"Don't be a parts replacing monkey" - except this one time

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
07/25/2017 at 17:52 • Filed to: None

I once read the above quote on a forum, and it has stuck with me. Diagnosing issues can be hard and time consuming. They are not necessarily definitive, and yes, there are often times when a problem can be solved 80% of the time with this one part. So you throw your hard earned cash on the good odds. But I’ve tried to stick to diagnosing issues and not just following the odds.

But all of that said, I’m a little desperate to get the 996 running, and when the part is a $9 part on Amazon prime with free shipping, you might just decide to take the jump and be a parts replacing monkey.

Project 996 is close. I have the engine in, including wiring harness on, and all coolant tubes and other stuff attached(except muffler). Clutch needs to be bled, and the coolant needs to be filled and bled once it’s running. Here is the catch, I tried starting it a while back and it turned over but no fuel pressure was in the rail. I jumped(jumpered) the relay and I got 55-60psi at the rail. But it still wouldn’t start. I tried some starter fluid once and it “chuffed” a little but I didn’t try more. I haven’t gotten a chance to check spark.

It could be among other things, crank position sensor(but I’ve got two used ones and tried both) or flywheel teeth damage causing signal issues to CPS; DME or it’s relay; harness damage or connection issues; some sort of combination of a few things; or maybe, the part I just ordered which is the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Or immobilizer?

If I don’t get the 996 running, it may be new to me car time. As I got a job lined up in Minnesota, which I’m ecstatic for, and I sold my E34 because it was not worth the effort to move it. As for the new car, it’ll be not too interesting. Focus, or Sonic or something. 3 pedals, light, decent aftermarket, there are worse things...

DISCUSSION (14)

HammerheadFistpunch > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 17:54

going through this right now. I could replace the part I suspect is bad but the labor is more than a used replacement unit. Hard to diagnose.

Urambo Tauro > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 18:03

Never fire the parts cannon without diagnosing things first!

I have an AC issue on my Mustang that I was sure was going to be the compressor. But yesterday I was poking wires with my multimeter, and found a faulty relay module (expensive box with a circuit board and some “non-serviceable” relays inside).

And even now that I know what the problem is, I’m holding off on buying a new module until I see if maybe I can fix with my soldering iron...

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Urambo Tauro
07/25/2017 at 18:17

Normally I’d agree but $10 shipped, so... Just this one time.

Captain of the Enterprise > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 18:20

My brother has a Sonic LT auto with the 1.4 Turbo.

Kinja'd!!!

He’s had a few issues with it. He’s gotten low coolant a few times but doesn’t know where it’s going. I think they replaced his water pump under warranty and that seemed to fix it but then this month it was low again. He also said there some people are having turbo issues. It also has a timing belt so you might want to factor that into the comparison.

Urambo Tauro > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 18:25

Yeah, price makes a difference for sure haha

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 18:36

Sonic is not that bad, it does well at its intended purpose for being really good on fuel & cheap to maintain.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Captain of the Enterprise
07/25/2017 at 18:51

I had trouble finding good feedback on the 1.4t. Thanks for the response.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > HammerheadFistpunch
07/25/2017 at 18:56

Yeah, a person could make a diagram about diagnosis certainty, cost, and then labor difficulty and time.

3point8isgreat > Urambo Tauro
07/25/2017 at 19:06

Those CCRM’s are evil. I need to check with multi-meter, but I’m pretty sure I’m on my 3rd failed one in a few years now? And the best part is it has taken out 2 AC compressors with it. Seems to be switching the clutch on and off too fast so it wears out and eventually turns cherry red and tries to catch fire... twice.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/25/2017 at 23:16

The 1.4 turbo uses a timing chain.

The 1.8 is belt driven.

(I daily drive a Sonic RS if you have any questions.)

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/26/2017 at 09:39

I usually will just replace any original part that could be the culprit that’s sub-$50. Then again my car is pushing 250k miles so most parts that are still original are probably going to die sooner or later anyway.

Past that I usually diagnose to find the part before I buy it.

jonny11quest > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/26/2017 at 10:16

Maintenance items are an exception for me. If I have a misfire and the plugs are due to be changed anyway, change the plugs. If misfire is still there, then diagnose.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
07/26/2017 at 11:25

Most reviewers seemed to like it for the most part. I’ve heard muxed things on the 1.4s reliability. I was eyeing up TCs last night though and what you give up in easy turbo tuning, you seem to get back in looks and reliability.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
07/26/2017 at 11:27

I had 2012 base model sonic with the 1.8L, & a 5spd. It was a fine commuter, good on fuel, but thats about it.