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Topics - SteveTheFolkie

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1
Technical Advice and Questions / central display and interior lights
« on: June 03, 2017, 07:09:52 pm »
Recently removed my central display (irritating thing in the lower central part of the dash/console on my 97 ZJ) - noticed the other night that my interior lights don't work and my CEL is on constantly - could there be a connection?

Cheers

Steve

2
Technical Advice and Questions / Steering wheel replacement
« on: December 03, 2016, 11:09:01 am »
Ok - I know that this isn't sanctioned by the government but that's their problem not mine - were I to replace the steering wheel in my ZJ with a Grant aftermarket wheel would it be possible to jumper the airbag plug so that the passanger side airbag would still be functional and so the airbag light wouldn't come on?
I'd really like to change the wheel on my Grand, don't give a hoot about cruise control and have never been a fan of airbags.

Cheers

Steve

3
Technical Advice and Questions / 97 ZJ coolant sensor resistance
« on: October 06, 2016, 07:42:24 am »
Anyone know what the resistance should be for a properly operating coolant level switch on a '97 ZJ?  If I leave it plugged in I get an occasional "coolant sensor bad" message; if I disconnect it the message is constant; if I jumper the plug (complete the circuit) I get a constant "coolant level low" - obviously the correct resistance is somewhere between zero and infinity.
I check my underhood fluids every time I fill up (habit my father instilled in me 50+ years ago) - if I knew what resistance was "normal and correct" I'd just buy a resistor and put it in the circuit, abandoning the switch.
thanks much


steve

4
Technical Advice and Questions / transfer case ID
« on: July 20, 2016, 07:50:20 pm »
Ok - potentially dumb question - I have a '97 ZJ - the shifter would indicate that it's a 242 tcase - I've never been able to have it 4WD all time - now a "technician" at sprawlmart made a mistake, thought the t-case shifter was the e-brake - since then the "part time" light has been illuminated on the message board above the console.
I assume that adjustment different for the 231 or 242 cases - from under the jeep what's the easiest way to figure out which t-case I have and what's the best way to make the adjustment?
It is NOT in 4WD - I drove it through some mud and gunned it - only the rears turned - then pulled the lever into 4WD H - fronts spun as well - then 4WD Lo - again - one front and 2 rears spun (it's got the factory LSD in the rear) - but I'd like to fix the indicator in case someone other than I needs to drive it.

Thanks in advance

Steve

5
Technical Advice and Questions / 1997 ZJ 4.0 5spd conversion
« on: June 28, 2016, 09:58:13 pm »
Question - do any of you have experience replacing an automatic trans with a 5 speed?  I drive my '97 ZJ about 190 miles a day commuting (yes, that's right, 190 miles a day at 18.3mpg) - given the roads I'm on I'd prefer a manual trans (most of the vehicles I've owned were manuals) - other than the obvious (flywheel, bell housing, clutch assembly and the transmission itself), given how "computer bound" these vehicles are is it even possible (without resorting to a mallory dual point ignition and a holley 2bbl carb), thereby ridding the vehicle of all computer dependence)?
I suppose that re-gearing would be in order as well, as I'd lose the multiplying effect of the torque converter .... as full  disclosure it's sitting on a 2" lift with 31's - not dedicated to the idea (been considering a diesel swap with a manual as well) - but just pondering the probability - as this isn't going to be as cut and dried as plugging a 454 into a '67 impala ...

Cheers

Steve

6
Spotted this at the ARM East of GB on Route 30 - it has been there for quite a while (> 6 months) - looks great for 20 feet - paint shows some orange peel when you get up close and personal - anyhow - if this isn't the appropriate forum relocate it -

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/stevehorn1/library/Jeep%20Wagon%20For%20sale

7
Work In Progress / New shocks and a boost for the ZJ!
« on: December 10, 2015, 06:30:21 pm »
Will post pictures tomorrow (when it's back together!) - new shocks and a 2" budget boost (spacers) for the ZJ - not "radical" but hey - we're only in the 2nd year of our relationship!  Vacillating between 30/9/5 and 31/10.5's on stock wheels - leaning towards the 31's sometime after the holidays (come on Santa!!!!).

8
General Discussion / Squirrel through the turn signal!
« on: October 29, 2015, 06:40:15 pm »
Here's one for the record books (wish I had a dash cam to have recorded this!) - driving along on a 2 lane road - spot a bald eagle in a tree - dead squirrel about 200 meters ahead of me on the road - eagle swoops down to pick up the squirrel - I nail the brakes - apparently the sound startled the eagle who dropped the squirrel and passed about 3" over my windshield (talons extended!) - squirrel took out the drivers side turn signal lens ....

I pulled off the road for a bit to recover before heading on my way!

