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dmcnews-digest Friday, 28 March 1997 Volume 02 : Number 225
In this issue:
HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black DMC's Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Northern CA Owners!
Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black DMC's Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black
DMC's Cross Ref. & TIRES
Re: Squeaks, Warbles, Hiccups & ????
Re: Click Click Click
DeLorean Oxymoron?
Re:How to organize NJ events?
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Re: DeLorean Oxymoron?
Answer to Q's
Delorean Model Update
Re:Re: DeLorean oxymoron
Re: DeLorean Oxymoron?
associations and Dmc list
How to track a gas vapor leak?
Ray Haugs answers to my DOA questions (or lack thereof) Delorean frame
Re: gas vapor leak?
Running a DMC w/o a battery
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GullWinged@aol.com
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 20:08:41 -0500 (EST) Subject: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Well, here is another problem that I have known about for a while, but it wasn't
this bad before. NOW it is. All the electrics in my car will die periodically. I
believed this was being caused by the bolt that grounds the negative battery cable
to the frame becoming corroded. However, I am unsure of the whereabouts of this
bolt's connection to the frame. I do know that when I try to remove the battery,
at some point the movement causes everything to come back on again.
Can someone please tell me how to access this ground point? And should I disconnect
the battery before undoing this bolt and cleaning everything? Also, if anyone
has every had this problem and found it to be caused by something different,
please let me know.
It got so bad after last night's rain storm that I had everything go dead on my
three times while driving only two blocks! I MUST get it repaired ASAP or I am
afraid it will play havoc with my life as well as the car's electrical systems.
On a related note, I did jump start the car when it refused to start today. I
originally thought the alarm may have drained the battery, but was mistaken.
The engine ran quite rough, rocking the car a bit and making unusual detonation
noises. It refused to idle and the tach was not reading correctly. The also
voltmeter never reached past the quarter-way mark. I ran it around 3000 RPM or
higher (hard to tell with incorrect tach reading) for a while and eventually
let it go back to idling only to see the engine die and refuse to restart.
Afterward, I noticed wisps of smoke/steam coming from the driver's side of the
engine, as well as some black deposits on the ground where water drips from the
driver's side muffler exhaust pipe. Perhaps, burning oil on the outside of the
engine deposited by the typical PRV leaks (I haven't washed the car in a coupel
of months, so the deposits are worse than normal around the oil pan)?
I am guessing this was all caused by the battery not working and the engine
running straight off the alternator with almost no grounding, but am not sure.
Should I be worried this is a precursor to something else going bad? After I
jiggled the battery around in its compartment and got the connection working
again, the engine ran fine with no sign of any of the previous symptoms.
Thanks guys! As always, I am sure some of you will be a lifesaver!!
Chase Clark
------------------------------
From: "Marvin S. Sterling" Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 23:48:02 -0800
Subject: Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black DMC's
GullWinged@aol.com wrote:
>I have seen this question posted several times before, but have yet to see anyone
post an answer. For those of us wanting to repaint our front and rear fascias, how
can we safely remove the paint without harming the underlying plastic? I am planning
on repainting my car and do not want to just paint over the old red paint on each
fascia.
>Also, any of you who have seen a DeLorean which is painted black, woudl you please
email me regarding your opinion of how it looked. I have seen the photo of the one
on Takeuchi's DeLorean web site and it looks sharp, but I am wondering if the
all-black look provides too little contrast for the DMC-12?
>Thanks again everyone!
>Chase Clark
>"You always have new chances and new possibilities
eeach and every day when you are a Mac user."
- ---------------------------------------
Chase - when I bought my D, back in '84, the dealer had a black one on the floor.
It had been electro-painted by Consolidated ( the panels and louvre had been
removed, painted and replaced) . The dealer was asking $50,000 for it . It was
beautiful !
Regards,
Marv Sterling
------------------------------
From: "Marvin S. Sterling" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 00:11:27 -0800
Subject: Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
GullWinged@aol.com wrote:
>Well, here is another problem that I have known about for a while, but it wasn't
this bad before. NOW it is. All the electrics in my car will die periodically. I
believed this was being caused by the bolt that grounds the negative battery cable
to the frame becoming corroded. However, I am unsure of the whereabouts of this
bolt's connection to the frame. I do know that when I try to remove the battery,
at some point the movement causes everything to come back on again.
(SNIP)
>Thanks guys! As always, I am sure some of you will be a lifesaver!!
