pagiven@drutx.UUCP (GivenP) (08/22/85)
- For a routine preventive maintenance 100K mile tune up, I replaced: - Spark Plugs, properly gapped. - High performance silicone ignition wires. - Ignition coil. - Distributor cap. - Rotor. The car has a 231 cubic inch V6 engine (no flames please!) with a pointless ignition system. The engine was just steam cleaned to get rid of grease and oil buildup that could lead to high voltage short circuits. I started the car after the tune up, and heard a crackling sound as if spark were jumping to ground. I pulled the car into the garage and darkened the area as much as possible. While searching for the tell tale blue spark, the sound suddenly went away. However, when I drive the car now, I get very bad ignition interference on the AM radio. The engine performance seems OK, but who can tell with a V6?:-) How do I isolate the problem? Where is the probable cause? Wires? Rotor? Distributor cap? Is there a capacitor or some other igni- tion part that I failed to change that could be causing the noise? BTW, I wish to thank all those who responded to my request for help in selecting the right organization for automatic transmission repairs. The consensus thought the dealer would be the best place to go, with independent mechanics a close second. The dealer char- ged $60 to clean out a couple of suspect valves that control the shifting from 2nd to 1st. It helped, but the problem reappeared after a few days. The car goes back to the dealer today. Thanks to all!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Given {ihnp4, houxe, stcvax!ihnp4}!drutx!pagiven AT&T Information Systems Laboratories 11900 N. Pecos, Rm 1B04, Denver 80234 (303)-538-4058 -----------------------------------------------------------------
pagiven@drutx.UUCP (GivenP) (08/29/85)
- A very cordial thanks to all those who took the time and interest to respond to requests for help on a radio noise problem and a slipping auto tranny. After replacing all components of an ignition system, a static noise appeared on the radio. Following suggestions, I checked all wires for good connection and could detect no high voltage leaking from the secondary. What I did notice, however, was that when the turn signal was flashing, the noise would pulse in time with the turn signal! This leads me to the suspicion that the low voltage system is getting the noise induced into it from somewhere: the radio might be picking up the noise from the power supply. This weekend I shall re-check the installation of the coil and the con- nections to the 12V system. I might even try the to power the radio from a separate 12V supply to see if the noise disappears. Unfortunately (never again!!) I discarded the old parts before being absolutely sure the new stuff worked OK. If worse comes to worse, I will replace each part again, one by one, until the noise goes away. I will save the replaced good parts for the next tune- up. The dealer cleaned some valves in the tranny for $60. Next morning I found that the tranny still slipped. The car was returned to the dealer for further work. It was discovered that the fluid was down and when topped off the problem went away. It works fine now. Many apologies from the dealer, and no additional charge. I would have checked that myself, if the car hadn't just been serviced by them! Thanks again! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Given {ihnp4, houxe, stcvax!ihnp4}!drutx!pagiven AT&T Information Systems Laboratories 11900 N. Pecos, Rm 1B04, Denver 80234 (303)-538-4058 -----------------------------------------------------------------