Messages

31

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.

32

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: ZJ wiring question

« on: November 25, 2014, 09:31:16 pm »

It's funny - ordered the switch Saturday - since then the dimmer has worked to perfection - apparently Jeeps and VW's know when you're spending money on them and become more cooperative!

33

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Odd noise - only when going > 70MPH

« on: November 25, 2014, 09:29:35 pm »

Spot on - it's the under-hood light - was poking around for something loose - noticed that the area around it on the underside of the hood was shiny - schlepped some duct tape on it (underhood insulation is a bit, um, rough) - drove to Oberlin Ohio yesterday and home today - no noise!

34

Technical Advice and Questions / ZJ wiring question

« on: November 21, 2014, 07:35:38 pm »

Ok - I need to replace the dimmer switch on my ZJ - plan is to buy a new one and fix the old one - my question is - when these vehicles were  built did the wire harness include all options?  Currently I do NOT have driving lights - I'd like to add them - so I'm curious if I can avoid running wires and a switch by using something that is already in the vehicle.  I know I'll need to add a relay and lights - just wondering if I'll need to add the wiring, fuse and other stuff.

Cheers

Steve

35

Technical Advice and Questions / Odd noise - only when going > 70MPH

« on: November 18, 2014, 09:26:41 pm »

1997 ZJ 4.0 - driving home from Michigan today when going > 70 MPH (most of the states West of PA are posted at 70 SO I figure 10% over is OK), only when NOT using cruise control, I had a sound that for all the world sounded like a failing bearing.  When I stopped for gas (by the way, with the 40+MPH tail-wind on I80 in Ohio (dead freaking flat) I was getting 24MPG) I checked the accessory pulleys and serp belt - everything seems fine - when accelerating up to speed no noise until I exceeded 65MPH - any ideas?  The sound seemed to come from right in front of the glove box (doesn't seem to be anything noise worthy there) and again - sounded like a bearing on the brink of failure.  Once I pulled off the TP at RT 15 it was quiet all the way home down 15 and 194 to Abbottstown.  I've had her past 80 MPH before and didn't notice this noise.  Ideas welcomed (except suggestions to slow down).

Cheers

Steve

36

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Shop recommendations for gear work

« on: October 06, 2014, 08:03:24 pm »

it's a shame you can't do them yourself and save $600-$800

Thanks. I know the cost, but it needs done and it's beyond my scope.

You can do them yourself - you just need to accumulate the right tools.  A dial indicator, plastigauge and a micrometer are your friends for establishing pre-load and engagement patterns.  In 1978 I worked as a mechanic in a Plymouth dealership - I spent days just rebuilding differentials that had not been set up correctly at the factory - it took some patience and tools, but I set up many differentials at the dealership while keeping my 1963 SS 409 Impala screaming down the drag strip running a spool and a variety of gears - read up on whats required, accumulate the tools (sadly my dial indicator disappeared when my garage was broken into years ago or I'd lend it to you) and do the job - heck - even if you muck it up the howl will alert you to the mistake before any significant damage takes place!

Cheers

Steve

37

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Motor stalls

« on: October 05, 2014, 11:26:10 am »

to me it sounds like you're not putting out enough voltage at idle to keep your ignition working.  Check your grounds, rust, paint and under-hood goo aren't very effective conductors.  When you're sure the grounds are good check the voltage the alternator is putting out at idle - there's a wide range of quality when it comes to rebuilt electrical components - it can range from a quick bath in a part washing tank followed by a blast of fresh paint to a rue rebuild where the everything is inspected, bearings replaced, windings redone, reassembled and tested -

38

General Discussion / Re: Example of Jeep and social justice!

