DeLorean Mailing List - 12/06/95
Subjects:
Re:RPM relay, new DMC, rough idle
Transmissions
RE: Rough idle for first 3 minutes
Brake Pads
re: Rough Idle
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Subject: Re: RPM relay, new DMC, rough idle
Sent: 12/07 9:16 PM
Received: 12/05 6:10 AM
From: HAYES ALEXANDER CRAIG, hayesac@ucsub.colorado.edu
To: dmcnews, dmcnews@goodnet.com
Bringing the DeLorean back into production would be extremely
expensive, and I doubt the car would be very successful without being
totally re-engineered. One of the main causes of the failure of DMC was
the recession which took place in the early 80s. It was one of the worst
since the depression, so the demand for an exotic sports car dropped
quite a bit. Unfortunately, the DeLorean suffered from bad timing.
As for the RPM relay, that could very likely be the cause of a
non-starting problem. I had a non-start problem for about a year and
that is one of the many items I replaced. To see if your fuel pump is
operating properly, run a jumper wire across the RPM relay by connecting
terminals No. 87 and No. 30 (they are marked on the relay). If you hear
the fuel pump humming, you know that the system is fine past the relay
and that the relay should probably be replaced.
A rough idle in the first few minutes of operation could mean a bad
idle computer. If the engine does not rev up to about 1500 RPMs for the
first second or two after turning the key and then settle into an idle
around 800, this could very likely be the problem. The idle computer is
located behind the drivers seat under the panel in the luggage shelf. A
new one is around $250, but I had mine rebuilt by Netcom in New York for
around $170.
Good luck and happy driving,
-Alex
Subject: Transmissions
Sent: 12/05 2:24 AM
Received: 12/05 6:10 AM
From: Bobby Mims, BMims@tyler.net
To: dmcnews, dmcnews@goodnet.com
I have a 1981 DeLorean. It has an automatic transmission. I am
required to manually shift down to first gear and then into second. On the
road the transmission will shift up and down around 60 @4000 RPM. It is
erratic and I cannot control the un and down shifting at that speed and RPM.
I've been told that I need a new or repaired computer governor for the
automatic transmission. That's OK but I put an new one in (so Pat Wiley in
Garland, Texas told me) when the tranny was rebuilt about 2000 miles back (5
years ago). Help me make some sense of this. Do I really need a new
governor or is there something else that could cause it, i.e. vacuum line or
electronics. If not what are my options and possible costs?
Additionally, I had trouble for two years closing the right
passenger door. The mechanism grabbing the stub on the chassis was not
aligned so as to allow both ends of the door to close without jamming. I
finally removed one of them and the thing works perfectly now and no
jamming, however I only have one stub securing the closing of the door.
What about safety? Anyone have comments or suggestions about how to shade
tree an adjustment on this mechanism?
Since I've owned the thing (ten years) I've suffered from leaks
which flood the floors in the rain or car wash. How do I fix these problems?
I love my DeLorean and it never ceases to draw attention. I would
run my girlfriend off before I'd give up my DeLorean. I just need a little
help from my friends.
Thanks for a great page.
Sincerely,
Bobby Mims
Tyler, Texas
Subject: RE: Rough idle for first 3 minutes
Sent: 12/07 4:07 AM
Received: 12/05 6:10 AM
From: deneb@interaccess.com
To: dmcnews, dmcnews@goodnet.com
Robert Kerman writes:
>My 1981 Delorean now starts perfectly (after a new fuel accumulator, fuel
>pump, fuel filter, and relay kit), but it runs horably for about three
>minutes after a cold start. In fact you cant take your foot off the
>accelerator peddel for the first minute as it just wont idle over 600 RMP,
>and then for the next two minutes it sounds and feels like it is about to
>stall. Many times it does stall out but always restarts instantly.
>
>Then all of a sudden it purrs and idles perfectly between 850 and 950 RMP.
>If anyone has solved this problem let me know what did it please!
A couple of things can cause this to happen. The cold start valve and
two temperature switiches mounted out of reach on the manifold. The cold
start valve provides more gas to the engine on cold mornings. One of the
two temperature switches affects ignition timing. My car had a problem
with one of those switches, but it sounds to me like your problem might
be related to the cold start valve. Please let me know if you need more
detail about this, and I will look it up. It has been a while since I
have experienced this problem.
Bryan...
Subject: Brake Pads
Sent: 12/07 1:27 AM
Received: 12/05 6:10 AM
From: BRS6688@ACS.TAMU.EDU
To: dmcnews, dmcnews@goodnet.com
My Delorean needs new brake pads for both front and rear and also needs
new rotors for the front. Does anyone know a cross reference for the parts?
Hi/Lo and Napa don't have D's in their computers anymore so trying to find
the pads has been a bit of a hassle. Thanks for any info.
Burton
BRS6688@acs.tamu.edu
Subject: re: Rough Idle
Sent: 12/05 8:04 PM
Received: 12/05 2:49 PM
From: ChrisAU79@aol.com
To: dmcnews, dmcnews@goodnet.com
The easiest fix for this problem is to change to premium gas. Mine did the
same thing when I got it because the previous owner had used regular and mid
level gas. It won't cost you anymore because your mileage will improve to
cover the difference in price ( My experience ). The next thing to try is
replace the vacuum hoses. An easy and inexpensive task. Do them one at a time
and be careful to do them all. There is a diagram of them in the Tech. Owners
Guide / Parts manual, Section 2, Subsection 4, Group 0.
Good luck, Chris
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End of DMC-News Digest #047
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