>Chase Clark
- -------------------------------------------
Chase,
I would guess that you have a battery or a battery connection problem. Jiggling
the battery about in the compartment should have no affect on the ground connection.
Make sure that the battery terminals are secure, the cable connectors tighht and
that the connector cables into the engine compartment are tight. I don't know why
the rain would cause a problem unless the D has a barometric sensor ... I have a
Chrysler land boat that had a bad barometric sensor, every time it rained the car
died or wouldn't start, also would barely climb hills ( in both cases the pressure
drops and the carb would not compensate ). The part was NA anywhere in the contry
so we had to build a new carb using parts from two others thereby cutting out the
computer in the carb area. Don't know if any of this is any help but we're trying.
Regards,
Marv
------------------------------
From: "Brandon S. Moody" Date: Tue, 25 Mar 97 12:18:30 PST
Subject: Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
>Well, here is another problem that I have known about for a while, but it wasn't
this bad before. NOW it is. All the electrics in my car will die periodically. I
believed this was being caused by the bolt that grounds the negative battery cable
to the frame becoming corroded. However, I am unsure of the whereabouts of this
bolt's connection to the frame. I do know that when I try to remove the battery,
at some point the movement causes everything to come back on again.
I had a similar problem on my Bricklin. I cleaned the terminals but that didn't
help. The problem turned out to be a short in the Battery itself. New battery,
problem fixed.
------------------------------
From: "Scott Mueller" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 97 12:51:43 UT
Subject: Northern CA Owners!
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I would like to know who else on the
list lives in Northern California. I have been frustrated by the fact that
there is not an owners group in my area. It is not practical for me to travel
to So. Cal. or Oregon for group events. I would be willing to help start a
club in No. Cal., with some help from the other potential members, so that
we to could enjoy the benifits of belonging and "participating" in a Delorean
Owners Club.
I have joined another car club to see what kind of events appeal to car owners
and to get a feel for what is involved in running a club. Let me tell you,
the people that organize these events have a thankless job, many hours of work
and there only compensation is being able to participate in these group events.
Sometimes, the members actually thank the leaders for all of there
hard work in producing fun and exciting events. Some of the events that the
Stray Cats Cougar Club have put on are as follows: 1-Catistoga, a road rally/poker
run near Calistoga. 2-Car shows/picinics, 3-Bud Brewery Tour,
4-Tech Clinics, 5-Border to Border Run, LA to Seattle tour with other clubs
joining on the way, which ends at a National Cougar Event (This will Happen
this Summer). This is just a sample of what they do.
I really have enjoyed these events, and the best part is that the Cougar Owners
tolerate my Delorean because it was originaly purchased from Golden
Bear Ford in Berkely.
If you are an Delorean owner, and are interested in starting a Northern California
Chapter, please E-Mail me. If you send your name and address/phone, I will put a
roster together. Also, I would like to know what
you would like this Nor-Cal club to be like, ideas for events? send info to:
SCOTTAMUELLER@MSN.COM
I will post a total of the responses that I get, and if you like, can distribute
the list when it is compiled, to all of the respondants.
Thanks everyone, I really enjoy this list and always learn something new.
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 09:01:33 -0500
Subject: Re: HELP! Electrical Grounding Problem?
Chase said (when he suspected his battery ground was loose):
>The engine ran quite rough, rocking the car a bit and making unusual detonation
noises. It refused to idle and the tach was not reading correctly. The also voltmeter
never reached past the quarter-way mark.
This does indeed remind me of the time I accidentally disconnected my battery while
the engine was still running. I instantly saw the same symptoms (although I saw no
smoke).
After observing it for 10 seconds or so, I considered that perhaps the alternator
does not put out a smooth DC current. My fear was that if the control computer &
instrumentation got some kind of square wave from the alternator, God knows what
effect it would have! It might even cause permanent damage to the computer!
I quickly reconnected the battery and the bad symptoms went away. Then I shut off
my engine and vowed never to try that stunt again. Fortunately, with a good battery
securely connected to the circuit my car still runs just fine.
Does anyone know what the alternator output looks like on an oscilloscope? Could
such a wave possibly damage the computer? I don't want to panic anyone, but I
would encourage Chase to repair that ground lead ASAP.
