE THE PLUG, USING THE YELLOW BARRELLED, CRIMP ON CONNECTORS, AND ENDED UP WITH A UNIT THAT WOULDN'T CHARGE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF A POOR MAIN BATTERY CONNECTION (A POOR MAIN BATTERY CONNECTION WAS WHAT CAUSED THE ORIGINAL FIRE). THE WIRES USED IN THE HARNESS ARE BIGGER THAN WILL COMFORTABLY AND PROPERLY FIT IN THESE CONNECTORS. FOR BEST AND PROFESSIONAL RESULTS IT IS NECESSARY THAT YOU USE SOLDER STYLE CONNECTORS (USING IN ROSIN CORE SOLDER) AND HEAT SHRINK TUBING OR AT THE VERY LEAST TOP QUALITY ELECTRICAL TAPE.

MOTOR MAGAZINE IN JUNE OF 1994 REPORTS AN INTERESTING PROBLEM ON 1991-92 LUMINA & GRAND PRIX, AND 1991-93 CUTLASS SUPREME, EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.4L V6 ENGINE & STANDARD TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD INITIALLY BE ATTRIBUTED TO ELECTRICAL OR IGNITION, BUT IS NOT RELATED TO EITHER. THE SYMPTOM IS: OCCASIONAL STALLING WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MOVING AT VERY LOW SPEED OR WHEN TURNING.CAUSE EXCESSIVE CRANKSHAFT END PLAY CAUSED BY A WORN THRUST BEARING. TO DIAGNOSE, PULL THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND SPLASH SHIELD. INSTALL A DIAL INDICATOR ON THE COOLANT CROSSOVER PIPE & ZERO. USING 2 BIG SCREW DRIVERS, ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FLYWHEEL, PRY THE CRANKSHAFT BACK & FORTH. IF YOU READ MORE THAN .008" PLAY, PREPARE AN ESTIMATE & GIVE THE CUSTOMER THE BAD NEWS.

A NISSAN TECHNICAL BULLETIN FROM THEIR DATABASE REPORTS THAT ON 1991-93 ZX MODELS WHICH EXPERIENCE A " NO CRANK" & THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS LOCKED UP. THE STARTER WAS OK AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WHITE/BLACK WIRE FROM THE # 3 INJECTOR HAD ITS INSULATION CHAFED THROUGH AT THE AUXILIARY AIR REGULATOR CLAMP. REPAIRING THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL & FUEL FILTERS WAS SUGGESTED BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL CONTAMINATION.

FROM FORD COMES THE WARNING THAT ON 1987-93 MUSTANGS, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE WIPER SLOW DOWN OR INTERMITTENT STOPPAGE CAUSED BY WATER BYPASSING THE HOOD SEAL & ENTERING THE WIPER MOTOR. THE ACCUMULATION OF WATER, CORROSION & BRUSH GARBAGE CAN CAUSE INTERMITTED\NT OPERATION. THE CURE IS TO INSTAL FORD KIT #F3PZ17508A BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTION ENCLOSED IN THE KIT.

A GM TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON 1992-93 CORSICA & BERRETTA WITH THE 3.1L (VIN T-RPO LHO) MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OR WEAKENING OF POWER STEERING, THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON OR THE VOLT GAUGE READING LOW, OR AN SQUEAL NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE PROBABLE CAUSES IS WATER GETTING ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT ALLOWING IT TO SLIP. A REPLACEMENT SPLASH SHIELD (PART# 22587195) HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED.