Right now, I have the antenna wired to a temporary switch (I don't like the look of it, it works but, ugh). I was thinking, since I have to remember to lower the antenna every time I park so I can put the cover on the car, maybe I would be well off to wire the antenna to ACC power. Run it through a relay and have the antenna go up when I turn on Accessory power or run power. When I turn the ignition off, the antenna could automatically lower, keeping it safe from the vandals that broke the mirror. Does anyone see a problem doing this? I am open to all opinions. I am going to order a bank of 3 lighted switches with a voltage gauge, a USB port and a USB C port. Get rid of individual switches. I only have two, but would like it to look as nice as possible. Trying to neaten up the wiring in the car as much as possible anyway. With my memory, the fewer things to remember to do, the better off I am.
Chuck, do you have an aftermarket radio in the Cat? Some of them have a blue wire to turn on an amplifier when the radio is turned on. You could wire it to that, if it has it.
Yes I do, I never thought of that. Thank you very much. I will check that out in a couple of days. It got cold here again. Got to go, my Grandson just woke up, yup, morning in the Bridges household comes early!
Hello Rich. Yup, I got a burst of energy this afternoon (after spending the morning cleaning house, company coming in today), so I went out to the car to take care of a few little things that were bugging me. First off, the antenna. I pulled the stereo out of the console I built and low and behold, a blue wire, soldered to a wire I put in for the stereo. Hmm, where did I put the other end. I followed the wire (bad memory) and it terminated in a bundle of wires I had under the dash, right beside the switch. All right, bonus! Cut the sires to length, add heat shrink, solder, heat shrink, and then label the wire. (like I said, bad memory) Then test by turning the car on, antenna goes up. Turn it off, down she goes. So simple, so elegant. I should have remembered, but, Rich helped me, by reminding me about the blue wire. Thank you ever so much. Next, the puddle lights that go on when you turn on a signal, I had converted them into actual signals. I felt that was more useful, since, after all, Canada's worst of the worst drivers came from, you guessed it, Lethbridge, my home town... sigh. The drivers side had quit working. I took out the battery and then took out the 2 bolts holding it into the case. Hmm, bulb looks good, but the socket and the housing has oxidation all over them. I cleaned the socket and the housing, put the bulb back in and turned on the signal... nothing. Hmmm..., ah right, I'm an idiot sometimes. It is only a single wire going to the socket, needs a ground. As soon as I grounded it, on it came. I put a new bulb into it since it is a pain to get to and I had new bulbs. Seemed a no-brainer. While the battery was out, I cleaned up the wiring in the corner where the battery resides. I have a battery maintainer and, what do you know, it fits into the hole where the light socket is. I put it in there, secured it so I could see the indicator lights. . Next, on with the countdown.... sorry, where was I (certainly not Casey Kasem). I went back under the dash and removed all of the wiring and labels from the old switch I removed. If there is one thing I hate, it is unknown wiring, going nowhere (but certain to short something out, my luck). With that done, I replaced the Velcro straps I have to hold wiring neatly, next, got in, started the car and checked all of the lights. Signals, headlights and driving lights... all good. Antenna went up and down with the radio/car power. Everything I worked on is working, no new problems caused by my rooting around. All is good, all splices soldered, everything cleaned up. Ready for tomorrow (I have the kids while the rest of the family works on the garden. New compost, rototill and so on. Too early to plant yet. All of the plants Jenny started are in the kitchen right now, waiting for the May long weekend.) We are going to go out with Gampy's "Muscle Car" as they were taught to call it my their Dad and Uncle. Doesn't matter that I call it my "Personal Luxury Vehicle", Muscle Car has stuck already... sigh. Well, that's all I have for right now, I wish everyone a good night and a better day tomorrow,
Today, after my wife and sister-in-law worked me like a rented mule on the garden, I decided to go for a drive in the car. My eldest son decided to come with me. He noticed that the antenna went up with the car starting and down when we parked and shut the car off. He was impressed that I didn't require a switch. I told him that a friend on V8Buick.com helped me. That confused him as he knows that are no close members to us. I told him, with information and advise. Ahhhh! We went for our drive and, even though it was only 11 C ( ~52 F), I had the windows open. What a great time. William is the one who gets the car when I quit driving, so, he is trying to learn as well.
