88 Dodge Aries - stereo stopped working

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You got a 23 year old Chrysler product and you're complaining the radio don't work?? Be thankful a whole lot more doesn't work. Do you have any interest in upgrading to a 2001 Dodge Dakota??
 
woops sorry for the long delay. And thanks for the input.

Yes, the odometer only has ~30k on it....it's actually 28k atm :P

As far as the steering, it just seems like the steering is really "loose" - but as I mentioned (I think...) the previous owner recently replaced/rebuilt the rack and pinion steering unit....no idea WHY or for what reason, but eh....I may just take it to a real mechanic and let them have a "once over" of the vehicle and see what they can find.

For being so low on miles, it just seems odd to have a rack problem....but I did find similar issues with the steering, some TSBs when I was originally researching the car....

And YES I figured out the high/low beams, It's attached to the steering column, left hand side, along with the wipers and windshield wash button :P Pull it towards me and the high beams are on, pull it again, and they go off.

Went to WM to see if they could replace the bulb but they didn't have the "torx" tool to change out the headlight...apparantly it's one of those "complete" units, where the whole bulb gets replaced :) at least I don't have to worry about "glazed" or "hazed" plastic lens covers? :)

In the coming week or so, I will try and get some pics posted. It's a pretty clean car :P But the previous owner tried "rolling on" paint....no idea what kind of paint, or WHY....but it's starting to peel off in some spots lol....

As far as the radio, yea I've been looking around, might just get one of these cheap "Dual" head units that walmart has, can't go wrong for $57 :)

Now an electrical/head light question. Since the high and low beams are "one unit" - is it a good possibility a new headlight change out would fix my low beams not working properly?

And yea, next up is timing belt, and oil change. I don't know how long the oil has been in that crank case, I'm tempted to get a UOA of it....just for shi^s and giggles....there's a slightly faded "Mopar" sticker in the windshield with April 28 as the "next service date" and the odometer hasn't even hit the target date yet :P

Without knowing what oil is in the case (or what mystery products they've added since then even) I'm really considering one :)


As far as upgrading, nah, the car actually isn't too bad, definitely gonna go shopping around for struts/shocks though, since the transmission was recently rebuilt...don't want the bouncing around messing the trans up or anything. But yea, the car is really neat, open the hood and I can actually reach the oil filter from under the hood :)
 
gotta say, this car is fun :) It sure has it's quirks lol. No expensive "scan gauge" needed either! hah.

The other day, I started the car up in the morning and got a CEL....day before it was running fine (other than the coolant temp dashboard gauge "stuck" at cold)...so I take it to advance and autozone to try and get the codes read and apparantly it's "OBD-Zero" they call it :P Their scan tool only works in 96 and newer cars, so the guy told me to look online.

Sure enough, there's a key switch "on, off, on, off, on" combo, and then the CEL flashes the codes....I check it out and I'm getting a 13, 14, 17, and 34...first 2 are "MAP Sensor" related...17 is coolant sensor related (since I guess the sensor is actually not even there....), and 34 is an EGR sensor....

So off to the parts store to order those parts....hopefully that's all it takes :P While under the hood I noticed the translucent "overflow" coolant thing was empty too, so I put some distilled water in there (not too worried, it doesn't get too cold here in FL...) and then about half way filled I hear water hitting the concrete below the car...

BUT, talked to a cpl mechanics and they said it should be OK since it's only an expansion tank, and isn't pressurized. The radiator (brand new even) had coolant in it.

Nice little project car :P Better than 3k down payment and 70 monthly payments of $100+ and I got the title in hand :)
 
I think it's 2.2L not 22hp to whoever said that. Supposed to make like 84hp tho that's prolly gross. I would say 22hp at the outside tire during a rainstorm while turning left on an oil soaked road with mothballs in the tank and splitfire sparkplugs is doable.
 
The huge ford FL1A filter should fit.

For loose steering, jack up each front wheel and grab it at 12 and six oclock, then 3 and 9 and shake. Look at the attaching stuff, should all be tight.

My 94 spirit had a bum radio, I got one from a caravan in a junkyard. Considered ebay but the shipping was more than I paid.

If you think the brakes are set up wrong, it will be a world of difference when you get them right. Could be something simple like rear drum adjustment. If you can get the drum off, it's just held on with rust, you can have a nice look see at what's going on in there. Good luck!
 
