My '88 Fiero - The Never-Ending Saga

[GTRS Fiero]

On my drive, I made a few stops:









Between the last two pics, some entitled idiot saw me taking pictures, then swung around and parked less than a foot in front of my Fiero.  He thought it was hilarious, and flashed all sorts of stupid hand gestures at me.

[GTRS Fiero]

New problem.  The cruise module may be bad.  Mine has the AR module, so on the lookout for such a module.

Modules on the way.  Apparently, a whole smorgasboard of them: AR, FB, V8, A, and one that has no such marking.  3 people contacted me, so thanks for that.  I'm hoping the parts get here soon.

[GTRS Fiero]

Would you look at that!  At least UPS delivers.

Well, now I have to wait for the rest of the stuff to arrive.

[GTRS Fiero]

I answered your PM. That's a nice kit!

Removing the 88 tubes is relatively easy.
Drain the coolant.
Remove the spare tire tub (really the hardest part).
Raise the car. Do not use the center pad of the front crossmember.
Remove the hose clamps and hoses.
Remove the plate (or whatever you want to call it) from the center of the front crossmember.
Remove the clamps from under the rockers.
Tubes should be free to drop out.

Exactly like that.  Going to replace that section of tube next week.

[GTRS Fiero]

The vacuum hose going to the transmission is hard and collapsed near the modulator, so will be replaced.

[GTRS Fiero]

Coolant tube section replaced.  I'm hoping the flow is better.

[GTRS Fiero]

And the battery is dead.  45 CCA.  Not going to cut it.

[GTRS Fiero]

All back together and on the ground.  Stalls constantly.  Just to be sure the fuel wasn't low, we added 3 gallons of gasoline.  That did a whole lot of nothing.  No fuel leaks.

Going to check fuel pressure.

[GTRS Fiero]

Fuel pressure is 38, which seems a bit low.  Fuel pressure goes up when the throttle is opened.  Who knew?  I expected it to go down.

[TopNotch]

Fuel pressure is 38, which seems a bit low.  Fuel pressure goes up when the throttle is opened.  Who knew?  I expected it to go down.

Assuming that the engine accelerates when the throttle is opened, the alternator will spin faster. If it's output is a bit low at idle, the fuel pump may not be getting enough current at idle, but will when you open the throttle.

[GTRS Fiero]

Hmmm.  My alternator certainly puts out low voltage at idle.  Thanks for the explanation.

[GTRS Fiero]

Coolant tube section replaced.  I'm hoping the flow is better.

What do you think would be the net effect of this?

[GTRS Fiero]

Back in November, I took my Fiero for a drive, but never anticipated the results.  Today, my Fiero returned home.  Yes, it had been home several times, previously, since that drive, but this is the first time in 5 months that is has been home, and the results of that drive repaired.  Yes, there were other factors, but now the exhaust leaks, transmission fluid leaks, vacuum leaks, and coolant flow issues have all been resolved.  All told, my Fiero had been home 9 days of the last 5 months.  Probably 3 days per week, work was done on my Fiero.  I'm not claiming that progress was made, but not for a lack of trying.

[GTRS Fiero]

My left headlight stopped going up.  I went to check on the motor, and the knob on top spins freely.  I suspect a motor rebuild is in my future.

[TopNotch]

Probably those little torque pins inside the motor. For a quick replacement, buy a hot glue gun stick, cut pieces of it to the appropriate length, and use them for new torque pins.