Category: Vehicles

Posted on

Chrysler Cirrus redux.

Two months ago we had a transmission issue with the Cirrus. I wrote about that here.

Well after about 2 months and approx 3000 more miles the baby cloud car decided the transmission no longer was acceptable and rejected it.

It started with a high pitch whine, then quickly deteriorated into gnashing, grinding and the inability to shift gears.

I limped it back to the Chrysler dealership on Tuesday. They started their diagnosis for which they waived the fee since we just had the transmission looked at.

That escalated into, “Uh, this is bad, the next step would be a $200 transmission service” Drop the pan, check the filter and see what’s in there.

OK.

That led to, uhm, it’s toast, and needs to be rebuilt, which was pretty much what I had figured based upon the audio clues given by the transmission a day earlier.

A remanufactured unit started at around $2300 with labor to install it, would put the ticket at $3200. That’s a little much for this car. (a 1999 with 120k miles).

A used unit is cheaper, $1300, but same labor and you don’t know what you’re going to get.

We negotiated and thought about it some more. $2350 later we have a rebuilt tranny with 12k mile warranty, as well as both axle’s replaced.

Kings Chrysler service department was very reasonable to deal with, although if you want to give me $2300 I’ll be very reasonable with you too.

Am I happy about this? no, but considering the car is otherwise mechanically sound, the body is in great shape, the interior good, and the AC still works, it’s paid for and I don’t think we could replace it for that.

Yippe!

Posted on

1998 ZX11D for Sale

OK, here’s the dealio…

Zed, is a Black 1998 ZX11

It’s most recent configuration looked like:

(Full Size Photo here: Clicky) More Photos of this bike here: Click

It’s a 98 with approx 25k miles.

Valves were adusted at 20k and were all in spec. I’ve always used synthec oil and good gas.

What’s wrong with it now?

Zed was parked when I got the FJR last year. It had carb issues. I’d had them rebuilt but something still wasn’t right. I purchased a new set on ebay and they are mostly installed. She runs great, but… (it’s leaking gas between two of the carbs). If your mechanically minded, this is a $.50 cent 0-ring that needs to be replaced.

Zed is currently sporting Micky Pilot roads that have about 3/4 of their life left in them.

The bike has been down on the left side (former owner) who replaced all the plastic, but the left can is a little rashed, not enough though for me to have replaced it.

I dropped it in the driveway on the other side, the right side turn signal mounting tab is gone. That light is currently held in with a piece of black duct-tape.

It runs, and runs good.

Differences from this pic include:

It’s a little dirtier 🙂
I’m keeping the top box, but will leave the Givi Wing Rack (or remove it if you wish).
I can negotiate on the e421’s, these bags rock and at some point I’ll put them on the Feejer for their superior storage ability and eas of access to said stuff in them.

Goodies that go with it:

Corbin Seat.
Stock screen, black-smoke speed screen (flip) and the Givi screen pictured.
There are a couple of powerlet power outlets that are installed as well, one in the dash, one behind the riders left leg.
Kawi Service manual.

I bought Zed with 2400 miles, and put a happy 22k on it. Side graded to the FJR becuase Zed is not comfortable at all for my wife.

It would make someone on a budget a very fine ride. I’ve done a couple of saddle sore rides with it. One bone stock and it’s actually pretty comfy, the other in touring trim, which affects its handling a bit when totally loaded down.

$3000 firm, as is.

It’s currently Not ready for the road, it’s top half is apart and mostly re-assembled from the carb issues. I can (and will) put it back together if that’s what someone wants, or give you the parts and show you where everything goes.

I’d probably do better parting it out but I don’t have time.

I can also deliver within 200 miles of Cincy Ohio, give or take.

email: matt (at) dishers.com if you have any questions.

Posted on

Excursion and Electrical woes.

Well,

Seven years later and we have our first significant issue with the Excursion. 🙁

Yesterday C informed me that she didn’t have any brake lights (nor turn signals). I asked her to stop at an auto parts store and check the fuse for the brake lights. Sure enough it was blown. Problem was as soon as you put another one in it just popped. If course she didn’t know, according to her replacing the fuse didn’t fix it.

The fella at the auto parts store suggested it was probably the Flasher Relay, but they couldn’t figure out where that was.

When I got home I took all of the tail lights apart and looked for any visible shorts. I disconnected the trailer adapter just in case. There was a front marker light out but no visible signs of a short. So, yeah, let’s try the flasher relay.

I stopped by a couple different auto parts stores to find one. Finally did, picked up a bunch more fuses (for testing) and started the hunt for the relay. The Haynes manual says it’s mounted to the right of the steering column. That’s a lie, it isn’t there. Somewhere I read on the web that it was under the dash behind the cubby. After much searching and tearing a good portion of the dash apart I was able to find it hidden in a box under a cover, behind the cubby. Just about cost me my arm though trying to get up in there. I finally got it replaced, but the fuse still blows about 2 seconds after insertion, regardless if the brakes or turn signals are pushed.

We’re going to drop it off at the dealer tomorrow morning. I have a felling this isn’t going to be cheap. 🙁 But locating a short within that wiring harness is beyond my patience threshold.

[Update]

Well, as it turns out, it wasn’t that bad after all. Something was ‘leaking’ onto the brake switch. What? Well, the tech didn’t elaborate, which had shorted it out.

They didn’t charge us full price for diagnostics on this since there was a recall they needed to perform anyway.

They did however talk me into the 100,000 mile service which included:

Coolant flush and fill, air cleaner, oil change, 8 new plugs and plug wires, transmission flush, etc.

We also elected to have them install new shocks front and rear.

The Excursion has been a very good vehicle for us. It’s paid for now and we plan on putting at least another 70,000 miles on it. The only difference now is that instead of a car payment we’ll have to start maintaining things that are wearing out. 🙁

We certainly hadn’t budgeted for all of this ($1200 worth) but it needed to be done.