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: raddad@cmn.net
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 07:27:45 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black DMC's
Chase
THe first painted DMC I ever saw was a black beauty. It belonged to a fellow in
West Covina CA. It had been lowered as well. It was finished with a very subtle
dark blue/black pinstriping. Because it was all black,
the vertical black vents at the rear of the passenger compartment just "disappeared".
The car looked as if it was 24" tall. It was a very attractive car. Even though I
had my own DMC, I lusted over it for years. It was the best looking painted DMC I
had ever seen until this past weekend when I visited Rob Grady. His is equally
spectacular.
Dick Ryan
------------------------------
From: "Michael E. Gaines" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 09:46:27 -0500
Subject: Re: Removing Paint on Fascia & Black DMC's
raddad@cmn.net wrote:
>It was the best looking painted DMC I had ever seen until this past weekend
>when I visited Rob Grady. His is equally spectacular.
>Dick Ryan
Yup, Rob's car is sweet. He picked me up from the West Sayville train station in
it. He has the Ampzilla in his car which I personally wouldn't put in my car, but
is very impressive. The British Racing Green it's painted is better than other
painted DeLoreans I've seen. The worst paint job I've seen was a dull red. Bleh!
Mike
------------------------------
From: "Robert R. Salgueiro" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997
11:14:40 -0500
Subject: Cross Ref. & TIRES
Hi, my name is Robert (VIN#20095 that's right 10th from the last De Lorean ever
made). I was wondering if anyone knew of where I could get my hands on a cross
reference manual of Parts for the De Lorean. I found a set of tires for the D.
BFGoodrich Comp T/A R1. These tires look pretty slick. Just something else to
think about other than the Yokohamas.
------------------------------
From: James Nichols Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 15:10:37 +0000
Subject: Re: Squeaks, Warbles, Hiccups & ????
Chase Clark wrote:
My D brakes seemed rather weak when I bought the car a few years ago and when I
took it to the lake, on about a mile of gravel road, I noticed that the front
wheels were locking up every time that I stopped--no rear brakes, but the parking
brake was fine. I had the master cylinder rebuilt and that cured the problem. The
car has excellent brakes now. The master cylinder crosses to a late '70s Saab. I
didn't copy the casting number, but if that is the problem, a model of the 77, 78,
or 79 Saab is a place to start looking.
My steering wheel also makes scraping and rubbing noises especially in cold weather
when making sharp turns especially when backing. It seems to be around the dash near
the key area of the steering column. Since we only have about two months of cold
weather here in Texas, it really hasn't been much of a problem.
I adjusted my steering wheel tilt when I first got the car four years ago and
haven't had to touch it since.
Jim #6884
------------------------------
From: James Nichols Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 15:42:04 +0000
Subject: Re: Click Click Click
Before I retired, I didn't have a chance to drive my D every week, in fact sometimes
it sat in the garage for two months. That "click, click, click" sound reminded me
that I had not driven it in over six weeks, and a battery charger for a couple hours
was required. To see where the drain was I hooked up an ammeter and by pulling fuses,
found that the radio memory and the clock were both using electricity, a total of
nearly 50 milliamps, not much, but enough to drain the battery in a couple months.
I hooked up a 1.5 amp trickle charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter and
connected it to a timer that turns on for two hours each day and haven't heard a
"click" since.
Jim #6884
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 12:37:51 -0500
Subject: DeLorean Oxymoron?
I just found the following on the Internet. It is easy to find DeLoreans for sale,
but this one seems to be very unique:
>1981 DeLorean GULLWING CONVERTIBLE, 6 CYL, SILVER, 15,500 ORIGINAL MILES - To be
auctioned by Kruse International in Charlotte, NC, April 4 & 5, 1997. Lot No. 33
Kruse International Auctions
A gullwing convertible? How can that be? I once saw a picture of a DeLorean
convertible customization, but on that car the gullwing doors were long gone.
Has anyone ever seen the car described in this ad?
- - Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: Marc Levy
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 08:48:47 -0500
Subject: Re:How to organize NJ events?
>With all this talk about getting chapters started, etc. I was =wondering
>what it takes to get ANY kind of NJ/NY/PA/CT chapter started;=20
There is a NJ, and NY "Group" that has removed themselves from the DOA. I was a
member of the NJ "group" and received flyers every few months. I have not received
any in quite a while, and also have not received any = request for club dues. I am
guessing that the organizer has given up. = I am not sure of the status of the New
York group, but you may want to = call Rob Grady about it. He should be able to get
you in touch with any =
group organizers.
