(http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9164/pintofd3.jpg)
There is my 1979 Ford Pinto, before buying it, it was left alone in a field for quite sometime. There is some rust near the bottom of the sides and the back and the interior is pretty much in need of a whole new makeover. Torn up carpet, cracked dashboard, really dirty.. etc. Now it has been stored in my garage and i've been having troubles trying to get it up and running again.
Problem 1) Battery drainage. First, this Pinto has a new battery and altenator. The battery has been tested and it works fine. Once the car is running, it is fine. However, once the car is off, if you wait for about 5 minutes without starting it, it won't start back up unless another car will give you a jump. This is the main reason why I haven't gotten to drive it much. I've been told this could be caused by many reasons, but im not too sure what they are and I haven't had much time to get ahold of someone to look at the car.
Problem 2) E-Brake. After I had a guy put on my new masters cylinder the e-brake stopped working all of a sudden. No idea why.
Oh, and it has new windshield wipers lol. I would've already had this car going on the road if it wasn't for the first problem, so if any of you all know what to do, help me out. It's a 4-cylinder, new battery/altenator, master cylinder and has fresh oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid. Again, the battery has been tested and works. Thanks ahead.
Welcome
1) Electrical stuff can be a nightmare; give me some time to think about it. You might need to start by isolating circuits.
2) Might not be related, just that something broke? Out of adjustment?
BTW: Nice to see another Tan Pinto, even with mine now yellow.
Bill
If it drains to the point where it wont crank fast enough within 5 minutes, there would have to be a SERIOUS load on the battery for a short amount of time.
When you try to start it after the 5 minutes, will it turn over at all? Or is it just dead as a doornail?
Something seems funny about the scenario.
When you have the starting problem, is the car up to operating temperature? If so, you may have a timing issue. It may also be the starter going bad. I've had both probs with my '74 at one time or another.
As for your e-brake, I'd bet that the new master cylinder is pulling the rear shoes back in further than before. This will require an adjustment of the E-brake cable. That's under the cover on the trans tunnel. Tighten the nuts to tighten the cable.
BTW Fastback390 I need one of the wheels from your yellow car :) Barring than that I'd settle for one center cap. HEHE
Quote from: fastbak390 on February 24, 2008, 03:11:03 PM
When you try to start it after the 5 minutes, will it turn over at all? Or is it just dead as a doornail?
Yeah, it'll try to start but will fail.
Quote from: crazyhorse on February 24, 2008, 03:57:43 PM
When you have the starting problem, is the car up to operating temperature? If so, you may have a timing issue. It may also be the starter going bad. I've had both probs with my '74 at one time or another.
I do need a new starter now that you mention it. Someone also said something about a voltage regulator.
Thanks
Hello hooshkin,
It is almost impossible to diagnose an elcetrical problem with anything other than a BRAND NEW BATTERY.
Try getting your Pinto running and warmed up. Stop the engine, and then pull the plug on the regulator.
Wait the required amount of time and then try to re-start.
If your Pinto re-starts then yourt problem is in the charging system.
The regulator is a good place to start replaceing parts.
Start by removing the reg and sandpaper the mounting bracket to make sure you have a good ground.
Also make sure your Neg. battery cable goes from the - side of the battery to the body and then to the engine block.
Pintos have to have this ground to the body as the regulator is on the body.
Most people that replace the Neg. cable do not bother with the tab that goes to the body thuss causing more grounding problems.
From Pintony
So any luck? Or is it still dead.....BTW what is the condition of the fuse box and wiring ,good bad or :wow: as on my 1976 Wagon...Hell at least it started and ran out of the wrecking yard where I found it..... :amazed: Upon rereading your post how is your starter solenoid and the fusible links ? All of your ground's connected all lights work, or dose one work too well or not at all......
Aw'ight ya'll. Here's the deal. See im not too good with cars. But anyways, I lifted the hood up the other day, and there was this tube that somehow had fallen off of the air filter, thus causing it not to start. After reattaching it back, i put the positive cable back onto the battery (I have to keep it off the battery when the car sits out or else that will drain the battery if I keep it on there!).. After waiting a few minutes and trying to start it a few times, I finally got it going.
I also bought a new starter that we'll probably put on tomorrow so i'll let ya'll know how it goes.
But that is the main problem. I don't want to always have to open the hood and take off the positive cable when i have the car sitting out and then put it back on when I want to go somewhere. It's a waste of time and i need to fix it!
Thanks for all the advice n' tips. I really need to get this baby going. I bought it a year ago and still haven't gotten it going. Just never have the time or help. My uncle would've had that thing going the first week I got it if he wouldn't have gone to jail lol.
There was a short in the tugo lights so I took them off. One side was broken already too, so they were useless. We think there was a short in them. Also, we're gonna change the starter as soon as we can get someone to lift the engine up. There's no other way to get that baby out, i've had a good mechanic look at it too. The engine will have to be lifted.
Also, quick question. My dashboard is all cracked up and is ruined. Know any good places where I can buy a new dashboard for my car? Thanks!
-Hoosh
I would go to ebay and look up the seller 1aauto. Here is a link to their auction for a 79-80 dash cap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-80-Ford-Pinto-Dash-Pad-Cover-Cap-New_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ40017QQihZ016QQitemZ260218861970QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
The included instructions and cookieboy's instructional video are both great guides to install it. I used both and mine came out wonderful!
I just got another from 1aauto myself for my current 78 project and here's the video
http://www.fordpinto.com/video/view_video.php?viewkey=3d06de0ca9a15b615367