VanKitten
Well-known member
Well.. here is the update.
Yesterday morning I was towed back to the mechanic. It didn't start. It cranks and cranks...but the spark just doesn't happen. Now, there is a spark at the coil. The control module tested good. The new distributor tested good. The new fuel pump tested good..holding pressure, etc. new battery, new battery cable.
The cat. Converter is new..tested good. After much scratching of heads...the mechanic decided to take it all out and start over. When he did that, he was moving some part of the wiring harness associated with the distributor, when the RV started! Wow. At first he thought that someone was playing a joke on him. He wiggled that bundle of wires and tried it again...no start. Ah ha! Found it.
When he unwrapped the elec. tape he found the wires had been wrapped very tightly, and the insulation had worn off the wires, sometimes causing them to short together. He replace that entire section of wires... reassembled everything. RV started right up. He knows better. Waited 30 minutes again...started up. Waited, again started. After 4 hours..started up.
Took it for a drive...after one block the entire electric system just completely cut out. The same problem I had last Tuesday when I drove it. It started right up...drove it a couple miles...then the electric system cut out again. Twice more before getting back to the shop.
So, he I thought maybe the ignition switch? Opened the steering column up...replaced the switch at no charge to me. (Oh..that new fuel pump was put it at no charge to me). Still the same problem. It starts right up..but cuts out randomly.
He thinks it needs a new master computer. I agree.
I saw this same problem with my Toyota...needs a new master computer. Fortunately, because it is so old...there is an after market for this..and only $135! Unfortunately, it will be a week before it will arrive...has to order from NY.
So.. I am going to drive this beast down to Delta where the paint job will be done. A whole week of doing nothing is just asking too much. I know it will be a slow trip. But..I am going to try it anyway. The master computer is right under the dash...it is an easy replace...so even if I get stranded and towed to Delta.....at least I get the paint done instead of twiddling my thumbs for another week.
I realize I got very lucky with this one. Electrical problems are a bear to solve. This was luck..good, for a change.
None of my many problems over the last 4 weeks could have been prevented, and nothing the mechanic did was anything other than the best anyone could have done. (How many mechanics make house calls?).
This shop has been very good to me. They have really knocked themselves out to fix all these issues. I would recommend them to anyone! SImpson Brothers, in Grand Junction, CO.
Yesterday morning I was towed back to the mechanic. It didn't start. It cranks and cranks...but the spark just doesn't happen. Now, there is a spark at the coil. The control module tested good. The new distributor tested good. The new fuel pump tested good..holding pressure, etc. new battery, new battery cable.
The cat. Converter is new..tested good. After much scratching of heads...the mechanic decided to take it all out and start over. When he did that, he was moving some part of the wiring harness associated with the distributor, when the RV started! Wow. At first he thought that someone was playing a joke on him. He wiggled that bundle of wires and tried it again...no start. Ah ha! Found it.
When he unwrapped the elec. tape he found the wires had been wrapped very tightly, and the insulation had worn off the wires, sometimes causing them to short together. He replace that entire section of wires... reassembled everything. RV started right up. He knows better. Waited 30 minutes again...started up. Waited, again started. After 4 hours..started up.
Took it for a drive...after one block the entire electric system just completely cut out. The same problem I had last Tuesday when I drove it. It started right up...drove it a couple miles...then the electric system cut out again. Twice more before getting back to the shop.
So, he I thought maybe the ignition switch? Opened the steering column up...replaced the switch at no charge to me. (Oh..that new fuel pump was put it at no charge to me). Still the same problem. It starts right up..but cuts out randomly.
He thinks it needs a new master computer. I agree.
I saw this same problem with my Toyota...needs a new master computer. Fortunately, because it is so old...there is an after market for this..and only $135! Unfortunately, it will be a week before it will arrive...has to order from NY.
So.. I am going to drive this beast down to Delta where the paint job will be done. A whole week of doing nothing is just asking too much. I know it will be a slow trip. But..I am going to try it anyway. The master computer is right under the dash...it is an easy replace...so even if I get stranded and towed to Delta.....at least I get the paint done instead of twiddling my thumbs for another week.
I realize I got very lucky with this one. Electrical problems are a bear to solve. This was luck..good, for a change.
None of my many problems over the last 4 weeks could have been prevented, and nothing the mechanic did was anything other than the best anyone could have done. (How many mechanics make house calls?).
This shop has been very good to me. They have really knocked themselves out to fix all these issues. I would recommend them to anyone! SImpson Brothers, in Grand Junction, CO.
