TWT -- The Wrenching Thread (6 Viewers)

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What was wrong with it..... those old VW diesels are pretty great, no electronics to screw it up and they will run forever.... with their 67HP ;)
 
Took the running boards off. I didnt realize how low the cat hung down. I guess it really doesn't matter since the running boards weren't going to protect it anyway.

13mm bolts and I used a 1/2" flex head (I lucked out...it is the ONLY flex head I have).

I have some OEM front mud flaps coming Tuesday to put on to make it smooth out a little better.

While I was under there I noticed that the connection points on the cat are pretty corroded....

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This started about a week ago. Doesn't do it every time, but sounds like starter is grinding. Any help is appreciated.
 
This started about a week ago. Doesn't do it every time, but sounds like starter is grinding. Any help is appreciated.


Have you changed the contacts and plunger? Maybe plunger now going all the way in, sticking, or the solenoid stick on it
 
Have you changed the contacts and plunger? Maybe plunger now going all the way in, sticking, or the solenoid stick on it

I replaced the contacts and plunger about 3 months ago. I never had any issue until just recently when it started getting cold.
 
It does sound like the gear is not all the way in when starting, not meshing. Might have to remove it, check plunger is moving freely and reinstall. Some debris could be preventing it from full actuation.
 
This started about a week ago. Doesn't do it every time, but sounds like starter is grinding. Any help is appreciated.


Bad starter bendix.
 
So its an issue with my rebuild job, or, an issue with another part of the starter?

The bendix is the replaceable gear and retraction spring mechanism that engages when you hit the starter 'button'. Teeth on the bendix wear over time until they no longer engage. Teeth on the flex plate (flywheel) also wear but do so much more slowly. Your contacts replacement didn't do anything to muck it up.

Edit .... here is a pretty good video. Many would look at the video and opt for new starter but it really isn't a hard job.

 
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Huge shout out to @Roxx for the help troubleshooting!!

My HVAC went out Friday night/Saturday am. Got cold enough to notice by the time I was at the hamom. Came back from that to troubleshoot, thought I had a bad pressure switch based on the LEDs on the control boards. Called Rafael and he helped confirm that the problem was the inducer not coming on, hence the pressure switch not detecting vacuum like it was supposed to. A couple of phone calls this am lead to finding the correct replacement in Durham and boom, heat back on!

Thanks again Rafael :cheers:

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RANT

So, in the shop sits a brand spanking new GM crate LS3 Connect and Cruise package, includes trans harnesses, computers etc. What it does NOT include is the front accessory drive setup. I was told at the time of purchase that the LS3 front drive kit would be available mid January, now they are telling me mid March. This drive kit is required to be on the motor when placed to insure it all fits. All of this because GM is having issues with the power steering pumps that come with the kit.

I spoke with GM performance at length this morning about this and they were little or no help. The gentleman on the phone repeated several times that there are thousands of these kits on back order, as if the "misery loves company" theory would ease my pain. They will not sell me the kit less the power steering pump and buying the parts pretty much doubles the price and that is without a steering pump.

The thing that really rubs is, they continue to build Camaros and other vehicles with this motor every day. So my guess is they are using the old pumps on the line while making those of us (thousands?) that paid over $12K for a C7C crate package to hang out to dry.

So after hours of research and need for a Valium I found a couple sources stating that an F-body front drive will fit with a couple small changes (new balancer the biggest). This includes the PS pump. This begs the question, why not just use this pump in the LS3 package. I was told by two GM reps this morning that the answer to this question is above their pay grade. If you wish to amuse yourself some time, try to apply logic to a situation to at best a middle management player in the corporate game that is General Motors. Killer products, screwed up support (humans) systems.

I ordered the secondary drive system, my fingers are crossed. This type of thing is exactly why I recommend @beno all the time for Toyota parts. He sees the related parts to what he is asked for by clients and advises them at point of purchase. I fully believe that had I purchased this crate motor from Onur he would have told me up front about the problem with the accessory drive being back ordered and a real world work around.
 
This never gets old, LS3 up on the stand ready for front drive assembly.

My neighbor walked in the shop , spots the motor on the stand and says " that right there will get your **** hard"

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Time for some much needed recognition. A few months back @jamesurq was over in an attempt to rid his 40 of a nasty vibe (you may recall the brake drum that had been lathed in half). I had one on the bench so we bolted it on. James says "how much do I owe you?". I joked that I hated the sound system in Zippy and could use a sub woofer. A couple months cruise by and I've long forgotten about the sub until James sends a pic of sub, box, amp, and all the ancillaries along with a note telling me all the stereo parts have arrived. So now I'm running an amp for rear speakers along with another amp and sub supplied by James and it sounds great.

So James .... big thanks. Really awesome stuff.

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Glad you got that all hooked up! BIg shout out to @jfz80 for the brake help today. Turns out I was right about a ceased caliper. One of the pistons had made some impressive marks that Jason got a few pictures of. So we replaced both calipers. After spending Napa time on the phone and driving to the middle of nowhere to get a pair, because why not replace them both?

Turns out Napa mispacked the boxes and we got two passenger side (the side that WASNT broken) instead of a pair. Back on the phone and a drive 30 mins to another Napa for an exchange.
Good times. Anyway. 2 hours was the new two weeks today. :)
 
If I was an alarm system....where would I be? I have a Code Alarm system in my LC and I am unsure of where the valet button is to reprogram the FOBs. Is there a 'normal' place for them to be?

They work when I am super close to the LC but not further than 5 feet sometimes. I found some videos on YouTube that say to solder a wire to the antenna portion of the FOB...I will do that today and see if it works.
 
3 most common ive seen. Under driver seat, crammed up above driver footwell behind dash, maybe but unlikely behind hvac/stereo area.

Could maybe find rhe power feed and go from there tracing back. Any non orm wires going through firewall grommet by brake booster?

Unusual butt splices up under dash on inside ? Anythjng tapped into fuse block, notmally in a sketchy manner.
 

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