88 Dodge Aries - stereo stopped working

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ahoier

ahoier

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OK, so I got a newly acquired 88 Dodge Aries lol. Last night I took it for a little test drive and everything seemed smooth for 30k....but did notice some awkwardness

Noticed over-steer in the steering - owner stated rack and pinion unit recently replaced, could that be related? Possibly not "adjusted" properly? Tires are like brand new....

The temperature/thermostate gauge barely moved from the "Cold" side at all the whole 30-40 minute trip. But when I parked it and turned the ignition off it did "move" - any ideas what the problem could be?

High beams work, but low beams don't appear to work. It's got a pull knob to turn on the headlights, but either the high beams are on, or the headlights are off. There's no in between. AFAIK, it's got one of those old halogen high/low combo bulbs...any idea what would cause this problem?

Going over a speed bump or really any "bomp" in the road the car seems like it's bouncing too much...even at low speed, say 15 mph....

Spongy brake pedal - previous owner stated the brakes were recently replaced....

And the latest, today I went into the car and the stereo will not turn on, nor does the "clock" display light up. The car seems to run fine, the cigarette lighter has power, head lights work, turn signals work, horn works, but the clock/display does not.
 
1988 Aries with 30k? Cool find!

I go my licence on a 1985 Reliant, and drove it pretty well daily for 6 months after that - they are good cars!

Pics?
 
Welcome to the 22-year-old-car ownership club!
(I used to be a member).

Originally Posted By: ahoier
OK, so I got a newly acquired 88 Dodge Aries lol. Last night I took it for a little test drive and everything seemed smooth for 30k....but did notice some awkwardness

Are you saying it has only 30k miles? I'd bet it's 130K

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Noticed over-steer in the steering - owner stated rack and pinion unit recently replaced, could that be related? Possibly not "adjusted" properly? Tires are like brand new....

What do you mean by "oversteering"? Is it turning quicker than you'd expect?

Originally Posted By: ahoier
The temperature/thermostate gauge barely moved from the "Cold" side at all the whole 30-40 minute trip. But when I parked it and turned the ignition off it did "move" - any ideas what the problem could be?

My first thought is that the thermostat is stuck open, or there isn't one installed.

Originally Posted By: ahoier
High beams work, but low beams don't appear to work. It's got a pull knob to turn on the headlights, but either the high beams are on, or the headlights are off. There's no in between. AFAIK, it's got one of those old halogen high/low combo bulbs...any idea what would cause this problem?

Look in the footpan near the kick panel on your left. You will probably see a small (3/4" diameter) button. It's for switching high/low beams and is operated by your left foot.

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Going over a speed bump or really any "bomp" in the road the car seems like it's bouncing too much...even at low speed, say 15 mph....

Having owned a Plymouth Caravelle (same car, just longer) I can say that the front strut units probably need to be replaced. And...replace them soon, or all that extra motion can cause transmission issues as the shock (if you bottom out) will impact on the trans and shaft seals.

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Spongy brake pedal - previous owner stated the brakes were recently replaced....

Could be a couple things - low fluid in the brake reservoir, air bubbles in the system, or that's the way it's supposed to be. I'd check the level, bleed the brakes and drive it.

Originally Posted By: ahoier
And the latest, today I went into the car and the stereo will not turn on, nor does the "clock" display light up. The car seems to run fine, the cigarette lighter has power, head lights work, turn signals work, horn works, but the clock/display does not.

Check the fuse for the radio. If that's ok, it could be the ignition switch or just that the 22 year old Chrysler radio is shot. Of course you could always call the previous owner and ask if there was a trick to make the radio work.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlmoQTSoQYo

grin.gif
 
Good old Aries K :)

Guy at work here has one, is a 86 2.2 carbed with like 220K on it.

Gauge probably needs a new sending unit, threaded into the head.

Steering, check the fluid and freshen it up.

I bet the low beams are shot, go buy a new headlamp and see if the low beam wroks or check the connection for voltage.


Radio, check the fuse. Radios from that are were garbage to.
 
I would think there should be salvage units available, either through car-parts.com or through eBay. That is, if the problem is traced to the radio itself. Aren't aftermarket units cheap?

I agree with the temp sending unit to be a problem. When you remove it, clean the crud off the business end and see if the tip brass covering has corroded through.
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
1988 Aries with 30k? Cool find!

I go my licence on a 1985 Reliant, and drove it pretty well daily for 6 months after that - they are good cars!

Pics?


I occasionally, reluctantly, admit that I too once owned an 85 Aries. I wouldn't say it was a "bad" car, but I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call it "good" either...
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Lee Iaccoca's car! "If you find a better car, buy it"!


Thankfully, I never bankrupted myself by accepting this challenge. . .
 
Originally Posted By: fredjacksonsan
Originally Posted By: ahoier
High beams work, but low beams don't appear to work. It's got a pull knob to turn on the headlights, but either the high beams are on, or the headlights are off. There's no in between. AFAIK, it's got one of those old halogen high/low combo bulbs...any idea what would cause this problem?

Look in the footpan near the kick panel on your left. You will probably see a small (3/4" diameter) button. It's for switching high/low beams and is operated by your left foot.

Nope. This car's high beams are switched by pulling the stalk toward you. Just like "regular" cars.

I had an '88 Aries wagon. Some K-cars are good cars.
 
Correct. Chrysler had to come up with a "sensible" car to appease the government backers of the loans. The government couldn't help bail out a company that makes "frivolous" vehicles. That's why the Aries looks like it was designed by the government.

Once the loans were paid off, Chrysler came up with exciting cars like the Dayton/Laser and turbocharging. I know it's passe now, but if you can remember, the Daytona was cutting edge for its day.
 
It is 22 years old.

First things first, timing belt. I know it's less than half the normal interval but unless you know it's been changed recently, I would change it.

Shocks and struts. Rear shocks are real easy and cheap.

The stereo? My '86 Shelby Daytona Turbo Z's factory radio might still be in the shed....might. It has a Fujitsu Ten sticker on the top of it. I don't know if the whole thing was made by Fujitsu Ten or just that part of the Cassette stereo. But I do know virtually every brand name aftermarket stereo CD/MP3 player is going to be better. I would just go to a stereo shop and pick out a nice affordable replacement....and shortly after that you'll need speakers when 22 year old speaker surrounds start to try to move and flex.

The thermostat and sending unit. That engine is wonderful for DIY. Distributor, thermostat, plugs, oil filter....almost everything is right on the front of the engine. Accessible just by opening the hood!

Headlights, start with the easy stuff. Pull the headlight out and check with an inexpensive 12v circuit tester or multi-meter. You could probably stand some new halogen sealed beams in there just for safety sake.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu_Rock

Nope. This car's high beams are switched by pulling the stalk toward you. Just like "regular" cars.

I had an '88 Aries wagon. Some K-cars are good cars.


Or that. :)
 
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