QuestionQUESTION: Hi, Roland. I'm George's wife and we wrote you about our chrysler last year.
Since then it has been running on an off. George is not known for his
mechanical ability but he did get it going thanks to your expertise. Then this
year when he took it to have it smogged and you know how long and hard the
engine runs during this diagnosis... However he did get home okay with it.
Now it won't start again. We have done as you told someone else to do - turn
key right and left etc and this was awhile before the smog test when it started
pretty much each time. What can we do now that it is in the no-start mode
again??? Why would it act this way just because of the smog test? Help! Again!
Sincerely, Julie and George
ANSWER: Hi Julie,
Turn the ignition key on-off-on-off-on and leave on, doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light and count the flashes before each pause. Repeat to make sure the counts are accurate. Group the numbers is pairs to form the two digit fault codes. The last is always 55 which means end of readout. Then tell me the results.
When you write back, please don't use the "private" option as this takes us out of the archive and no one can see and possibly learn from what we exchange. Also, tell me which engine is in the car.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dear Roland, I have a question but first I want to tell you how much we
appreciated your advice on how to get our chrysler running correctly. You are
a genius! Thanks to you we have had no trouble with our car since but
recently when we tried to turn our headlights on the "eyelids" wouldn't open
so we can't go out after dark. What has to be done to get them open? George
says they sound as if they want to open, but can't. I know if we take them to
a shop (which we can't afford,as usual) they will want to do things they really
don't need and the price would be high. Thanking you in advance, Julie
AnswerHi Julie,
Usually when the gear mechanism that connects the concealed headlight door motor to the rod that actually moves the doors fails, the door will fail in the 'open' condition. That is currently how mine are! I have purchased some bushings that go inside the motor drive mechanism that no doubt are worn out on your set up also. I bought them on eBay from seller 'rsreinhart'. So that would be the approach to fixing the doors. It comes with instructions. In the meantime try rotating the knob on the top of the mechanism which is under a rubber flap that you will find by lifting the hood and noticing the area just next to the latch mechanism. When you reach through the flap you will find the knob and rotate it while observing the doors to see which way will open them. If that fails, there is collar with a set screw at both ends of the rod which you can release that will allow the doors to move freely and due to gravity will fall to the open position on their own. The collars are accessed by lying on the ground and reaching up from behind the bumper. The set screw is turned with the appropriate-sized Allen wrench. Not quite as spiffy-looking in the daytime but then you can go about your driving at night. It may also help to put a few drops of oil on the pivots at the very outmost edge of each door, in case they are simply rusted in the closed position.
Roland
PS Please use the "thank/rate" tab to get back to me with any further question, without having to wait for me to be available. I appreciate your kind remarks and would welcome your vote for me as "expert of the month"!