As far as technical information, and resources for DeLorean owners, I dont think a
club is really necessary in today's information age. Web = pages, and the DML
(Thanks James!!) are more than adequate. A local = club would be nice for social,
and show activities.
>I see the meeting in New Hope, PA which I'm very interested in. Hope to see some
of you there.
New Hope? I would love to flood New Hope with a few dozen DeLoreans... They
exclude Deloreans from their car shows!
Marc
------------------------------
From: WINGD2@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 23:41:33 -0500 (EST) Subject: Stainless Steel Brake Lines
On a different subject, A while back I posted some info on a SS brake line kit
I'm having made for the Delorean. Anyone else interested in one of
these kits for their car can place an order for $120 ea plus $5 shipping. This is
wholesale cost from Goodridge Co for this one time order. Retail is
going to be $174 per kit. (you save enough on the brake lines to pay for a model
kit) I'm going to place the order by April 11th so we can get these made. Delivery
is approx 2 weeks after order. Email me if you want a set. Send your checks and
a shipping address to the same place as the models.
Thanks, Marty Maier
------------------------------
From: BRUCE BENSON Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 01:06:31 +0000
Subject: Re: DeLorean Oxymoron?
>>1981 DeLorean GULLWING CONVERTIBLE, 6 CYL, SILVER, 15,500 ORIGINAL MILES - To
be auctioned by Kruse International in Charlotte, NC, April 4 & 5, 1997. Lot No.
33 Kruse International Auctions
>Mike Substelny
When Detroit stopped building convertibles in the mid 70's an aftermarket
industry began in the convertible conversion business. One such shop was
located in suburban Minneapolis. In the early 80's there was an article about
this shop in the local news paper and in the article was the mentioning of the
shop owner being a good friend of Tommy Hearns, the boxer.
Tommy owned a DeLorean and the shop owner was trying to talk him into converting
it into a convertible. Maybe he did!
Bruce Benson
------------------------------
From: Mpeak@aol.com
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 00:07:47 -0500 (EST) Subject: Answer to Q's
Chase,
1. I've heard replacing the rear pads are as easy as your MG's
2. The front caliper kit is Girling part SP2589, piston 19-1156. The rear
caliper kit is Girling SP2697, piston 19-1013.
3. I've seen pictures of a black Delorean. It's beautiful, but by far my favorite
is British racing green like Rob Grady's.
4. As far as the squeaking clutch pedal goes, I've heard that noise a couple
of times on my car, usually after I've been driving in traffic (frequent clutch
use). In one of Rob Grady's advertisements, he lists the following:
Tech Tip: Our service technicians apply a thin 50/50 mixture of wheel bearing
grease and anti-sieze compound to the contact surfaces of the T/O bearing, clutch
tube, primary shaft splines and clutch pivot fork. We always
replace the clutch fork grease seal when servicing the clutch. This ensures
smoother pedal engagement and eliminates clutch fork squeaking.
Hope that helps.
Matt Peak
------------------------------
From: WINGD2@aol.com
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 23:41:30 -0500 (EST) Subject: Delorean Model Update
Here's the latest on the Delorean models. Somebody from the mailing list, who wants
to remain anonymous, has come forward to bankroll this project. An order has been
placed for 25 basic kits (which are the body unit,
with the engine cover and rear louvers only). These kits require a BTTF model
(NOT included) as a "donor" to build a stock Delorean model car in 1/24 scale
plastic. The "deluxe" kits that were listed in the prior mailing list will not be
produced.
Of the 25 kits ordered, 10 kits are already sold. The remaining 15 kits
are still available to anyone who is interested. If you want one of these kits,
send me a check or money order for $40ea plus $5 shipping (total $45)
for each kit you want. These remaining kits are being sold on a first come
first serve basis. Any money recieved after all the kits are sold will be returned.
These kits are currently scheduled for production starting in May
with expected deliveries to be in June. All monies I recieve for these kits
will be held until production starts. Once production starts these monies will be
deposited for payment of the order.
Make checks or money orders payable to: Marty Maier
Mail to: Marty Maier
704 Valley Drive
East Alton, Illinois 62024
Include with your order your name and mailing/shipping address. Also give me your
e-mail address so I can respond.
I'll post the progress of this project on the mailing list as info becomes available.
