----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Albers <Christopher.Albers(at)bubbs.biola.edu>
To: <alpines(at)autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 8:56 PM
Subject: Little annoyances
> A few things that are bothering me or have recently creeped up:
>
> My dash lights seem very dim. They're getting 12v, can't imagine what
> the problem is.
>
Dash lights on Alpines have always been dim...you have to replace the bulbs
with higher wattage.
> The car has started pinging under load recently. I found the vacuum
> advance tube cracked and replaced it, but the problem still persists.
> The timing is set at 10 deg BTDC. Retarding at the adjuster on the
> distributor seems to have no effect. Is the vacuum diaphragm bad? I
> thought pinging was an indication of too much advance.
>
The pinging most likely is from higher operating temperatures due to the
weather. The hotter the engine runs the faster pre-ignition occurs which is
pinging. I would try a 160 thermostat, higher octane gas or just retading
the timing a bit
> At speed the amp meter shows a slight charge. When the battery is
> topped up the meter sits just above zero. However, whenever the engine
> is at idle the meter drops to about -10 amps. What's up with that?
>
It sound like your tachometer is lying to you about the true idle speed. If
the car is idling too slow it will show a slight discharge at lower idle.
Set your idle up a bit higher
> The voltage regulator is brand new and the alternator is just fine. I
> am wondering if this problem contributes to the next problem, which
> is...
>
> Whenever I come to a stoplight the car just wants to die. The idle was
> set at about 800-900 rpm. Also, when I shut the car off, it diesels
> (runs on) terribly (I've had that problem all along). I have tried
> different things to stop it, but have yet to track down the source of
> the problem. Are these problems related?
>
Warmer temperatures will cause a car to run on after key off. Also a lean
idle mixture will contribute to the cause. It is very hard to get the zen
strombergs set just right because of throttle shaft vacuum leaks which cause
a lean mixture and contribute to run-on. a little water injection system
using an electric w/s washer pump and a small jet in the manifold would work
wonders on cooling the combustion chamber prior to key off.
Where should I start looking first?
>
Start at the top and work down. Another sure fire way to stop run on is to
apply the emergency brake after stopping, leave car in first, turn off key
and let out the clutch. I guarantee the engine will not run on ! Herbeam
Sends
> Christopher
>
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