So, about 9 months ago I bought an 81 Conv, looks fairly nice but had some problems, mainly water leakage and a crappy engine.
The end of summer comes along (and some money) so I decide to fix the car and get it going for my g/f.
So, the 1.6l engine was shot so I swapped in a rebuild 1.7 from my previous car.
Another problem I knew it had was apparently due to the water leaks and happened right before I went to look at the car when he started it, the fuel pump relay fizzled and burned (bad looking). A jumper wire was able to get the car home.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...8.jpg (front)
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...9.jpg (back)
There was also some crappy wiring job done to the car, no idea what exactly it's doing but it's for the starter. I think it's an after market starter relay. One wire to the ground on the battery... why it's not grounded to the body I don't know. 2 wires going to the starter, one of these wires is connected to the original red/black (I think) starter wire that goes through the firewall. The other just goes right to the starter. Another wire goes up under the rain try and is fused, it then goes down to the original red/black starter cable that goes right into the firewall and I’m assuming to the fuse block, also connected to this same wire at the female spade where it connects to the relay is another wire, this wire goes to the cold start valve… wth?
After finding a bad ground that prevented it from turning over, I finally got it to turn. However it was not starting which confused me as nothing had changed but the motor, though it had been sitting for almost 2 years (the engine for 2 years, the car for almost 1 year).
So I blew my mind wondering what was wrong, I checked the static timing 3 times, changed the plug wires around many times, swapped coils and distributors a few times, etc.
Now I was getting angry, I pulled a fuel injector; number 1. Made sure it was spraying and it was (still did not check spray patterns). I tried to start it again, nothing. Then I disconnected the jumper on the fuel relay and turned it over a few times, it started up and ran PERFECT for about 2 seconds until the gas in the lines ran out.
Meanwhile a new fuel pump relay was on order, I picked it up and hoped beyond hope that it would fix the problem… nada. Normally with a relay installed and the car turned to acc. The fuel pump will pressurize the system and then shut off. It does not do that, however when I turn the engine over it does turn on the pump. If I turn it over for just 1 second and then off it will finish pressurizing.
Any insight into this problem? I’m almost 100% sure it’s messy wiring either from one of the previous owners, water or both! Though it maybe a bad fuel pump/injector, etc.
There are a few wires disconnected near the fuse block that I have no idea where they go. There is also one wire coming from the fuse panel to the engine compartment with a fused link and a female spade connector that seems to go to nothing. It’s got 12v on it and is not stock.
Here are some extra photos/questions.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...1.jpg
On the left hand side of this picture you can see a burned out plug, anyone know what that’s for? The wire is 100% missing from the socket. Also, you can see a small black wire that’s been sniped off.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...2.jpg
This is the fuse panel, I don’t know what fuse is for what, if anyone can full me in, thx.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...3.jpg
Any chance someone knows what this wire is for.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...4.jpg
Same wire as above.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...5.jpg
Just incase anyone sees something that looks messed up. (Other than worn wires, exposed wire, burns and corrosion.
)
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...6.jpg
Same reason as above.
The end of summer comes along (and some money) so I decide to fix the car and get it going for my g/f.
So, the 1.6l engine was shot so I swapped in a rebuild 1.7 from my previous car.
Another problem I knew it had was apparently due to the water leaks and happened right before I went to look at the car when he started it, the fuel pump relay fizzled and burned (bad looking). A jumper wire was able to get the car home.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...8.jpg (front)
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...9.jpg (back)
There was also some crappy wiring job done to the car, no idea what exactly it's doing but it's for the starter. I think it's an after market starter relay. One wire to the ground on the battery... why it's not grounded to the body I don't know. 2 wires going to the starter, one of these wires is connected to the original red/black (I think) starter wire that goes through the firewall. The other just goes right to the starter. Another wire goes up under the rain try and is fused, it then goes down to the original red/black starter cable that goes right into the firewall and I’m assuming to the fuse block, also connected to this same wire at the female spade where it connects to the relay is another wire, this wire goes to the cold start valve… wth?
After finding a bad ground that prevented it from turning over, I finally got it to turn. However it was not starting which confused me as nothing had changed but the motor, though it had been sitting for almost 2 years (the engine for 2 years, the car for almost 1 year).
So I blew my mind wondering what was wrong, I checked the static timing 3 times, changed the plug wires around many times, swapped coils and distributors a few times, etc.
Now I was getting angry, I pulled a fuel injector; number 1. Made sure it was spraying and it was (still did not check spray patterns). I tried to start it again, nothing. Then I disconnected the jumper on the fuel relay and turned it over a few times, it started up and ran PERFECT for about 2 seconds until the gas in the lines ran out.
Meanwhile a new fuel pump relay was on order, I picked it up and hoped beyond hope that it would fix the problem… nada. Normally with a relay installed and the car turned to acc. The fuel pump will pressurize the system and then shut off. It does not do that, however when I turn the engine over it does turn on the pump. If I turn it over for just 1 second and then off it will finish pressurizing.
Any insight into this problem? I’m almost 100% sure it’s messy wiring either from one of the previous owners, water or both! Though it maybe a bad fuel pump/injector, etc.
There are a few wires disconnected near the fuse block that I have no idea where they go. There is also one wire coming from the fuse panel to the engine compartment with a fused link and a female spade connector that seems to go to nothing. It’s got 12v on it and is not stock.
Here are some extra photos/questions.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...1.jpg
On the left hand side of this picture you can see a burned out plug, anyone know what that’s for? The wire is 100% missing from the socket. Also, you can see a small black wire that’s been sniped off.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...2.jpg
This is the fuse panel, I don’t know what fuse is for what, if anyone can full me in, thx.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...3.jpg
Any chance someone knows what this wire is for.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...4.jpg
Same wire as above.
http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...5.jpg
Just incase anyone sees something that looks messed up. (Other than worn wires, exposed wire, burns and corrosion.

http://members.shaw.ca/a1rabbi...6.jpg
Same reason as above.