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This is what greated me as wen to the car when I finally got out of bed at noon (bloody painkillers knock me to pot!)  So I put my head under the front and found the lower radiator hose had let go! It must have been at the weekend when the old girl give me a steam clean(yuck!) The hose was disconnected at the water pump end and I shoved a storage container under to collect all the fluid to see what condition it wsa in. A little more done on the wiring while I let the coolant drain for the old girl.  Here is coolant, very murky and I think I did have antifreeze in there which would have been orange. Also a reminder that my radiator is copper core not alloy (Thinking of my father the plumber when he drains heating systems down) There was a few drops of power steering fluid in the tub, but that was dripping from the cars frame off the when I removed the power steering pump. So nothing to worry about oil and waer mixing!  I will pick some fresh anti-freeze up when I am out tomorrow on my way to the metro centre car meet(Last in season at the metro centre). But I will need to get a new 'U' bend to correct a mistake I made on the hose assembly. It appears that the 'U'bend was just a few mm bigger than the outlet on the radiator. So even though I had used gasket paste on the connection and really tightened the jubilee clip up, it was only a matter of time before it went. Well I had beeter tidy up and get a ready, I'm popping to the North East Street Rod Club meet at the 'OK' Diner at the Hartlepool/Elwick services on the A19. ({url]http://adimages.co.uk/nesc/[/url]) ReSo I will post photos later in the usual place. |
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I had to go hunting for this delivery as the delivery driver let one of the neighbours who never normally taken other neighbours parcels in. I purchased these of a chap on ebay UK and couldn't resist at the price paid for them! Rocky got drool over these before I did, mucky pup! :lol:    Then a few minutes after to postie had been, another knock at the door. Yes it has finally arrived the replacement Power Steering Pulley :dance:  I have ordered new 'U' bend hose for the lower radiator hose assembly, so that is coming via royal mail in a day or so. I will be heading upto the Metro Centre at Gateshead for the last big free meet of the year, pictures will be posted up later. |
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Oct 11, 2013 19:45:31 GMT
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For the past couple of days we have had gale force winds and driving rain(possibly sleet as well). To avoid transmission oil getting all over in my little tool shed, I had placed the container with the power steering pumps etc out side on a bench next to the shed, and placed a bottle half filled with oil on top of the lid to hep hold it down. I wasn't expecting something to fall on and through the lid!  I can't remember which pump is which! But one was in a plastic lined envelope (thank god for bubble wrap padded envelopes) as one wasn't and was drowned :cry:  I fitted the new pulley to the dry one, I only hope it's in good working order.  As the postie brought yet another parcel for me, I decided to leave the power steering for another day. This was because the parcel contained two new 'U' bends one 32mm the other 35mm, which was to replace the 38mm. A bit of work and the 32mm was used as it made a very nice tight connection. I don't want to be working in puddles if I get the chance at the weekend. Lower radiator hose assembly refitted. Fitting the Power steering pump next, I hope! |
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During the short break in thew weather this afternoon, I managed to fit the
power steering pump, fit the accessories belt and make sure it was nice and
tight. The Cooling system was fulled with tap water to flush the system out.
The battery was connected, but I must have wired something up incorrectly
as the old girl would unlock here central locking,m and that's it! If you put
the key in the ignition, and try to start her. Nothing would happen. And then
the central locking wouldn't lock!
I locked all the doors, then disconnected the battery before it started to rain
again. I wasn't going to even look at the wiring as I was wrecked with doing
what I did in such a short space of time! Plus some git has given me their
cold. My immune system is shot to hell to begin with, so I'm going to kill the
git who spread their germs onto me!!! :ireful:
Just less than 2 weeks to Ryhope Classic and custom, then there is Whitby
Kustom the following Sunday. I was hoping to ge the old girl to both of them
but it is looking less likely, especially as the forecast is for more rain with the
temperature dropping even further :sad:
Just remembered that the car insurance is due the beginning of November, and
no details about renewal cost from the broker!
Things left to do before/for MOT NOT including if power steering pump is bust!
* Wiring in engine bay to sort out with immobilizer.
* Switch plugs over on right front abs sensor and power steering switch
(as plugged in wrong )
* Wheel camber needs to be unified
* Screen Wash System
* Spare wheel?
* License plate Light bulb replacement
* Tow bar Electrics check/rewire as necessary
* Instrument Cluster(apart from rev counter) needs to work & no fault lights
* Clear out car ready for inspection
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Oct 16, 2013 13:20:42 GMT
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Sorry not been too clever lately this cold is knocking my diabetes to pot as well!!
I have with a process of elimination figured out where problem is with the car .
Yes I have messed up on the changing over of the ECU plugs from Voyager to
intrepid. At least I know it is a wiring issue and that the car was running in that
ECU.
Bad news is the weather forecast looks bad for the next week or so! More delays!