Okay, been a while. The last few days have been filled with, shall we say, a hectic pace. Yesterday. my Granddaughter, Aria, went in to have her tonsils and adenoids removed, along with a couple of minor things as well. Today, Dad and Mom left for Mexico, Cancun. So, we have the two kids, one of whom is very sore and sad. She is home for a few days to recover. Nana stayed with her, which left Luke, our 4 year old, red headed, precocious Grandson. I decided the best way to entertain him was to take him to play at the YMCA play place. Coming up out of the river bottom, I put my foot down and off we went, until around 1/2 way up the hill when she started sputtering. Pulled over, revved it up, normal. Pulled back on the road and it seemed fine, then, sputtering again. I limped it out of the coulee and onto a side road. I got out, opened the hood and looked around. Nothing obvious showed, so I started wiggling fuel lines. The fuel line output just popped out into my hand. The metal let go. How can a 58 year old part be good still, but a 2 year old fuel pump, falls apart? Okay, I put it back together (Boy it sure pumps a lot of fuel out of the hole) and continued to the Y. Once there, it was closed for private event, bummer. Explain that to a 4 year old who can see kids playing in his play place! I offered him a DQ dipped cone and we left. I pulled into the drive through and turned the car off as it is loud. I ordered his cone and turned the key, nothing. Lights, but no sparky. I got out and checked the cables. Turns out my new POS cable has a bad crimp (Yes, I am using POS to mean more than positive.) I got it working and decided to take Luke to a park he loves. After a cold 20 minutes there, a nasty storm blew in. We high tailed it back to the car about 500 Meters (~550 yards) away. By this time, I am wondering "What next?". I turned the key and, vroom, she roared to life. I took Luke home via the downtown to stop at McDonald's play place. I got him supper, let him play for an hour, then went home. Now, I could whine and moan about the two times my car broke down in one afternoon, but, you know what. I managed to decipher what was wrong both times and with basic tools, get myself back on the road in a matter of minutes. Even a year ago, either of those instances would have led to a call to AMA. I am learning (sometimes forcefully... dang it car, you don't have to slap me so hard!) and still enjoying the learning (should that concern me? I get abused by my car, and come back for more.). My only concern today was that I left my cell at home and couldn't call anyone while I had my boy with me. Not smart, the phone comes with me from now on.
Glad you still had a memorable day. Your grandson will remember the time with you, more than he would have a day of play at the YMCA. Make sure you get that fuel pump squared away! Lost my father to a gasoline fire, so it has always been a number one priority of safety when working on anything with flammables.
I had a chance to get to the car today while Jenny watched the kids. Aria, 6, is recovering from tonsil surgery, she's no problem, but Luke, and energetic 4 year old, well, I am not in my 20's, 30's, 40's or even 50's. I am almost 62, and have the arthritis to prove it. He tuckered me out and I cried Uncle to my wife. She watched Luke with Aria while I went to work on the car. The first thing I did was to remove and re-crimp the positive cable. I then wrapped the cable tightly in red tape to make certain no noobs (me) hook it up to Neg. I took the negative cable off , cleaned all the connections and wrapped it in black electrical tape. You can't be too careful with power. I cleaned all of the cables and connections, and replaced everything. I then, with trepidation, reached in and turned the key. She roared to life (yup, she's loud and I need to replace the y pipe, as soon as I can afford it.) and I breathed a sigh of relief. She started 3 more times in a row. Yeah! I cleaned the light sockets on the signals in the back and was about to move to the front to clean those sockets when my wife called. Apparently, Luke was insisting on Gampy. Tomorrow is another day, I guess. I got to fix the bad wire, differentiate the Pos and Neg, clean up the wiring with double sided Velcro. I mounted the relay to my driving lights with Velcro, verified everything I touched worked better, or looked better, than when I started. I am still cleaning up messes from a previous owner, either Ray (?) or the original owner he bought it from. (3rd owner. feels good, except knowing the car sat in a field for at least 20 years). Tomorrow, I will tackle the fuel issue. I might have to replace a 58 year old fuel pump. I can't seem to trust the quality of new parts these days, even name brand ones that Dad swore by. I am slowly ticking off the boxes on things annoying me. I cannot tackle the expensive items yet, but, with some ingenuity, I can make things work. Well, I am at the end of my rope. Goodnight to all and have a wonderful evening. I am off to Aria's bed beside Luke. Aria needs some Nurse Nana time, so she has my side of our bed. Glad I spent top dollar for her mattress, it is paying off, for me.
