FI Spyder's weblog

Failure of turn signals after new column switch and solenoid installed made no difference and that meant under dash wire problem. The end of summer driving is quickly drawing near so I shift from rushing to get car passed safety check to more in depth winter detailing so off comes the dash.

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I removed the carpet and used MacGuires to clean grey carpet then a rented steam cleaner. Used some spot cleaner for just ahead of rubber mat. I will dye the carpet to even out the fading in parts from the harsh California sun. The Triumph branded Panasonic AM/FM Cassette Deck radio was just sitting unsecured behind console. I'll investigate later to see if there is enough room to secure it from the rear as well at a more appropriate angle. The headlight, fog light and hazard light switch were taken apart and their copper contacts were corroded with thick green sludge. It amazes me that the headlights worked at all. I did notice a faint flicker of turn signal once so a faint current was getting through the hazard switch (which is in the circuit). A loose wire in the headlight switch connector will be soldered later. A wire contact cleaner dispensed by pump doesn't seem to clean connectors well, just leaves and oily surface to prevent further corrosion. Using Amway metal cleaner brings the copper contacts back to bright. Put some dielectric grease on them to prevent corrosion.

The air conditioner/heater box needs to be removed to replaced crumbling foam between it and firewall. I'll have to locate something that will suffice as part is no longer available. Also will replace crumbling foam on flaps, degrease pivot points and re grease so air control cables work smoother. For now a Tercel cries out for shocks and tune up and Acura needs attention to charging system and has a high intensity light bulb exploded in lens which requires front bumper to be removed to clear the lens. Hope I don't have to remove alternator as that would mean removing an axle (by the book)or brake master cylinder if I can get at it from the top. Oh that it was as easy to fix as a TR7.