Gary has over 21 years of experience in the car audio and alarm field as he worked for Norton’s Stereo Shop as an installer / technician. Gary was gracious enough to let me know he’d be able to help me and come on by the house to do so. Before he did, we talked a good bit on the subject, and decided to replace the alarm either way, so with his recommendation, I went and purchased a new code alarm for the car and that way we know that it would be good to go and able to control the door poppers properly once we remove the old faulty Viper and install the new alarm.
When Gary got here and troubleshot the car, we were able to get the new car alarm installed and the door poppers working without issue. We also found that the starter kill was nonexistent on the old alarm, so it was not that that was causing the issue with the car not starting. So, with the alarm ruled out as a reason that the car was not starting, we briefly looked at the column some, and found a yellow wire that we thought could be the starter wire that was cut from the column. I told Gary I’d do some research on it and get back with him as to what it was. Gary was a huge help, but he was angry at the car, as it was beating us, so he said he’d try to come back next week sometime (this week) to work on the car and see what else we could figure out. I was very grateful for his offer to continue to help troubleshoot because I can’t do it myself.
SO… Gary came back over on Tuesday, and we decided after I brought him up to speed on the yellow wire.(had posted it and a photo of it on a third gen forum, and it is the old air bag wire that I do not have any more so it is useless wire for me, and not a starter wire) to double check the Clutch Neutral Safety Switch to ensure that switch is actually in good functioning order. My previous mechanic had tested it before, but in the name of thoroughness we figured start there and go bigger if needed. Boy am I glad we did. At first the switch seemed to be working, and then it didn’t, and then it did, and then it didn’t. it turns out, the switch is faulty, randomly. At certain times the switch works and then at other times it doesn’t. Also, Gary noticed when he was under the dash, the mounting of the switch was loose, and not quite dependable. So, we decided to replace it.
AutoZone was our first choice, and they don’t carry it. Quite disappointed and worried that it was going to be a dealer only discontinued part we went to O’reilly’s auto parts. Lucky for us O’reilly’s had it. For 6.09 total plus tax, I had the new part. It’s amazing that a 6-dollar piece of plastic would cause me all this trouble. But it did. We put the part in, and cleaned up the wiring, and tested it 20-30 times. Each time was successful. So, at this time, we’re assuming the car is fixed, and starts without issues now. I went out this evening and started it again, and it started all 3 times without issue as well. I’m ecstatic. Now I can get back to driving my Purple People Eater all that I want to.
Anyways, I want to extend a great heartfelt thank you to Gary. Without him I’d of been unable to figure out the issues with the car, and unable to get the new alarm wired and removed the old one, and honestly would have a dead car in the yard until my other buddy who’s the normal mechanic can get it back into his shop sometime in probably. November knowing how busy he is. So Gary, thank you. You really helped this guy out, and made my month. It was also good catching up with you, and we need to get a meal out sometime together once this stupid virus stuff is over. Thanks man. Seriously. Thank you.
