Sterling #S009
- Thread starter Brett Proctor
- Start date
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Finally found the problem.
Bad connection at the ECM.
Nice to finally turn the ignition on and the engine light isn't on.
Had pending and fault codes for the cooling fan.
I can do a scan now and no codes appear. (for anything)
Now if it just stays that way
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Thats a nice thing about having OBDII, you catch an issue before it does any damage. Without having it I'm positive I would of had an overheating issue. Then the damage is done and your stranded.
I know some builders will do almost anything to avoid a computer controlled engine but — although it’s intimidating; I get that — there are sooooo many advantages regarding reliability and diagnostics. I like the way you took your project and respect your efforts. It’s encouraging to see it working out.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Yup, that's one of those topics that falls under the same category as politics and religion. People have their own point of view on the topic and there's nothing you can say or do that will change their point of view.
Thats ok.
I also understand if they want to keep it that era correct.
I'm sure some people aren't happy with the changes I made to the car.
I think the engine control system I have is very basic. Looking at the car it came from the engine is the only thing thats computer controlled. Everything else is old school. No control modules or CAN.
Ohio wasn't as bad but I can relate. My VIN check was denied by the BMV because the VIN wasn't on the dash, it was on the body. They stated it had to be on the dash - fortunately a dealership a few miles away could do the VIN check and didn't have to follow the same rules.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
I'm thinking of going to another office and see if they say the same thing. The person that did the check didn't seem to know what to do. She had to get on the phone with her supervisor to see what to do.
That was a lengthy talk so my guess is he didn't know what to do either.
Its not like its first time getting registered. It was registered in California and California gave it a VIN.
Its just a VIN check. The VIN on the car matches the one on the title. I don't see the issue. Who cares what state issued the VIN.
When I transferred the title into my name (in 2010) there was no issues. No one questioned it.
Now even though the title says its a 1969 car their telling me that that it needs to be registered as a 2010 car. The year I transferred the title over to my name.
The stupidity is off the charts.
As I stated, to get to the main office I would have to get on the freeway and nobody does the speed limit (posted 65. What people do 75 plus). To take side streets it would take around an hour to get there and its all stop and go traffic. Something I'm not to excited to do.
I've been putting this off but I guess I need to get it done.
That was a lengthy talk so my guess is he didn't know what to do either.
Its not like its first time getting registered. It was registered in California and California gave it a VIN.
Its just a VIN check. The VIN on the car matches the one on the title. I don't see the issue. Who cares what state issued the VIN.
When I transferred the title into my name (in 2010) there was no issues. No one questioned it.
Now even though the title says its a 1969 car their telling me that that it needs to be registered as a 2010 car. The year I transferred the title over to my name.
The stupidity is off the charts.
As I stated, to get to the main office I would have to get on the freeway and nobody does the speed limit (posted 65. What people do 75 plus). To take side streets it would take around an hour to get there and its all stop and go traffic. Something I'm not to excited to do.
I've been putting this off but I guess I need to get it done.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Just a quick update
No new issues to report
No codes
Cooling system is working. No over heating issues.
AC is working fine.
And I have made an appointment with the DMV to register the car
With the over population here you have to make an appointment now to register your car. No more walk ins.
Just to show how bad it is here my appointment is for 4-28-2025. A month away.
We'll see if They'll give me plates for the car or if they find some reason not to.
No new issues to report
No codes
Cooling system is working. No over heating issues.
AC is working fine.
And I have made an appointment with the DMV to register the car
With the over population here you have to make an appointment now to register your car. No more walk ins.
Just to show how bad it is here my appointment is for 4-28-2025. A month away.
We'll see if They'll give me plates for the car or if they find some reason not to.
Fingers crossed that it’ll be a happy non-event for you.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
I think I'm being tested. or it just wasn't meant to be.
Got the new babysitting schedule and I have the baby the day I'm scheduled to go to the DMV to get the car registered.
Next time thats available is late in May.
The smog test certificate will have expired by then, so I'll have to get the car re tested.
So the car will sit now for another month before it gets plates. (If everything goes OK).
Late in May the temps here will be getting into or close to the 100's so it will be a good test if the cooling system and the AC will handle the hot temps that we have here.
Got the new babysitting schedule and I have the baby the day I'm scheduled to go to the DMV to get the car registered.
Next time thats available is late in May.
The smog test certificate will have expired by then, so I'll have to get the car re tested.
So the car will sit now for another month before it gets plates. (If everything goes OK).
Late in May the temps here will be getting into or close to the 100's so it will be a good test if the cooling system and the AC will handle the hot temps that we have here.
Four words: Custom Sterling baby seat.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Once she figured out how the horn worked you couldn't get her out of it.
Her name for the car now is BEEP! BEEP!
Her name for the car now is BEEP! BEEP!
Finally a driver with plenty of headroom.
That’s cute.
That’s cute.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Why I just can't leave things alone I don't know.
More drama
Well I was just thinking about how the brakes should have more feel to them (since they are power assist).
So I pulled the vacuum line at the engine and applied a vacuum to the line.
System didn't hold a vacuum. I could get it a reading but it would quickly bleed off. I assume it should be holding a vacuum.
So the line is capped off at the engine till I find the problem.
I'm sure this had some effect on the performance of the engine also. Haven't ran the engine yet to see if there is any difference in performance.
If its at the booster, it will not be fun to get access to.
More drama
Well I was just thinking about how the brakes should have more feel to them (since they are power assist).
So I pulled the vacuum line at the engine and applied a vacuum to the line.
System didn't hold a vacuum. I could get it a reading but it would quickly bleed off. I assume it should be holding a vacuum.
So the line is capped off at the engine till I find the problem.
I'm sure this had some effect on the performance of the engine also. Haven't ran the engine yet to see if there is any difference in performance.
If its at the booster, it will not be fun to get access to.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Found the problem
Bad connection at the vacuum reservoir tank
Tested the whole system and everything else holds a vacuum including the booster.
still have parts to reinstall but when its all back together I'll give it a drive test.
Bad connection at the vacuum reservoir tank
Tested the whole system and everything else holds a vacuum including the booster.
still have parts to reinstall but when its all back together I'll give it a drive test.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Finally took the car out to get it smog checked again. Its been over 90 days since it was tested last and it needed to be tested again. (it passed)
As far as the vacuum issue goes the engine never ran smoother. Short term fuel trims were lower and the feel of the brakes was better.
This is the scan report
If anyone see's something not right please let me know
As far as the vacuum issue goes the engine never ran smoother. Short term fuel trims were lower and the feel of the brakes was better.
This is the scan report
If anyone see's something not right please let me know
ThreeTimeTom
Member
Fantastic!!!