Good News, I had my letter from the insurance broker Sykes, and my insurance
has gone down to £363 , 10 months of £39.90 which is far cheaper than last
year. While my brothers insurance has gone up by over £200 :lol: for the same
details.
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Oct 16, 2013 20:02:13 GMT
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Well I was looking for paperwork relating something else when I came across a bank statement for August just gone. I looked at what I was paying for the last insurance cover for the neon. £62.90 for 10 months for November 2012 to October 2013 £39.90 for 10 months For November 2013 to October 2014 Considering everybody else usually goes up I didn't expect that much of a drop in price! £23.00 X 10 = £230.00 If I was paying for road tax that would have covered it  as it stands that is now going to be in the fuel tank fund to pay for trips to shows and meets. So that is a big thank you to grahamsykes.co.uk/ |
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Oct 17, 2013 19:27:20 GMT
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As the weather was good, even if I wasn't I did make a start on the car. There was another miss wire due to me not being able to see the colour difference between two wires. I also took the chance to remove that little board that was supposed to give the rev signal for the tach. Yep it was fried!  Another reaso n for the old girl not turning over was that the wiring loom had stopped the gear selector arm getting into park properly. The loom has been moved out of the way but now the gear cable will need adjusting again. I managed to get to crank the engine but she wouldn't fire up. The temperature sensor must be fecked well and truly, as the dash gauge went off the scale and the ecu had the fans blowing full pelt. There was signal to the relay and power to the relay for the fuel pump but that wouldn't engage unless relay bypassed! What the feck is going on? This all worked no problem before! |
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Oct 18, 2013 23:33:19 GMT
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This little temp sensor has been a right royale pain in the rear today! Derek and the guys at Sewells tried their best, but Chrysler had really stacked the cards in the past when it comes to replacement parts. Now made worse by as the dealer put it "fiat taking over control of The Chrysler Group" Derek's computer gave him the same information that all none chrysler/dodge run garages and dealerships get, which is wrong! I even showed Derek and the guys the actual sensor to compare with what they told was the correct sensor.    The info they were presented with for all mk1 neons and other vehicles that might use the same sensor was for a squared plug 2 pin/wire sensor. It was clear that my next stop to track down a new sensor was the dealership has now changed from being a merc and chrysler, to a fiat/alfa/saab and then chrysler/dodge dealership. The fiat dealership stated it would have to be ordered especially from Italy not the USA! the cost of the new sensor over £40, and they didn't say if that included tax or shipping. Rockauto were cheaper on cost at £6.25 but add postage of £18.63 then 20% tax. Still cheaper but too long a delay as bot 2 weeks from ordering to receiving. There are a couple on ebay by British sellers, I have emailed details of the original sensor and explained the incorrect info that all most all but the dealers have, asking to identify what they have. one is £16 the other around the £25 mark. If they have the correct one I could have it by Wednesday. After reading a thread on the neons.org regarding the solid state relay and how the ecu uses only one wire for pulse control of the fans to generate the effect of having two speeds(I think thats how I read it)it brings up a question of fan control with the intrepid ecu. The intrepid has to output wires to control the fans, I assume possibly i incorrectly that one will be for slow and the other high fan speeds. any idea on how to get around this problem. |
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I finally got the info on those sensor which are supposed to be for the mk1 neon. And they are not suitable as they are the 2 pin/wired type of sensor. So rather than mess around I have gone onto rockauto and placed my order there. Delivery 1 to 6 business days.  It has been too cold and wet to even touch the old girl. And I'm not too well myself, so getting Christine ready for the Ryhope Car Show is looking slim to impossible. Whitby Kustom might still be possible, that is if I am luck(don't hold your breath!) |
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While the temp sensor is currently in Houston TX and it will be a few days till I get to install it. I though t it might be an idea to look at the Radiator fan & it's wiring, and ask for some suggestions on how it might be done. Here is the wiring setup which is in the Dodge Intrepid. As you can see from the diagram it has 2 separately operated fans one high speed and the other low speed. I do not want mine like this! And the fans fitted are universal which re on or off, and both are exactly the same high output.  So I have put together a basic diagram as a starting point so anybody can have a think about this and suggest idea on how to replace the pulse control relay setup of the neon's old ecu, which will not work with the Intrepid's ecu .  Sensible suggestions remember that what vehicles might be available in the local scrapyard (if I'm ever able to get there) And IF I have to buy parts off the internet or ebay I am within a few quid of my overdraft limit! Weather not been to nice, the rain has been that heavy the leaves have been shredded off the trees! |
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Oct 22, 2013 19:35:39 GMT
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Oct 23, 2013 11:51:27 GMT
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Think you'll make it to the next OK diner?  Looks like you're ploughing on quickly now, hope you get things sorted. |
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Oct 23, 2013 22:42:58 GMT
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I will be using the Volvo for the next meet due to what I found today! The rockauto temp sensor arrived today so the minute the rain stopped it was up with the bonnet. She was fighting me every step of the way, it looks like the gear selector cable and leaver are causing problems, by not putting her into park. then the leaver wouldn't stay in first or park. I will need to remove the metal framework that is the battery tray, fuse box and transmission ecu mount.(and the wiring loom is wrapped around it!) I managed to get the car into park and get the bloody v6 to crank but would not fire up properly, and when she did it was for a few seconds at a time and asthmatic before dying! Another battery flattened. The old saying "you wait ages for a bus, then three come along at once!" has just happened with mk1 neon temp sensors, a lot of 13 new temp sensors for the same price as just one temp sensor, and the p&p was almost £10 cheaper than rockauto. I couldn't resist and at least I will have a spare :rofl: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TS385-TS-385-temperature-sensor-lot-of-13-Dodge-Plymouth-Neon-95-99-/390680108420?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=nBIE9DrboQwl%252F%252F4eWa9lUzu%252BEEI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc |
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Oct 24, 2013 22:00:25 GMT
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After seeing what weather the USA is getting, and that we Brits get it a few weeks later.
