Car Maintenance

[AVGWarhawk]

I have used the kits for the fogged lenses on the headlights. They do work. Just mask off the area so you do not bugger up the paint.

[Oberon]

Best kind of car maintenance:

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead Nuke

BZ on fixing the remote locks..

Any parts store will have a 'headlight defogger' kit. It will include some fine sandpaper and a acrylic sealer. The whole thing takes about an hour to do.

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I have used the kits for the fogged lenses on the headlights. They do work. Just mask off the area so you do not bugger up the paint.

Got a $10 dollar turtlewax defogger. After washing the car, I used it. Took less time than I expected, and did a pretty good job, they look new-ish.

Originally Posted by Oberon

Best kind of car maintenance:

Says the man with no car.


Finally replaced the parking lamp. Had to remove the battery, battery tray, and move an air intake valve out of the way. Still barely had any hand room, but I finally got the light out. Only to realize the 1157A that advanced autoparts suggested was too big. Quick search later(MPV forum for the win) and I find the best replacement is a 168. I borrowed the parents car and switched out the bulbs. Get home and put everything back(Plus I replaced the other side for good measure, which took 2 minutes). Have to say, the customer service at my AA sucks, but that's another story.

Now the only thing that's left is getting new tires(metal lining is starting to show on my front tires), replace the front/rear bumpers, interior paneling, steering wheel(for good measure), carpets, get new rims(starting to lose their finish) and get the blasted thing repainted.

I figure since I'm joining the Navy, and will be spend most of my time at base, or out to sea, I don't really need a new car until I get out.

Anyways, Anyone mind telling me what these things are? I'm assuming they're not important as my car hasn't exploded yet. They fell out after I pulled the front bumper yesterday. They both have glue on the bottom, but it looks like it melted ages ago.










Edit: I have two more questions:
1. Sometimes when you accelerate, the car will stop accelerating for a second and then "jump" and continue accelerating. Been doing this for atleast 3 years(although it rarely happens). I told my mechanic about it(before he died of a heart attack), and he never fixed it. His reasoning was he couldn't reproduce the problem.
2.Also when you accelerate quickly into 60+, right around the time you stop accelerating, there will be a slipping/squealing sound from the engine department. Any suggestions?

[MaddogK]

That jump in acceleration could be an improperly set 'detent' cable for the transmission. The detent cable simply controls when the transmission pulls a downshift (or passing gear) as the transmission shift point is based on pressure built up from the pump rpm vs the position of the throttle (sensed by the detent cable).

It may be properly set and could be a sign of a slow shift due to worn clutches or bands in the auto tranny.

Those rubber parts look like the insulators around the headlight lens. Those parts are used around the lenses to keep them from rattling around between the bumper and fender openings when you hit bumps- the halogen bulbs don't take kindly to being bounced around.

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

That jump in acceleration could be an improperly set 'detent' cable for the transmission. The detent cable simply controls when the transmission pulls a downshift (or passing gear) as the transmission shift point is based on pressure built up from the pump rpm vs the position of the throttle (sensed by the detent cable).

It may be properly set and could be a sign of a slow shift due to worn clutches or bands in the auto tranny.

Just as a follow up, just drove the car for the first time since I removed the battery(radio presets and the clock had to be reset). I accelerated 3 times(at normal acceleration) and all 3 times, when the car shifted to 3rd gear, the car would rev and jump in the same way.

Although after driving around some more it went away. Tried to recreate it by accelerating hard/soft/normal, but it wouldn't do it again. I noticed some slight delay between gears, but it didn't jump. I think it has something to do with the computer(I read that it has to "relearn" after the battery is removed).

Those rubber parts look like the insulators around the headlight lens. Those parts are used around the lenses to keep them from rattling around between the bumper and fender openings when you hit bumps- the halogen bulbs don't take kindly to being bounced around.

Maybe that's what they're for, although my headlights seem to be nice and secure. But I'll keep an eye on them.


Defogging the headlights definitely made a difference. The lights are not only brighter, but white instead of yellow.


Also, removing the battery removed the check engine light that's been on for months(had to do with the last time the fan was changed, they never reset the computer.)

[FIREWALL]

First Spike I lnow money is tight these days. But is trade in value with all the rebates and what you'll spend to fix it worth a 2002 vehicle ?

Just something to think about.

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

First Spike I lnow money is tight these days. But is trade in value with all the rebates and what you'll spend to fix it worth a 2002 vehicle ?

Just something to think about.

I'd be looking at 10,000+ for most used cars(at least any better than the current state of my MPV). I doubt, when everything is all said and done I'll go over 3,000.


Edit: Besides, I like my MPV. :P. Nice space, can turn it into a covered pick up truck by taking out the mid seats and lowering the back seats, Can seat 7, and has a 6 disc CD AM/FM radio(Something that would be hard to find in most cars). It also can do 115MPH despite being a mini-van, and accelerates like a beauty(despite the occasional issues I pointed out).

I would like a Mustang instead, but my eyes are set on 2010 or 2011's and there is no way I could afford them anytime soon.

Now, if something major needed replacing, such as the engine, or tranny, I'd look at replacing it, but until then I'd like to keep her.