Radiator and Starter Solenoid Question...Need help quick!!!

[93redATX]

Is the front portion of the radiator something for the AC? On my '90 project, we tore into it this weekend and got the upper radiator support off (that thing was a bitch) and pulled the radiator apart, basically. It is the entire front "half" of the radiator that sits in it's own bracket that is attached to the lower frame crossmember. There are metal lines running out of this thing that appear to be AC lines. My next question would be, since the AC is being removed from the car, will I still need this piece (if it is in fact part of the AC system)? The car will be a show and track car for the most part, and I plan on taking out anything extra that I do not need, and AC will be the first thing out.

Now, my second question is about the starter solenoid. Apparently, the dick that sold me the car took the solenoid out of the car for some reason, so I replaced it with a spare one from my '89 GL parts car. I was or am fairly sure I've heard somewhere that the solenoids are all pretty much the same part, so if it isn't, let me know and that will probably solve my problem. Anyway, After putting a battery in and trying to start the car, we got nothing. 12 volts to the solenoid, but no interior or exterior lights, no start, nothing electrical would operate. My question would be what wires go on what terminal of the solenoid. I have the two battery cables, and 3 other wires to put on this thing. I would assume these go to the starter, but the way the car sits right now, I can't check. Obviously the battery cables go on different terminals, but if anyone knows what goes where, I'd be forever indebted to you wink . Sorry I wrote this short novel, but if anyone actually reads this far, they must know what I'm talking about shrug thumbs_u

 

[KazMan]

i just replaced the starter w/ solenoid with a reman one for $99. I wouldnt try just the solenoid..mine came complete with both.

 

[rangerj]

93RED,

The item in front of the radiator is the A/C condenser. It has two lines coming out of it that run back to the firewall. Inside and under the dash is the evaporator core, that is the other half of the A/C system.

If your A/C compressor is in decent shape, and you want to get rid of it, let me know.

The correct connections for the starter solenoid were posted within the last 30 days. Do a search, or check out a service manual wireing diagram. Sorry, but I do not have access to my research material at the moment. rangerj

 

[93redATX]

KazMan:
i just replaced the starter w/ solenoid with a reman one for $99. I wouldnt try just the solenoid..mine came complete with both.

Nah, Gen I's have a two-piece system...the solenoid is on the driver's side fender area.

Ranger-I have no idea if the compressor works right now, but if ya want it I'll let you know what shipping is and I'll send it to ya free of charge when I pull it off. Send me a PM if you want it .

One more question, what is the best way to drain the AC system? I'd like to do it myself, but I don't have any special tools. shrug

 

[projectSHO89]

For the no power problem:

Check this first:

On the starter relay, there is a smaller ring terminal/wire that has to
connect to the battery cable side of the relay. This wire runs everything
else in the car except the starter motor.

If you connect it to the output side, you will get your exact symptom.

I'll guarantee you that you connected this wire to the wrong terminal since you didn't have one to refer to.

Don't ask me how I found this out :^)

Steve

<small>[ January 13, 2003, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[JaySHOguy]

As for the a/c condenser...if it got whacked in the accident like mine did, it probably already has a hole in it. Don't worry about draining it Just unbolt/cut the lines off and don't worry about it... A little freon isn't gonna hurt much thumbs_u

 

[Rob94]

Nah, a little freon will just give you instant frostbite.

 

[93redATX]

Well, tore off the AC condensor today along with many of the under-hood lines. I just cannot believe what I've found in the engine compartment-mud, dirt, and rocks jammed into and under things like the battery tray, some of the AC lines, etc. I have never seen a car in such sad shape as this one is right now. Because of this, it's been rightly named "Phoenix", since it has rose from the ashes, so to speak. We've fixed the no power problem as well, it took some shuffling of the wires on the starter relay just like Steve said. The car turns over now as well, when just two days ago the radiator was still crushed into the front exhaust manifold and the upper radiator support piece was bent and mangled into an unrecognizable piece of twisted steel. There's still a long way to go, but after pulling the front end of the car apart, what I've found has been a pleasant surprise on one hand, and OTOH a huge let down in how the car has obviously been treated throughout it's life. As mentioned, I found dirt and rocks after I took off the battery tray. When I took off the front pieces of the lower cladding, they were caked full of mud. Water ran out of the passenger side cladding screws. There is probably nearly an ounce of oil in at least the front plug wells, and most likely the back ones as well. The engine mount was broken at one time, as evidenced by the shiny spots on the intake. The interior is fairly well trashed, with the dash cracked and the carpet stained. Driver's side bolster is ripped, and the perforated leather seat bottom is ripped in a few places. The good news-after putting a starter relay in and wiring it up correctly, the car turned over and fired right up. With a little more work, this car will be driveable, and it looks like we'll be able to have it ready for the convention this year, as planned, minus the repaint and dent work that it needs. Anyway, since I've rambled on and on, I think I'll stop torturing you with my boring car stories thumbs_u .