Grease Monkey Garage

[Canadian farm boy]

Front brake upgrade is about complete.
These brakes are originally for a 98-02 ls1 camaro or firebird.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Awesome. 80's brakes just sucked all the way around.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Relay maybe?

Probably something like that. I'll get into it when I'm done pouting.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Awesome. 80's brakes just sucked all the way around.

But they were better than the drums all around

 

[Mastermind]

But they were better than the drums all around

Amen.

 

[Steve]

I like old stuff better. Tractors, balers, cars, trucks, etc.

My daily is an 88 F150. My wife's is a 01 Camry. We literally got rid of our new cars 3 years ago because we just didn't drive them.

 

[Steve]

It never ends. Now my air conditioner and fan don't work, even though I didn't mess with any of that stuff. I can drive it no problem, just got the 255 a/c and can't idle too long.

I have to admit I'm something of a masochist. All of my vehicles are the Rock of Sisyphus. I've had my Ranger since 2004 and it's slow as snot, 2wd, and no a/c from the factory. Strangely it is the best vehicle I've ever had. My sister bought the 626 in 2001 and gave it to me when it needed major repairs. Like the veterinarian who has a bunch of crippled dogs and cats as office pets, I can't help keeping things long past their expiration date.

Does that one have the ccrm box somewhere around the drivers under hood area?

 

[FergusonTO35]

It has the relay box under the hood. Gonna check it out tonight.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The only thing I don't like about rear discs is the parking brakes always seize up.

 

[Yukon Stihl]

I like old stuff better. Tractors, balers, cars, trucks, etc.

Thats my yard as well 1958 950 loader 81 Mack dump ect

 

[Mastermind]

My daily is an 88 F150. My wife's is a 01 Camry. We literally got rid of our new cars 3 years ago because we just didn't drive them.

I have a 83 F350, an 87 Dodge Dakota, and an 04 Camry.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Ok, so all the fuses check out and we have power at least as far as the relay box. Swapped a known good relay into the A/C relay spot and made no difference, I can kick the compressor on by hotwiring though. I have a sinking suspicion I'm gonna need an HVAC control panel and/or PCM. Would rather it be PCM because a reputable reman with warranty is under a c-note and the HVAC panel is probably expensive and/or NLA. The HVAC and engine cooling fans run through both the PCM and HVAC panel.

 

[Steve]

Ok, so all the fuses check out and we have power at least as far as the relay box. Swapped a known good relay into the A/C relay spot and made no difference, I can kick the compressor on by hotwiring though. I have a sinking suspicion I'm gonna need an HVAC control panel and/or PCM. Would rather it be PCM because a reputable reman with warranty is under a c-note and the HVAC panel is probably expensive and/or NLA. The HVAC and engine cooling fans run through both the PCM and HVAC panel.

Do you have a wiring diagram Lance? I can get you a bunch from work tomorrow if it helps.

 

[Mastermind]

Got my 350 about done for the Dakota swap. Not sure about the oil pan though. Looking for something as small as possible.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Do you have a wiring diagram Lance? I can get you a bunch from work tomorrow if it helps.

Dude, you are too kind! I have the diagram from the Haynes manual and it appears to have everything I need. Will let you know if end up needing them.

 

[slackinoff]

I like old stuff better. Tractors, balers, cars, trucks, etc.

Me too - I think late 90s to mid 2000s Chevrolet Trucks and Tahoes are the pinnacle of easy to work on but make good horsepower and reliability. Right before displacement on demand, variable cam timing, direct injection all started to come into the picture. Mid 2000s is about the latest model I would want to buy now a days for any vehicle - for the same reasons.

I heard a rumor Chevrolet made a decision to match Japan's reliability in the early 90s and by the time the NBS trucks came around with the new small blocks, they were getting pretty close. I can believe it, look at how many LS based trucks and SUVs are still on the road, or in the junkyard with perfectly fine engines.

 

[Mastermind]

Gotta go haul a tedder home in a few days....and can't stand this exhaust leak more than a few minutes. This is fun stuff.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Me too - I think late 90s to mid 2000s Chevrolet Trucks and Tahoes are the pinnacle of easy to work on but make good horsepower and reliability. Right before displacement on demand, variable cam timing, direct injection all started to come into the picture. Mid 2000s is about the latest model I would want to buy now a days for any vehicle - for the same reasons.

I heard a rumor Chevrolet made a decision to match Japan's reliability in the early 90s and by the time the NBS trucks came around with the new small blocks, they were getting pretty close. I can believe it, look at how many LS based trucks and SUVs are still on the road, or in the junkyard with perfectly fine engines.

I began my auto tech career in 1997 and got out of it in 2007 so anything from that time period is my favorite. My 1998 Ranger is one of the last products that Ford actually got right. When somebody asks about newer vehicles these days I tell them go Japanese or Korean all the way. A newer domestic vehicle would have to be practically free for me to own it.

 

[Steve]

I began my auto tech career in 1997 and got out of it in 2007 so anything from that time period is my favorite. My 1998 Ranger is one of the last products that Ford actually got right. When somebody asks about newer vehicles these days I tell them go Japanese or Korean all the way. A newer domestic vehicle would have to be practically free for me to own it.

100% same of what I tell people.

 

[FergusonTO35]

So far, everything is leading to PCM on the no a/c or cooling fans problem. All fuses good. All the wires on the HVAC control panel have power or ground when they're supposed to. Pressure switches closed and have continuity through the wires. 90's Mazdas were known for bad PCMs. Will dig into it more tomorrow.