Oh NO! Umm, perhaps I fried the computer?

[Frisbeeguy]

Oh snap. Something is fried...

Finally decided that today I'd get the car back up on the stands and un-do some stuff to see if I have some sort of pinched power steering line. (I recently replaced the clutch, T/O bearing, and Y pipe and reinforced the MM's) Upon re-assembly the PS pump was WHINING. It didn't do that before.

So put in a new cooler since it seemed to be leaking and then bought another pump from a forum member and put it in - it's even worse.

Unbelievable... when putting on the engine support the big 6" eye bolt was in the front lift ring and it fell directly onto the positive battery terminal - sparks were flying and it fused itself on... had to really yank it hard to get it to release from the battery.

Then ******* me... immediately tried to start the car using the battery charger - reversed the leads and plugged it in - Ackkkkkk.

Any ideas on what to check first? Could it have just fried the battery? A fuse(able link)? Oh man - what an idiot.

Thanks for any help on this...
(it's an '89 btw)

 

[hawkeye18]

You probably fried a number of fusable links, and a number of fuses to boot. I don't have the schematics handy to tell you how to proceed from here, but I would take a very close look at the entire charging system, and the connection to the EEC. Most red wires are power wires, and yellow as well. Even red/yellow.

 

[Frisbeeguy]

Ohhhh chit.
The car was running great except for the ps pump whine.
Won't have a chance to look at it until later this week.

 

[Frisbeeguy]

Does anybody have anything to add?
I don't have a clue what to do.

GDMF

 

[vortex2450]

Does anybody have anything to add?
I don't have a clue what to do.

GDMF

I would find a good wiring schematic so I could trace everything back from the battery/charging system.

The longer the cars system was shorting/reverse circuiting the further back you'll have to go. Albeit most of the fuseable links would've taken the punch before letting anything fried but you still have a task at hand.

Trace back from the battery connections, check all following connections along with any and all fuses.

 

[Racer X]

Alternator might be a casualty.

 

[93rev2sev]

The whining PS pump could just be that the belt is too tight. It's more common than a busted PS pump.

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

The whining PS pump could just be that the belt is too tight. It's more common than a busted PS pump.

Agreed usually when they go, youll know! Id make sure it actually is the ps pump! My gf car made almost the exact noise as ps whine, was an idler pulley screamin for mercy. Got lucky I didnt feel like changing out another pump.

 

[Frisbeeguy]

Hey thanks y'all.
Wow am I a dumbazz.

Item 1 - it seems that the (perhaps bulletproof?) SHO has survived another mishap! It did start up after the shocking battery / engine support episode. I think it wouldn't start just after the incident because I has something unplugged.

I loosened the rack, wriggled and traced all the p/s lines from the reservoir - cooler - rack. Everything was clear and nothing was binding.
Then with the wheels off the ground & coil pack unplugged proceeded to crank the engine while turning wheel stop to stop to bleed system of air.

No change - pump still whining.

I did notice the fluid was yuck. (was new, clear fluid when replaced recently)
Pumped out just reservoir fluid & replaced. It turned black while doing the air bleeding thing.

Perhaps I should bite the bullet, get a new/reman. pump and all new lines?

Oh man - not easy to get to that rack, to replace the lines. (or the pump either, but I've done that)

 

[Frisbeeguy]

The whining PS pump could just be that the belt is too tight. It's more common than a busted PS pump.

I think the belt tension is O.K. - It's snug but I can "flex" it when applying pressure w/ finger between the pulleys.

 

[Frisbeeguy]

Agreed usually when they go, youll know! Id make sure it actually is the ps pump! My gf car made almost the exact noise as ps whine, was an idler pulley screamin for mercy. Got lucky I didnt feel like changing out another pump.

I'll double check later today but I'm 100% sure it's the pump screaming.

After seeing the gunk entering the reservoir yesterday I'm thinking it's a partially clogged (return?) line?

After reading off the cardone site perhaps w/ all the lines +20 years old they're too deteriorated internally and causing system clogging??

I really appreciate y'alls input - feel free to bring out the whips & start flogging after my little electrical episode & rant.

 

[Frisbeeguy]

I think I had a P/S thread going at one point.
Pulled the pump & replaced with another used one from a forum member... no change. That's three pumps - same whine but the last one didn't whine at the turn stops.

So much for attempting to save $$ by getting a "good" used one.

Took my original one to a local re-builder yesterday. Popped it in last night and it works!

Yippee!! (I'm definitely getting better at getting them in & out)

Going for a drive - need to find another problem to work on. (rear suspension anyone?)

Some day it will be painted...

 

[jelloslug]

How old is the steering rack?