Guesses
Matthew and I worked for another half day on the BMW, tryiing to solve the starting problem. If we jump it, the car starts, but left to its own battery it cranks away in descending gasps. Dimitry suggested that we change both ground wires, and the only one left was the battery negative to the engine block. It’s attached in a near impossible to reach place, beneath the carburetor and behind a series of rubber hoses. But Matt, contorting his arms like Plastic Man of the Fantastic Four, managed to release the cable.
Thinking it was a corroded ground at the engine block, we (okay, I) decided to connect the new ground elsewhere. This time, near the shock strut, where it would be easier to reach. I know, the inescapable corollary is looking for a lost object, not where it was lost, but where the light is best. But I really thought the new ground was a good as the old. We sanded the nut and washer, scraped off all rust from the metal strut housing, and attached the cable. Matt then hopped in to start the car. Nothing. Or nothing beyond solid clicking sounds, as if the solenoid couldn’t engage the starter motor.
“Are you sure the new ground is a good as the old one?†Matt asked.
“We tested it with the ohm meter, and the needle moved, so I’m guessing it is.â€
“How many times can you “guess†and have it be right? I mean, this is a car. Don’t things have to be more than guesses?â€
“Good point, let’s flatten your arm with my framing hammer and see if you can put the cable back where it belongs.â€
Matt squeezed his arm in again, and, with much effort and pain, screwed the cable to the block. This time the car did turnover, but with the same weak, cranky sounds.
No more guessing – next stop, Sawyer’s Automotive repair.
Christmas 1952 – Helen, Michael, Brian, Joan, Peter
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One can only assume that Mack’s at the shutter — no tripod or self-timer shot, that! Which makes one wonder what caused all the riotuous gaiety — something Mack said? Or did he just happen upon and capture Christmas glee? The sweet, unselfconscious immediacy in everyone’s faces almost assures the moment’s causes are not remembered.
Nice to see Mike looking and smiling like young Matt, and making eye contact — not standing deferentially to the rear and side, at attention, as in all the writing course pictures…….
The Bimmer’s a test of many things, not least of your ability to ask for help.
Comment by look outside — January 4, 2004 @ 5:15 pm
Michael,
With the few details you have given, I have some ideas. First, and foremost, if the battery is more than 3 or 4 years old, it is probably junk. The best thing to do would be to give it a very long charge with a good battery charger, and test it if you can. Many auto parts stores that sell batteries have a battery load tester, it must be tested under load, not just how many volts it has stored. Most stores will test it for free. I have found in my own experiences that auto batteries won’t last much past 3 to 4 years, no matter what the brand. If you have already done this, we can move on.
You had already worked on the ground strap, and that also would have been a good culprit. Check to see if it is the only one. Also check the positive and negative cables for wear, and make sure you have good clean surfaces on the cable and battery post. It really does not matter where on the block you attach it, as long as it provides a clean surface. The cable itself may be bad, even if it looks good. Many times they deteriorate from the inside out.
If the battery is fine, and cables and ground are fine, maybe there is a short inside the windings of the starter motor. It seems interesting that if you jump the car, it starts, but not on its own. My guess here goes back to a bad battery.
Let me know how it comes out.
Comment by Dave — January 4, 2004 @ 5:19 pm
Methinks that with BMW expenditures your wife could be driving a newer car and Mathew driving her old car.
Comment by naysayer — January 4, 2004 @ 5:44 pm
My understanding is several new, well-charged batteries have gone down with this ship, so the cause lies deeper (though I have no suggestions, alas). But to naysayer’s perfectly reasonable suggestion, this molehill will yield a more interesting mountain — what blog interaction could two generic, working cars have caused? What memories? Scant consolation now, but someday…….
Comment by counterpoint — January 4, 2004 @ 5:53 pm
Is that you on the left? What a sweet little boy haircut. I love pics like this. You must identify everyone as I don’t know your siblings. Very sweet picture. More, more.
Comment by chris — January 4, 2004 @ 8:49 pm