'90 Ciera Ramblings

[TomP]

Always had a soft spot for A bodies, much to everyone's chagrin. The car as it sits:
-few holes in the muffler
-paint and clear coat have left the chat
-torque strut is toast, not really doing anything anymore
-gas gage shows less than what is in tank, sometimes reads empty
-needs plugs, wires, waterpump?
-oil looks good, not milky, has coolant in radiator but reservoir empty... free vice grips that were capping the line between radiator and reservior... gotta see what is what there.... fan won't kick on... anyone have ideas? Pics attached
-interior needs a good cleaning but it's all there...
-glovebox latch is broken, found one and waiting for it to arrive
Hopeful for getting it roadworthy and driving it to work and for grocery trips. Keep walking by the car and smiling, can't help it. Once more free time is available, update 2 coming. Any tips appreciated!

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

Need to start by hotwiring the fans to see if they work at all. Does the AC work? Do the fans kick on with the AC?

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

There is a relay, and you can jump the terminals at the relay.. Or you can run a wire to the fans.

[Zaloryan]

On here, we all share a similar fondness of the A-Body.

1. The original style torque strut "dog-bone" mounts do not hold up well long-term. I replace it with an adjustable solid-rod end assembly. This kit from Rodney Dickman worked well on my first 3300 Cutlass Ciera sedan that I turbocharged and is also equipped on the 3300 Cutlass Ciera coupe I currently own: https://rodneydickman.com/product_in...roducts_id=226

2. The easiest way to see if the radiator fan functions is to turn the Ignition ON and use a paperclip to jumper Pins A & B on the ALDL connector under the dash. This is the same process to get the ECM to pulse any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) via the Check Engine Light on the dash. Once you jumper these two pins, the radiator fan should power on and the CEL will start by pulsing "12" three times, then pulsing any additional DTCs. When it is done, it will start repeating and pulse "12" again. Just jumper the pins and see if the coolant fan kicks on.

3. I recommend Denso spark plugs. The standard "U-Groove" copper plug part number is T16EPR-U15. I also really like Magnecor for ignition wires. They're made of the best silicone insulating material I ever seen on any brand and will be the last set of plug wires you'll ever need to buy for the car. Magnecor part number 6009 is for 3300 equipped FWD A-Body cars.

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

2. The easiest way to see if the radiator fan functions is to turn the Ignition ON and use a paperclip to jumper Pins A & B on the ALDL connector under the dash. This is the same process to get the ECM to pulse any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) via the Check Engine Light on the dash. Once you jumper these two pins, the radiator fan should power on and the CEL will start by pulsing "12" three times, then pulsing any additional DTCs. When it is done, it will start repeating and pulse "12" again. Just jumper the pins and see if the coolant fan kicks on.

Shows how long I have been out of the OBD1 loop! I completely forgot about that!