New Member from Michigan

Hey guys,

  I just purchased my 1994 Caprice wagon a couple months ago. I have always loved wagons, and have owned a few. Nothing as big as this boat though. Growing up, my family had a 95 RMW bought new. This one replaced my wife's 2003 Pontiac Montana. She absolutely refuses to drive the caprice so I took it over. I personally think it is slightly cool and surprisingly fun to drive. I live in SE Michigan. I'm a driveline build technician at Mclaren Performance Engineering in Livonia. I have been passionate about cars since I was a kid. I've built a few and owned a bunch. I bought this car cheap and its really not nice enough to drop a bunch of money into. Probably just make it a little faster and drive it for a couple years.
So far I have put in new stereo, radiator, water pump, Accel Opti, 8mm wires, Summit Racing mufflers, and my driver's side long tube header. Other mods done before I got the car include cat delete, resonator delete, trailer brake controller, remote start (unhooked and i don't have fobs), cowl hood and ss grille. Car is in decent shape for how old it is. Typical rust on lower rear quarters, floor pans rusted, bondo and repaint on driver's door and front fender. It runs strong and i'm working out the bugs. Supposedly has 140k on it but with non functioning lcd display I really can't be sure. I did notice when the rear windows fogged up I could see the logo for Personal Street Rods in Livonia MI. Might try to make contact and see if I can find out some history.

Problems:

• Random check engine light - can't find scanner to read
  
• Lousy heat - coolant flushed, core flushed 3 times, comes and goes
  
• No keyless entry - has unhooked remote starter with no fobs
  
• Cooling fans wired to switches in ash tray - need tsb harness
  
• No high beams - pull lever and lights go out
  
• No LCD speedo - tried easy things, dash trimmed inside probably had custom gauges at one point, not sure if cluster bad or wiring has been damaged
  
• Obviously rust repair
  
• Pass key fault, air bag, abs lights on
  
• No ABS - wish it worked but won't put money into fixing. RTV on rear diff cover. Maybe regeared w/o proper reluctor
  
• Missing rear wiper blade
  

Future Plans:

• Fix above issues
  
• Might do body work and cheap paint
  
• Freshen up engine and heads and drop in a mild cam
  
• Probably go 3.42's out back (will serve road trip duty so i don't want to kill highway mpg
  
• Rebuild the 4L60
  

I look forward to learning from the members on this site and getting to know you guys. I linked some pics, but it won't let me post them for 7 days. You'll just have to use your imaginations. Its all white with a black cowl hood.

-Sean-

Hey Sean

Welcome aboard!

There are quite a few members from out your way. You'll find lot's of knowledge and good guys here. But, I can see that you bring quite a bit to the table also.

Post some pictures when you can. I think you have to have 5 posts first.

Tom C.

Welcome Sean to the madness,sounds like you already have it pretty bad!

Quote :

No high beams - pull lever and lights go out

Easy, dimmer switch. Top of column, about 12 bucks. 1/2 work for you. Drop the bottom dash trim, unbolt the black knee bolster, take out the two big nuts that hold the column up. Lower column onto seat. Flick the high beam lever so you know what to change, it will be obvious. Three 10mm nuts, one electrical connection. Install the new one, slide it into place, tighten nuts. Pull the pin, check the operation. If you wiring looks burned, replace the pigtail. Put everything back together, enjoy high beams!

Quote :

Random check engine light - can't find scanner to read

Paper clip across 2 terminals will flash the code on the CEL.  Count the flashes.  It works on my 92 and did on my 93.

Michigan rust is hard to avoid, mine is a constant reminder.

64osby wrote:

Quote :

Random check engine light - can't find scanner to read

Paper clip across 2 terminals will flash the code on the CEL.  Count the flashes.  It works on my 92 and did on my 93

It doesn't work for 94. Apparently that's when they started changing the system and it requires a scanner to pull codes. Unfortunately most of the people they have working at the local auto parts stores don't even know what obdI is, so I'm having a hard time finding a scanner to work. I may just end up buying a cable and tuning software since that's where I'll end up anyways with this car.

WhiteWagon wrote:

64osby wrote:

Quote :

Random check engine light - can't find scanner to read

Paper clip across 2 terminals will flash the code on the CEL.  Count the flashes.  It works on my 92 and did on my 93

It doesn't work for 94. Apparently that's when they started changing the system and it requires a scanner to pull codes. Unfortunately most of the people they have working at the local auto parts stores don't even know what obdI is, so I'm having a hard time finding a scanner to work. I may just end up buying a cable and tuning software since that's where I'll end up anyways with this car.

I have one of the OTC code scanners from 1993 that reads my OCC.Uses these plastic cassettes for various makes and does a very good job reading all areas.This came in a giant plastic case that about 4 feet long,2 feet tall and about 8 inches thick.Its called a monitor 4000 enhanced and compared to the new scanners its truly a dinosaur.

jayoldschool wrote:

Quote :

No high beams - pull lever and lights go out

Easy, dimmer switch.  Top of column, about 12 bucks.  1/2 work for you.  Drop the bottom dash trim, unbolt the black knee bolster, take out the two big nuts that hold the column up. Lower column onto seat.  Flick the high beam lever so you know what to change, it will be obvious.  Three 10mm nuts, one electrical connection.  Install the new one, slide it into place, tighten nuts.  Pull the pin, check the operation.  If you wiring looks burned, replace the pigtail.  Put everything back together, enjoy high beams!

Sounds easy enough. Thanks for the info!!

Welcome aboard, Sean!
Should I be watching for your wagon on the road near Troy?

JoeT wrote:

Welcome aboard, Sean!
Should I be watching for your wagon on the road near Troy?

I live in South Lyon and work in Livonia. Don't get out to the Troy area. Not too far away though.


Here are a couple pictures of the white whale:







Sorry for the crappy pictures. I will get some better ones when the weather permits. There really isn't a picture that's gonna make it look good though. It is fun to drive and can haul the groceries with a quickness!