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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t engage the starter motor. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you sure the new ground is a good as the old one?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Matt asked. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We tested it with the ohm meter, and the needle moved, so I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m guessing it is.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How many times can you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153guess\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and have it be right? I mean, this is a car. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t things have to be more than guesses?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good point, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flatten your arm with my framing hammer and see if you can put the cable back where it belongs.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
No more guessing – next stop, Sawyer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Automotive repair. <\/p>\n
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 … Continue reading ![\"christmas_1952_sm.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/mainecourse.com\/mt\/archives\/images\/christmas_1952_sm.jpg\")
\nChristmas 1952 – Helen, Michael, Brian, Joan, Peter
\nView larger image<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"