Street Cruiser No 4 Project

July 2010 advertised on eBay was a Street Cruiser (Non Runner), which I purchased, Has I have just dismantled a Silver PT and kept various parts including engine, gearbox etc, I have decided to see if I can possibly bring her back to life before I dismantled her for spares to back up my own Street Cruisers, so nothing to loose really.

Click here for lots of  pictures of my project

Sunday 11th July 2010, After seeing Street Cruiser on eBay, and chatting on phone with owner, we went to Farnworth Near Manchester and bought Street Cruiser No4, non runner, and had it picked up and brought back home on a recovery truck, with help from Chris & Jeff we managed to push it into garage, hopefully one day I’ll drive it out.

Wednesday 14th July 2010, Had a look round, check lights etc all worked, brake lights stayed on for some reason so removed bulbs as a temporary measure till a cure is found.

Removed air box, and piping around, battery tray, and took off front grill, basically for better access.

Fitted new battery, error codes P1684 (Battery Disconnect), P1685 (SKIM Invalid Key), and P1193 (Inlet Air Temperature High)

My wish for a quick fix, hoping previous owner overlooked something simple, you know, put this wire back on and everything OK, no such luck

Noticed lots of block connectors, where wires have been cut and rejoined harness not secured right, ECU screws missing, so some ones been messing with electrics and possibly changed ECU

Engine still not starting and clutch pedal has no pressure, 8mm T junction just above slave, not a Chrysler fitting :-)

Thursday 15th July 2010, Removed the locking wheel nuts, thought front Drivers side was gonna be a problem, but managed...phew.

Removed top manifold and sparkplugs, turned engine over by hand, piston movement so not seized, messed with stop light and clutch switch...think brake light problem curable (two faulty switch’s maybe)..but still not turning engine.

Took Radiator off to access starter motor...powered starter motor from front...turn engine over but still do not fire up, but we now know starter motor works,

Messed with clutch switch, tried bypassing  but no luck.

Error codes now P0123 (Throttle Position Sensor High), P0340 (Camshaft Sensor Circuit), P1193, and P1685

Friday 23rd July 2010, Connected battery and just tried...nothing...but only 3 error codes P1684, P1685 and P1193 Swapped ECU put on Silver PT’s...Dismantle dash and tried swapping immobiliser and remote box...and taping Silver PT’s key to it...nothing...noticed red light flashing on dash which indicates a fault in system...will have another go in morning with a fresh head.

 

Saturday 24th July 2010, Took a chance today, removed ECU from T24 (one of my other Street Cruisers), replaced it with “Silver PT’s” ECU, engine started but only for a few seconds, fault codes P1684 & P1685, Key/immobiliser was the only problem.

Then tried the one from Street Cruiser No.4...nothing...error codes P1684, P1685 & P1193...so now assuming that this ECU is faulty...so obviously more to this...

My Conclusion...Car should start even with another PT’s ECU...wasn’t brave enough to put T24’s ECU into Project Car.

 

Sunday 24th July 2010, Tried suggestion from axaman on UKC, similar to above, connected Silver PT’s ECU, key remote and immobiliser, taped Silver PT’s key to immobiliser unit and watched the red light, no change still got three error codes as above...not really sure what to do now...easy stuff ruled out...is it time to look at engine out, etc...nothing will probably happen for a month now as going off to UKC PITP.

 

Wednesday 28th July 2010, Today I swapped complete ignition (Barrel, immobiliser and other side) so now has all Silver PT’s stuff on including dodgy barrel and key,  red flashing light goes out as should, P1685 code gone, now down to two error codes, P1684 (Battery) and P1193 (Air) but alarm is not setting or working, and still doesn’t start.

Thursday 29th July 2010, Luke (Grandson Aged 8) came round, he messed with his bike, me with PT, did the usual tried starting, no joy, looked in engine bay and noticed wire off starter motor, the little one (You Numpty), connected this and hey presto car turned over and actually fired up for a couple of seconds error code P0340 (Camshaft Sensor)

Bought some fresh petrol, swapped the Camshaft Sensor and tried again, ran better and longer but still very rough, Camshaft error code gone but got P1299 (Vacuum Leak) found some pipes still off and the plate behind throttle body was loose...tightened everything up...and tried again

Engine fired up still very rough, but again felt better than before or was it my imagination, error codes P1299 cleared but got another one P0123 (Throttle), by this time had to pick up Julie (Wife) from Morrisons, when we got back was keen to show her the car started, whilst doing this noticed the wire from the throttle body wasn’t connected (Numpty Again), plug this in and started again.

All error codes now cleared, but car still runs but rough, and clutch is still useless.

Tried swapping plugs and leads, but no difference, will try ignition coil next time, but I suspect timing maybe is slightly out.

But happy in the knowledge that she has actually been running...YES!!!!!!!!!!

4th September 2010, fallen a bit behind with this diary of events...so during the last month have messed around with clutch...well the pipework...removed the T and replaced with a 8mm straight connector...tried bleeding limited success...put some washers in slave...slight clutch.

Engine starts and runs...not a timing problem...something to do with pipes at top of engine, air intake or whatever...have swapped things around with different results but forget what/where/when etc...have had it ticking over on it’s own...but pipes disconnected.

 

26th September 2010, Started her this morning after putting a couple of cans of fresh petrol in...no change...if I took off either the evap pipe of top of throttle body or removed the PCV pipe engine tick over by itself...once replaced engine stalled...so with this and lots of noise when clutch pressed I’ve decided to swapped the engine and gear box with Silver PT’s, which was in working order when removed, I drove it back from Birmingham where I bought it from...so after dinner we start...