I've been hit by eagle poop before (covered the windshield of my 70 VW Bug) - but never by an animal DROPPED by an Eagle!

Cheers

Steve

9
Technical Advice and Questions / 1997 ZJ 4.0 cuts out once in a while
« on: October 29, 2015, 06:36:00 pm »
1997 ZJ - 200K on the clock - every once in a while, at a stop light or sign, the revs will drop and, if I don't pop it into neutral, die.  Re-starts at once.  No impact from weather (hot, cold, dry, wet, it'll die) - no CEL thrown, performance is the same as it has been since I bought it at 150K - plugs fresh last summer - might replace the cap, rotor and wires just to be sure.  Ideas?

10
Vendor Feedback / Experiences / Light buckets - '97 ZJ
« on: October 21, 2015, 05:51:39 pm »
ordered new light housings from Quadratec for my '97 ZJ - 20 minutes to install (15 on the first following instructions, 5 min on the 2nd ignoring them) - what an improvement - no longer feels like I'm holding a Bic lighter out the window at night!  $26 per side - gave the old gal a new life - or at least a new way to view life at night!  Pattern is good and apparently non-offensive (matters to me) -
Got new shocks and a lift kit at the same time - had a TIA episode last week so installation  is on hold until I get a clean bill of health from the doc - hope to get that tomorrow (10.22.2015) - if you're behind a ZJ with a "vintage" 4 wheel drive" sticker on it's tush that's me - give a wave but not a blink!

Cheers

Steve

11
Technical Advice and Questions / 97 ZJ OBD1 code 12
« on: September 06, 2015, 12:38:30 pm »
When I go on long (>6 hour) highway trips it's inevitable that I'll get a CEL code of 12 "12 - Direct battery input to PCM was disconnected within the last 50 Key-on cycles. " - curious how the direct battery input to the PCM can be disconnected while doing 80MPH on I81!  Any ideas?  It doesn't impact performance and I'm still getting 19MPG on trips to/from Gallatin TN (where, by the way, the gas is $1.97 gal) - just like to figure out why on long road trips I throw the same CEL!

cheers

Steve

12
Technical Advice and Questions / CEL 1997 ZJ 4.0
« on: June 18, 2015, 06:56:30 pm »
Had a CEL come on on my '97 ZJ 4.0 - any way to read this without an OBD2 computer hookup?  Funny thing is - CEL came on - performance and mileage improved (from 18.9 to 19.6!) - not sure if I want to "Fix" what's wrong or just put some tape over the CEL!

Cheers

Steve

13
General Discussion / QX 80 and a Compass
« on: April 28, 2015, 10:26:25 pm »
Ok - I travel on business frequently, when I rent a vehicle I try to rent an SUV, as my DD is a ZJ, last week I had an Infinity QX 80 - terrible vehicle - obviously designed for those holding an MBA rather than a STEM (Science, Technology,Engineering, Math) degree - electronic nannies warned you when someone was intruding into your "space" (on I35 near Austin Texas a common thing), did that self braking thing and had a nav system that someone holding a masters in computer science (yours truly) couldn't figure out (although to the audience who lays down 60K for a behemoth the function is probably obvious) -
Contrast that with the Jeep Compass I drove to/from Rochester NY today - for a road vehicle it was a nice day trip (10 hours plus) companion - got something I'd never gotten with a Jeep before (good gas mileage) - although when I took it on a mild dirt road it didn't articulate very well - darned independent suspension! - but I felt more at home in the Compass than I did in the Infinity (might be my proletariat roots!_
Anyhow - I'll still take my ZJ - but in a pinch - the Compass is still a more competent vehicle than the yuppie infinity -

Damn glad I have a BS in math, MS in comp sci and a PhD in statistics rather than an MBA - I'd have a hell of a time adapting to a QX80!

Cheers

Steve

14
Technical Advice and Questions / NP242 won't go out of 4WD
« on: March 19, 2015, 06:48:55 am »
Morning,

Here's an odd one - '97 ZJ - goes into low range, neutral, full time and part time but does NOT seem to shift out of 4wd (get that binding tug at the wheel when making tight turns) - going to crawl under it Saturday to see what's going on, but what's the procedure for adjusting the shifter (if that's the culprit)?  I can run it in full time 4wd, I understand, but prefer to get 18MPG rather  than 14MPG.

Thanks in advance

Steve

15
Vendor Feedback / Experiences / Lincoln way automotive
« on: March 11, 2015, 06:34:34 pm »
I started going to Lincoln Way during my Saab days - Dave (owner) has, on a consistent basis, treated me right, be it a 1985 Saab 900 SPG that needed a fuel line to my '97 Grand that needed an alternator and serp belt - Abbottstown may be a small town - but this shop treats a customer right. :)

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