« on: October 01, 2014, 08:47:07 pm »

Normally I tend to agree with Rick (which is rare, I tend to be rather disagreeable by nature) - however - in to this instance the owner of the jeep was making a non-confrontational, peaceful statement regarding the behavior of the plastic-fantasitc driver which I (personally) feel was justified.  By occupying more than one parking space, convenient to the door, this jerk may have forced someone suffering from a medical condition to walk from out in the "cheap seats" to the door.  My father died of a non-hodgkins lymphoma some years back - incapacitated him but did not earn" him a handicapped tag - had this asswipe forced him to walk further than he needed to I'd have called a friend with a flat bed to haul the POS off to a south philly junkyard

cheers

Steve

39

General Discussion / Example of Jeep and social justice!

« on: September 25, 2014, 06:21:26 am »

https://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/jeep-owner-gets-last-laugh-corvette-drivers-greedy-233800315--abc-news-topstories.html

40

Technical Advice and Questions / Re: Won't go over 55 mph

« on: September 22, 2014, 06:40:24 pm »

late to the dance - but when was the last time you changed the fuel filter?  Could just be starving for gas.

41

Technical Advice and Questions / Dash light rheostat - '97 ZJ

« on: September 22, 2014, 06:38:58 pm »

1997 ZJ 4.0 - great vehicle - however - when I hit a bump my dash lights shut off (or dim) - if I tap the area next to the rheostat they'll come back on - this can be disconcerting when driving on PA highways at night - is there a known fix for this (other than replacing the switch cluster) - I'm fine with the dash lights being "full on" - meaning that by-passing the rheostat (or potentiometer, as the case may be) would be fine by me - just wondering before I dismantle the gauge panel to access the switch cluster.

Thanks

Steve

42

General Discussion / Re: Restaurant's we've ate at, found a good place let us know

« on: August 06, 2014, 06:35:07 pm »

Similar experience in Mexico (somewhere on the West coast of Baja in 1977)- line of locals in front of a hovel, all walking away with what appeared to be food, so, being young, stupid, hungry from a day of surfing and social, I stood in line and for about $1.25USD walked away with three fish tacos and a carta blanca (beer) - damn great food and didn't get sick.  Apparently they served food when they caught fish - place wasn't open the next couple of days and I was treking North to re-enter the great USA in time to make it back to Philly to start Drexel!

43

General Discussion / Re: Restaurant's we've ate at, found a good place let us know

« on: August 05, 2014, 08:16:54 pm »

When I travel, business or pleasure, I seek out where the locals go, served me well from Schwertberg Austria to Mexicali Mexico, from Orlando Florida to Beaverton Oregon.  It never ceases to amaze me how much better, cheaper and tastier the food is and how much better the company is when you hit a local joint.  Works really well if you can speak some basic phrases in the native language (especially helpful when seeking BBQ in the deep south!).  Really want to make friends?  Buy a round for the house in a local bar - you'll find friends, translators and local guides all for the cost of a drink or ten!


Cheers

Steve

44

General Discussion / Re: ROAD TRIP!!!!

« on: August 04, 2014, 06:31:41 pm »

My first "serious" road trip was cross country with a damned good friend (who passed of brain cancer two years ago) - it was 1982 - I was interviewing for grad school @ Cal Tech, John was starting as an EE @ Techtronics in Oregon - 1970 BWM 2002 Tii - radar detectors, radar jammers (after all, John was an EE) - what a blast, especially watching the cowboy slip on the drinks I puked out while leaving a casino .....

45

General Discussion / ROAD TRIP!!!!

« on: July 31, 2014, 05:09:18 pm »

  Ok - Abbottstown PA to Gouverneur NY then to the 1000 islands then to Rochester NY then back home - over 1300 miles @ 21.2 MPG in a 1997 ZJ 4.0 with a slushbox - along the way pulled a CRV out of the mud, enjoyed the really comfy leather seats, cruise control, fresh door seals (thanks to careless Kayak strapping) + the on-demand power of a 4.0 - great ride -
By the way - 390 through NY and the 4 lane sections of 15 reminded me of Austria and Germany - beautiful scenery, great pavement, very little traffic and few enough cops to run 85MPH much of the way!

Road trips - is there anything that better defines being American?

Cheers

Steve