Thanks, Marty
------------------------------
From: Mike Substelny Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 08:55:42 -0500
Subject: Re:Re: DeLorean oxymoron
Bruce said:
>Tommy (Hearns) owned a DeLorean and the shop owner was trying to talk him into
converting it into a convertible. Maybe he did!
Granted, the Hearns car may be the convertible DeLorean I once saw in a magazine
(may have been DeLorean World).
But the car I saw in that photo had been retrofitted for conventional door hinges.
How in heck can you make a convertible with gullwing doors? I can't even picture it!
- -Mike Substelny
------------------------------
From: "Brandon S. Moody" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 97 09:54:53 PST
Subject: Re: DeLorean Oxymoron?
>>1981 DeLorean GULLWING CONVERTIBLE, 6 CYL, SILVER, 15,500 ORIGINAL MILES - To
be auctioned by Kruse International in Charlotte, NC, April 4 & 5, 1997. Lot No.
33 Kruse International Auctions
>A gullwing convertible? How can that be? I once saw a picture of a DeLorean
convertible customization, but on that car the gullwing doors were long gone.
Your guess is as good as mine, but I saw an add not long ago in a local car trader
that read:
1984 Delorean Gullwing T-TOP. Very rare car, only 2 were made. etc......
Hmmmmm ?
------------------------------
From: "Guy V. Boutet" Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 21:46:50 -0800
Subject: associations and Dmc list
In regard to some comments I have recently read about the DOA on this mailing
list, I want to write a few words on the subject. Everytime I have been related
to any association or 'non profit' groups, I always have been really disappointed
as I noticed that in every case there is a small group of persons who takes their
profit in a way or another, due to their position in the group. I finally decided
to drop any of these groups (I usually acted as treasurer or so) and then saw too
much bad things.
I discovered, since a few months, that the BEST ASSOCIATION we can have is THIS
MAILING LIST, simply because mostly everyone, who writes or is involved in any
way, do it TO HELP OTHER DeLorean owner. I am glad to have the opportunity to
read this list as it is very helpful. I keep every list on archive and I am
actually classifying every technical information by subjects.Other owners'
experiences and hints are invaluable.
Thanks to all!!!
Guy V. Boutet
1981 VIN 4155
------------------------------
From: Starman
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 19:17:21 -0500 (EST) Subject: How to track a gas vapor leak?
Hi all,
On and off since I've had my car, the cockpit smells of gas vapors. Not a trace of
gas anywhere under the car. The only evidence I have was once I removed the underside
baffle wall that protects the gas tank. There was a spongy material on it that was
soaked in gas, yet no evidence of where it came from. Does anyone have any ideas
about where the gas could be leaking. The problem is that it comes from the front
half of the car only. I never smell it in the rear of the cockpit or in the engine.
Mike
------------------------------
From: Louis Weiland
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 97 14:03:50 -0000
Subject: Ray Haugs answers to my DOA questions (or lack thereof)
Ray Haug, the DOA board member who was so quick to respond to my earlier posting,
hasn't said a peep about my latest posting or answering the questions - sticking
your head in the sand will NOT make the DOA's image problems go away, Ray! Even
though all the people on the list are not members of the DOA, they are ALL
potential members and should be assured the DOA and its board is serving the
interests of the members.
>>National Board meeting the first Sunday of each month in the Peterson Museum
(See the Web Page), and see first hand what it really takes to run the
>Why not show us what it takes Ray? All of us can't fly/drive to LA from around
the country - why not post the minutes of your meetings on the web or here on
this list (you do have minutes of these meetings, right?). Why is the DOA so
secretive about its dealings? Remember that the DOA is SUPPOSED to be an
international club - why is it so So. Cal. oriented?
I'm told that the DOA does have minutes of these meetings, on a computer no less!
It would easy for the DOA to post them on their web pages or to post them to the
list here. Why are they so unwilling to show us what goes on behind the doors at
the Petersen Automotive Museum? Sure, we're all welcome to "come out to LA" and
see for ourselves. And the board wonders why people get the impression they're
hiding something from the membership.
(SNIP)
>What you're conveniently leaving out here is that the Chapter 12 meetings are
held DURING the regular board meetings - I understand the Chapter 12 meeting
even has its own place on the "National Board Meeting" agenda...how many non-board
members attend the Chapter 12 meeting, Ray? (and no, I don't want to count the
spouses of the sitting board members).