It's odd....the Odometer only goes to 85 :P And I hit that today on the drive home. lol. The car still held it's own :)

So far, changed the coolant temp sensor and the MAP sensor....got rid of the coolant code (CEL), but the MAP sensor code is still there....grr....from the sources I've read, it may be a vacuum leak....

The car gets really loud(er than when in Drive) when I switch it into Park and/or Neutral.....and I'm thinking that may be related to the speed sensor....
 
Seems odd....now I'm getting codes 12,13,15,34,55.

Interesting enough, the 14 code, MAP voltage too high or too low disappeared....without any other changes anywhere, and the car still drives like it has.
 
The map sensor setup on dodges is junk. Why they bolted it to the firewall with 3 feet of hose when they could have just stuck it to the manifold like my saturn is beyond me.

I would throw a new sensor and hose on it for giggles. They used the same sensor forever and you might be able to score one at a yard for $2.
 
Never had a K car, but I have had 3 Omni/Horizons and a Shadow. I love that 2.2. Not a lot of power, but it just keeps running. I have had several of the map sensors go out however. When this goes bad, the engine usually won't start (fire). After the second time it went on my, I'd just buy a new one before ever having it diagnosed. Finding sealed beam headlights aren't as easy as it use to be, but I preferred them. You always get a fresh clear lens when you changed your light. You can use a oil filter that crosses from the Fram PH8A, ran them for years. THe timing belt change is a bit of a PITA, but it is doable. The belt is cheap, but to have it done will be several hundred dollars. Also change your strut mount bearing plate when you change the front struts.
I sold one Horizon with 217k miles on it. Ran fine, except the clutch was starting to slip.
 
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neat old car! there is something "practical" about those square bodies. we had the 2.5 variant in a sundance. very reasonable, reliable engine. never hiccuped. I think it could have made a good bit more juice if the intake manifold had been more open.

gotta agree with posts above. this faults on this car are from age, not use. rack prolly needs allignment. cool deal of new radiator and trans. Replace Struts / Shocks!! You can also by permanent headlamps where you just swap bulb capsules if you want. If you buy cibie or another good brand you'll get a better beam pattern than a sealed unit. No problem with sealed units tho, and nothing beats glass over time.

Go aftermarket for the stereo. And yep, speakers will follow shortly.

How are the seats, upholstery?

Mike
 
The seats and upholstery are in great condition for being in Florida (heat....) it's entire lifetime (will eventually tint the windows once I get these mechanical glitches tackled).

Tonight I swapped in the coolant temperature sensor and new thermostat, at least the thermostat "moves" from the cold zone now! :) But the fan isn't engaging, replaced the whole motor even....so not totally sure what's wrong with it.

My stepdad thinks it may be related to a "radiator fan relay" - does the 2.2L have such a thing? And if so, where's would it be located?
 
Yes it does have a fan relay. I need to go look in my manuals to find it.
I have had 7 different 2.2/2.5 cars, most of them turbo. They always did good by me.
 
I have a Haynes manual but could only find information regarding the horn relay and the annoying key chime relay that alerts you of the keys still in the ignition :) Which according to the manual are acessible from the fuse panel area, but no reference to any other "relays" in the manual.....unless it's buried somewhere else in the book....I know they got em since they are sold through rock auto but would like to trouble shoot the part before just blindly replacing it :)
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Yes it does have a fan relay. I need to go look in my manuals to find it.
I have had 7 different 2.2/2.5 cars, most of them turbo. They always did good by me.
Great, I found the relay, got that swapped out, but have a feeling I may need to replace the old harness.....thinking I have a short somewhere because now actually I am getting a fan relay CEL code.....lol. Which I was NOT getting before....BUT, the fan now works?! hah. who-da-thunk-it? :P

I'm looking at the fuse box now, and notice some missing fuses....lol, the fuse panel has no label of what fuse does what (thank god for the Hayne's Manual) BUT, the Hayne's Manual doesn't state which fuses go where....so I'm at a loss there :P Put too small of an amp fuse and it'll blow it, put too big of a fuse, and could cause a fire? :P

Any ideas where to find the correct fuse placement values? The Hayne's Manual I have has a good diagram, But does not list what amperage fuses go where lol...

And sadly, do not have the original owner's manual (off to ebay now for that find btw)...

Thanks for those other k car links, I've taken a gander through those, but sadly, they don't seem to be all that active these days....heh.
 
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