Thank you Chuck for keeping us posted. You might think you're only inspiring younger generations, but you are inspiring me (and ours) too. Devon
Okay, I am not quite certain how I could be inspiring any members of this board. Everyone seems much more mechanically inclined than I. Me, I plug away, making mistakes and learning as I go. Today, my antenna ground came loose. The weird problem it caused, antenna spit itself right out of the hole. Being at Walmart, I put the parts in the cab and went home to deliver the Tylenol Pain Liquids for my Granddaughter. Then, I went out to tackle the antenna. It took about an hour to figure it out and, then another hour to repair. I know, cheap $50 antenna, but, it's what I have, and no antenna, no FM radio. That means no oldies station. Can't have that! Afterwards, I spent the rest of the evening with my Grandson, until he turned nasty. After a few "I don't like you!", and "You're mean, you're out of the family!", I turned him over to the tender mercies of Nana. She brooks no nonsense from a 4 year old. He screamed for about 5 minutes, then, quiet. So peaceful... Tomorrow, I need to tackle the fuel issue, before it leaves Jenny or William on the side of the road. I know what to do, but, if I fix it, then no one has to know what to do to get it to run. It'll just, run! Tonight, it ius time for a rest, tomorrow is the Lords day, time to rest. My the Good Lord bless and keep everyone. Goodnight all! Chuck.
I went on Amazon.ca last night, since I couldn't sleep (I inherited insomnia from my Mom, ah well.) and found another antenna, since I don't have a lot of faith in the one I repaired. I think it might just push itself out again. On sale, $20.00 CAN plus $5.00 shipping. Cheap like borsht, as my Mom used to say. They had expedited shipping offers, for $1,100.00. Nope, I can wait an extra 3 - 5 weeks thank you. I am too busy cleaning house and caring for kids to do anything to the car today, and the next 3 days, yup, rain. Well, I guess we do need it as we are in a semi-arid climate in Southern Alberta. I am thinking of looking into the Coaldale car club, but I am a little embarrassed by the car. She looks okay, but not like the beauties I have seen around. I have chipped, tears in the fabric on the passengers side rear, (thanks Luke, my boy). I did tell the guy I talked to that I am building a daily driver, not a show car. It doesn't have the spit and polish others have. But, it runs well, that's what I ask of it.
Your car should be just fine, especially for a driver. I bet you would have the only Cat there, and you should be proud of it!
I was getting ready to drive Luke up to the YMCA Play Place, when my wife called me from our room. Aria had had a bit of a temper tantrum and had blood coming out of her mouth. We got our eldest, William, to watch Luke and headed down to the Emergency department. It was packed, and since my wife had the bleeding pretty much stopped (she put a cold pack on the front and back of her throat. Seems to staunch the blood flow.) I had Will come pick me up as he had to go to work, and I watched Luke. I couldn't even get Luke to go out in the "muscle car". Jenny came home after 4 hours in the Emergency with Aria. For the next few days, we will need to keep things on an even keel around her so as not to raise her blood pressure. I am, admittedly, squeamish when it comes to blood. Mine, no problem, other people, I usually get faint. Today, I was too concerned with Aria to get squeamish. Well, not really about the car today. As close as I got was when I offered to take Luke out. Tomorrow is a fresh day.