Whilst car still on all four wheels...removed air filter box, battery, radiator, air manifold, air con radiator and pipe work, air con pump, power steering pump and pipes, battery support, gear lever cables, clutch slave, ignition coil and leads, power steering fluid reservoir, bolts from exhaust cat and finally bonnet.

Jack car up onto some wood for support and removed front wheels...tidied up all called it a day.

 

27th September 2010, Removed front bumper, had some issues with fasteners by headlights, cut these off, which was a bit of a butcher job...removed the bolts from bottom of front struts and pulled out half shafts, but they remain in situ...think all wires etc are now disconnected, removed engine oil which stunk of petrol,

Think engine is ready to remove after undoing all mountings...but job came to halt when I snapped socket removing centre bolt...

28th September 2010, removed bottom engine mounting and put engine hoist & chains ready in place...need to go to Halfords to replaced broken socket.

 

29th September 2010, Went to Halfords got the bits...waited for Luke from School...undid all engine mounts and engine out and on trolley and put away by 5:30pm...so all in without rushing complete engine removal 9/10 hours...we also removed the clutch fluid cylinder  and pipe work and Luke put headlight back.

30th September 2010, Replaced the clutch reservoir and pipe work with one from the Silver PT, put pulley back on Silver PT’s engine, replaced alternator belt and placed engine ready to lift and bolt in...

1st October 2010, Hoisted engine into place, wasn’t easy lining holes up etc, had to keep undoing mounts, but hopefully sorted...also refitted half shafts, exhaust cat, gearbox cables...spent about 3 hours this afternoon...Julie going to Benidorm for weekend...so hopefully will have it fully installed before she returns.

 

2nd October 2010, Put Air intake manifold on, starter motor, battery shelf bracket, connected up various pipes and wires, put radiator on loose...she started and appears to be running a lot better and able to select gears...well pleased...error code 0340 camshaft sensor...need to swap...about 2 hours

 

3rd October 2010, Refitted power steering pump. Air con pup and pipe work, changed Starter motor for the one bought from eBay way back, put radiator back, top air intake manifold, tidied up wiring etc, basically rebuilt everything across front & top of engine...started it ran fine...still got camshaft sensor error code...haven’t swapped sensor yet.

4th October 2010, Carried on with rebuild, put on front reinforcing bar, bumper etc, for reference front bumper so easy to remove, two bolts either side just behind headlights attaching bumper to front wing point, two bolts either side of radiator, two sets of rubber fittings between radiator and headlight just pull out bumper no need to remove as I did.

Did the fix on radiator, cross wired the high/low fan, as on first test it started to overheat, added power steering fluid but has developed a noise around pump, think power steering pump knackered.

Sorted the error code, swapped back the camshaft sensor...put multistalk back on...checked all lights, horn etc everything working including front fogs, still problem with brake lights although found that by pulling up brake pedal they go out.

Actually drove car out of garage...left it running for about 20 minutes...no apparent problems

Moved old engine onto smaller dolly and put hoist away...tidied up garage...about 8 hours

5th October 2010, Bodged brake light switch, bent metal plate it is connected to...didn’t realise brake lights work without ignition...swapped ignition tumbler barrel so now just remove key not whole barrel...appears to be a leak of ATF4 oil around steering pump area...rebuilt dash.

Well for the time being that’s probably it, Julie’s returning from Spain and we are both back to work...have really enjoyed last few days.

10th October 2010, Hopefully cured steering pump leak and noise...was leaking from a loose jubilee clip, replaced with two...

 

11th October 2010, Swapped bays, turned SC4 round and put her over pit, not sure on leak, seems better...will know better tomorrow parked in a clean spot.

 

17th October 2010, Spent today sorting underneath, put CV joint seals back on, sorted some nuts/bolts/wires  that where loose underneath, exhaust, radiator, fog lights etc.

 

19th October 2010, Put on new discs and pads on front and bleed brake system, did a How to at same time...

26th October 2010, Put Bonnet and Front Grill back on, got underneath connected earth strap on exhaust and generally sprayed all nuts bolts with WD40, check for possible faults that where obvious to me , MOT failure stuff, exhaust for holes, exhaust mountings, bushes, holes in floor, sills etc etc. Booked MOT for 2nd Nov, watch this space.

 

2nd November 2010, Went for MOT 1pm, Failed, rear wishbone bush drivers side, also got a few advisories, rear wishbone bush passenger side, track rod end drivers side,  tyre and rear brake pads.

Replaced complete wishbone arm with one from I purchased earlier in year from eBay, was gonna do other advisory repairs but was reminded by Julie that knowing my luck something would break or snap and I really wanted to just get a MOT, so these repairs can be done later at leisure, hoping to take it back to MOT test centre tomorrow.

3rd November 2010, She Passed...well pleased...will do the advisories over the next few weeks...

8th November 2010, Replaced the Wishbone Arm on Passenger side see how to..., put new disc pads in rear brakes and replaced the coolant with Mopar Long Life as recommended by Chrysler

15th November 2010, Replaced Engine Oil and Filter, used Castrol Edge 5/30...Halfords £45, Asda £30 big difference...also fitted new bulb in centre dome light, dome light works and now so does the alarm...worth knowing duff bulb no alarm.

 

21st November 2010, Recharged the Air Con system with a can of Ezchill (Bought from eBay £20) and although I had my doubts it appears to have work, well air con pump kicks in, the pipes inside the engine bay cover in ice and the air feels cold although it is pretty cold anyhow, prior the system was empty, pipes had been removed, seals damaged etc, so from nothing to something, but I suppose until the summer won’t know 100%

 

22nd November 2010,  Today I put her on the road, Taxed and Insured, so SC4 is out and about, first trip picked Luke up from school and we had a little drive round, will be keeping my RAC card at hand though.

 

6th December 2010, Well she been on road for a fortnight...only issue is no cruise control...added a little festive fun to her today...