I thought it best not to touch the electrics first but to drain the cooling systems on both
my old girl and mothers Volvo and get some anti-freeze them asap!
The Neon was done very easily, and quickly the Volvo wasn't straight forward, it didn't
take all its liquid as the upper rad hose had disintegrated inside and created a blockage,
when I had the thing running it didn't build up pressure and then the rad hose split.
So thats 2 cars off the road, I'm not touching dad's discovery. Volvo hose ordered!
I don't know if it was a reaction to the anti-freeze or something else but my health went
south faster than a (insert appropriate regional saying here :lol:)
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The Idle Air Control Valve arrived this morning, but the wind from a bonfire was blowing smoke over the car for most of the day. I eventually old one which came out in bits! I think this might have been the reason for bad idle I had when I had the car running previously.  I have managed to get mother's Volvo fixed so I will be attending a car show and a bit of an auto jumble at Ryhope on sunday, photos post in the usual place. |
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As the engine hasn't been running properly, the accessories belt has moved and
started to ride up and onto the edge of the power steering pump pulley.
Previously the pump had to have washers as spacers so the pulley was correctly
lined up. The washers this time had put the pulley slightly offset, which didn't
show up till the belt had gone around few times.
So as the weather was just good enough (as was my health) I remounted the
power steering pump pulley without the spacers. Then I proceeded to clear out
all the leaves from the engine bay and from around and under the car, and from
inside of my little tool shed, they just get everywhere!!!!!
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Nov 11, 2013 17:43:26 GMT
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Sorry not been to well. The bracket holding the end of the gear selector cable sleeve has come apart. I might not need to remove all the battery and ecu etc assembly to sort the problem, but it is pain! I'm going to have to remove the side transmission mount and make the bracket as part of the transmission mount adapter I had made so I could drop the engine and transmission by almost 2inches. I only popped my head under the bonnet today as it was a warm dry spell just after lunch. Other wise I have been in doors usually with my head under a towel with a steam and vics bath! I hate colds & flu I can't fight them off and take three times as long to get shot of them  My father works up around Gateshead and Newcastle, and it has been snowing up there, so totally different to what the forecasts were saying, and I was hoping to work on the car later this week. Looks like I might be clearing the snow off her instead! :shock: |
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Nov 13, 2013 16:05:29 GMT
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Yesterday I removed the transmission mount and the bracket for the gear selector cable. I did take photos yesterday but that phone isn't working properly (time for a newer one it was a a samsung U600!)  (I think I need to get the wire brush attachment for the drill out to clean the paint that end plate on the gear box what a mess!!) I threw it back together and its not fastened together    I know now that bolting the bracket to the transmission mount was a mistake, but I did it that way as it could be adjusted by adding or removing washers as spacers. Now that I know where it needs to be for selecting the right gear, the replacement bracket can be mounted differently and more securely. I was thinking that a metal plate thin enough to not act too much as a spacer which will between the transmission mount and the transmission, which part of the old bracket will be welded to would be better. It will also be easier to remove compared to the old one. |
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Nov 16, 2013 13:52:30 GMT
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Gear Cable bracket ready to be welded. It is temporally bolted together tightly so as to make welding around the edges easier for my father. I kept it simple this time t!     And it in place without the transmission mount  |
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Nov 16, 2013 17:49:25 GMT
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I managed to drill wirebrush the transmission end plate before giving it a quick spray coat of red hammerite. Yes it was a thin coat and it looks like most of it ran off, the next couple of coats will be from a tin and put on with a brush! And it will need the protection considering where it is.  My father has said he will weld the gear cable bracket in the moring before he goes down to his boat. It will probably be the last time he gets to enjoy himself as next week the temp is supposed to get close to zero C degrees during the day. So I had better get cracking on Christine! |
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as it stands that is now going to be in the fuel tank fund to pay for 