Chuck, You inspire many of us, because even with 50 years and some doing this and having knowledge, you are the heart and soul of how we all got here. We all plug away, and still learn things as we go, many times from folks like yourself, unafraid to try. You just keep doing what your doing. Your grandson will always remember these things for the rest of his life. And we get to go along for the ride. tm
Thank you, I really had no idea. Jenny calls this site my "verbal diarrhea". All kind of things come out, some I do not even share with her. I would, if she were interested. I showed her the meme on Where's the funny thread about the bass boat. she thought I was asking and told me "Boat... or... car, not both!" Easy choice, I don't fish, but I love to drive my girl. I so much regret not paying attention to Dad when he tried to teach me about mechanics. I didn't see any use for the knowledge at the time (a teen and knew everything, or so I thought.) so I must have frustrated him to no end. Now, when I really could use the knowledge, I have to learn through trial and error, the manual I purchased on CD (Though it is really aimed at someone with more knowledge than me) or, online. I am so glad I found a community of like minded individuals that are willing to share and encourage. I appreciate this site, and the people on it, more than I can express. Since I retired, I haven't found a friend in Lethbridge, but have many friends online here. What I can offer is 40 years of electronic/electrical knowledge when someone has a problem. The other day, I said I was worried that the antenna would simply spit itself out of the hole again. It's not a worry, I can hear the motor, but the antenna, it doesn't move. Glad I have a new one coming. I washed the car, and then continued on with my wife's Escape, my son's Focus and the neighbours Focus *Didn't seem right to leave hers dirty when I washed all mine, and she had given me permission earlier. When Jenny gets back from the planting in the garden, I am going to steam clean the carpets in the car. It hasn't been done since last fall and my Grandchildren are not, shall we say neat. There is no garbage, but, there is some mud (Spring in southern Alberta.).
Well, today was a hang your head in shame day. I steam cleaned the carpets in the car yesterday (2 hours) and then today, decided to tackle my F150. My Grandkids are at the age where everything is dropped next to them or on the floor. Toys, Ice Cream, Candy, Apple Juice... I spent 4 hours in the cab of the truck. Vacuum, wash, steam clean, Armor All, wash windows, wash truck. I had to steam clean the back seats three times before I was satisfied. I decided to celebrate with a cruise in the car. We went to Value Village to look around. When we came out, I started my old girl, pulled out of the parking lot and..... sputter, sputter, stall. My RockAuto fuel pump. First the output fitting popped right out, now, it isn't pumping fuel. I took off the fuel line between the pump and the carb then told my son William to turn it over. No fuel came out.... crap. A quick call to AMA (Alberta Motor Association) was a requirement. I came home on the back of a deck truck and my wife took pictures and laughed. She then told me if I didn't have a fuel pump, it would be a few months before we can afford one. But, wait... I saved the original pump that I thought failed when the lobe came loose. I cleaned it up so it looked like new (thanks Dad for teaching me to clean parts properly... sorry Greta, but I used a little gas.) and set it aside for tomorrow. I had shouted "Eureka" when I found it. My wife sent William downstairs to tell me "Don't you dare go out and change that out tonight. I need help with the Grandkids.". I get to go out as soon as the kids go home to Mom and Dad (coming back from Mexico tonight). I suspect that my 58 year old fuel pump will give me fewer problems than that new one. Less than 2000 miles on that pump and it dies. I felt so sorry that William had to wait until I got the truck home to come get him. The driver only had room for 1 person, but at least William saw how I determined that the fuel was the issue. I didn't teach them much about vehicles when they were young (Can't teach what you don't know), but since William is going to get the Wildcat when I stop driving, he might as well see both the good, and the bad sides of driving classic cars. Well, I had better go to bed before morning comes (again). Being an insomniac sucks at times, but, on the other hand, it is the only time I get by myself. I wish everyone a good night and a wonderful day tomorrow. PS It's kind of strange how I no longer get panicked when the car dies. I just make plans on how to fix it.
Chuck. Do not be ashamed about the time you did not understand your dad. You recognize it now and are continuing the legacy, Sometimes that is how it works out. In a strange way, this is like "time travel", where he was "speaking to the future you", and now you are "hearing him from that past time". Women have other women that "get them and their important things" and you are experience your things with other guys. It's all good. Accept that there are things that the two of you cannot experience with the same intensity, and having others that share those thongs is a good thing. Tackle each challenge as it comes along, and you will soon realize the car is becoming more reliable and you are becoming more confident at keeping her going and getting in better shape. tm