Ray's lack of response to this question is puzzling. Here he has an opportunity
to show how strong Chapter 12 is and how many non-board members take part in the
meetings...unless maybe the only active Chapter 12 participants are board members
and spouses. In that case, maybe he can see why people think the DOA is just a
vehicle for the So. Cal. chapter.
(SNIP)
>For those of you who don't know Ray - he sits on the DOA board,with his wife
Marcie (the DOA products director). Ray also runs Chapter 12 (Chapter 12's
immediate past president is Ed Bernstein). Incidentally, I'm told that the Ray
is the odds on favorite to be the next president of the DOA. Interesting, as to
my knowledge, the nomination process for the upcoming elections has not even
started yet.
>Ray, would you care to explain to us ALL how the nomination process works?
More damning still is Ray's lack of response to this question. According to the
DOA by-laws (IMO, these should also be posted on the DOA web pages), the president
of the DOA (currently Ed Bernstein) creates a nominating committee made up of
CURRENT board members. In effect, the board nominates the next slate of candidates!
Incestuous, isn't it?
More food for thought...
Louis Weiland
------------------------------
From: HOTALASKAN@aol.com
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 00:32:06 -0500 (EST) Subject: Delorean frame
I am reposting this ad. I have a 81 delorean frame for sale. I have check around
and new frames are listed at $4700. for a auto and $3700.for a manu one. The one
I have is for a auto. Will consider all offers over $2500. Thanks
------------------------------
From: GullWinged@aol.com
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 01:31:45 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: gas vapor leak?
>On and off since I've had my car, the cockpit smells of gas vapors. Not a trace
of gas anywhere under the car. The only evidence I have was once I removed the
underside baffle wall that protects the gas tank. There was a spongy material on
it that was soaked in gas, yet no evidence of where it came from. Does anyone have
any ideas
Mike:
I have had the vapor smell before in my DeLorean, but only after filling it up
with gas, and generally only if I fill it ALL the way to full. I assume that the
fill tube is not generally designed to have gas sitting in it and therefore lets
the smell escape and it enters the car. Solution: I just don't fill the tank up
quite so full.
Perhaps you have a hole somewhere in this tube?
Chase Clark
------------------------------
From: GullWinged@aol.com
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 01:31:51 -0500 (EST) Subject: Running a DMC w/o a battery
>After observing it for 10 seconds or so, I considered that perhaps the alternator
does not put out a smooth DC current. My fear was that if the control computer &
instrumentation got some kind of square wave from the alternator, God knows what
effect it would have!
Well, I have a little bit of news here. The wave can create damage (AND perhaps
repair), but I do not know if any of it is permanent.
The weather was nicer the past two days and the car ran perfect both days. Actually
it sounded a little smoother than normal, but I might be imagining things. There
are three apparent effects of running the car for about 10 minutes when the battery
cables were not making proper contact someplace.
1) My Alpine CD receiver no longer works. The fuses in the fuse box are fine and
everything running off the same circuits are fine. I am guessing that one of the
inline fuses to the radio behind the center console blew and will investigate
that this weekend.
2) When my cooling fans kicked in yesterday afternoon they sounded quieter than
I remember them being last summer. Once again I might be imagining things. However,
I also may have had the electrics to one fan go bad. Unsure yet, but will check
that out at the same time as the radio.
3) And lastly, my fuel gauge appears to be reading more accurately than normal!
Mine tended to rarely go past 7/8 a tank and had a liking for 1/4 tank and then
bottoming out to empty quickly. I filled it up yesterday and drove about 35 miles.
The fuel gauge read 100% full and dropped about 1/8 a tank by the time I reached
home. Seems just about right for once. Who knows if it will last though and I am
NOT recommending this technique as a way to fix a tempermental gauge.
As far as the electrical problem goes. It is periodic and was discovered when I
tried unsuccessfully for months to install an alarm. Now I know the alarm was not
the problem. That it was the car's electrics that kept setting it off. It looks
like rain tonight so I will know tomorrow if the weather actually does affect this
recurring problem. Either way, I hope to trace both the positive and negative
cables this weekend and clean up all related connection points. I may even try to
supply the battery with a second grounding point on the frame just to be extra safe.
I checked the parts manual for location of the negative ground connection to the
frame and think I have a clue even though it is not shown very well in the manual.
Thanks again everyone!!
Chase Clark
Apple is the power to open doors, not just "windows".
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