Finally got a DSM... problems already

[Raine87]

I got a 95 talon tsi fwd automatic converted into an eclipse. I eventually plan to swap a 5spd transmission into it. I love this car already, but I have a few issues. I searched and found most of my problems, but a few still confuse me...

Some of my interior lights are out, for example, I have no backlights for the air conditioning controls so I have to use the rear view mirror light to see what Im doing. Also, the backlight on the gear selector for the automatic shifter doesnt work, i cant see "P R N D..." at night. Is there a fuse just for those lights? However, my speedo/ tach lights work fine.

My doors wont lock when I hit the button. I have to manually lock them both. I hear a clicking noise though as if its attempting to lock but just wont do anything.

Did any 95 talons come with foglights? I checked the fusebox inside of the engine compartment and it had a fuse for foglight, but I dont see any foglight buttons on my dash

My check engine light came on, and smoke started coming out of the engine bay. I kind of suspected the dipstick shot out under boost, and it was indeed sticking up. I sat it back in but the CEL didnt go off.. Im guessing itll go off in a day or two.

Also, would anyone by any chance know the part number to the front of the talon tsi sideskirt (right behind the front wheel well). My drivers side one is missing.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[yesItsdsm]

There's a fuse for everything electrical in you car (i'm almost positive).. Go to your local car parts store and buy one of those fuse kits that come with a few different color fuses and a check light. Check your fuses before you jump to conclusions. It's just something you should plan on having to do if you buy a car.

Your door lock problems could be because of the fuse issue also, but if you are positive you can hear the motor and they door just isnt locking, you may have to do a little surgery and make sure the locking assembly hasnt been knocked loose and is not catching anymore.

Im not sure if 95's came with foglights or not - BUT even if your specific model did not come with foglights, the fuse location would still be there - Im not 100 percent on this one

Also you can search the forums if this doesnt help - Searching has helped me greatly

reputation point would be appreciatted

 

[WeaselHack]

Regarding the lighting, I doubt its fuses rather just a burnt out bulb behind the switch. A few of my switches are like that in my 91. I've just never bothered to replace them.

Regarding the dipstick...Check your PCV - im willing to bet its clogged with gunk preventing it from sealing under boost causing pressure to build in the crankcase. You can clean it but if for some reason you decide to replace it, buy it OEM from the dealer. Your local parts store (IE AutoZone) PVCs have been proven to leak under boost in our cars.

95 Talons did come with fog lights but I believe it depended on the trim model. Automatic FWDs may be a lower trim model than manual TSi AWD. If your car did not come with foglights, i would consult eBay if you really want them that bad.

Hope this helps and welcome to DSMs

 

[WeaselHack]

EDIT: Regarding the CLE you can take your car to autozone or the like and they can reset it for you. Or just disconnect your battary for a few minutes and it should clear on its own.

Speaking of clearing CLEs one of your upcoming purchaes should be a datalogger which will allow you to monitor your engine in realtime and read/reset CLEs. Check out MMCd or Pocket Logger: http://www.pocketlogger.com/index.php?pid=obdii

 

[Raine87]

Thanks for everyones help. I noticed that my cigarette lighter socket doesnt have any power either so Im guessing its a fuse.

EDIT: Regarding the CLE you can take your car to autozone or the like and they can reset it for you. Or just disconnect your battary for a few minutes and it should clear on its own.

Speaking of clearing CLEs one of your upcoming purchaes should be a datalogger which will allow you to monitor your engine in realtime and read/reset CLEs. Check out MMCd or Pocket Logger: http://www.pocketlogger.com/index.php?pid=obdii

The 95's can use data loggers?

Another problem, my reverse lights dont work.. Does the fuse connected to the reverse lights share any other electrical components? This car seems to have alot of electrical trouble.

 

[Joeyxx07]

ok strangely i had all the same problems when i first got my 95 tsi. First the lighting issue is the bulbs they get hot and tend to burn out theyre like .30 cents a piece very cheap get those replaced first.

The door locks have this problem, first try pressing the button multiple times in quick succesion that works for me after some time it will come naturally for you.

your foglight button is on the left side of the steering wheel, most times the foglight dash light to let you know its on wont work so if your lights on the button will show you if theyre on.

no idea about the CEL sorry, but go to autozone and say your car is a 1996 talons are something called "hybrids" so the 1995 and 1996 are reversable and they will check it out for free. Write down your codes or just remeber them and come back here and let us know what its giving you.

And yes rep points would be nice ha

 

[Raine87]

Thanks everyone... I went to pep boys and got a new PCV valve and fitted it in the parking lot, the dipstick no longer shoots out during boost (stock boost at least) so that problem is fixed. Driving it around for a day I found more problems though.

I found the fuse to the cigarette lighter, the fuse was fine.. It works. The backlights in the dash and shift selecter are still off though.

I noticed my washer fluid was empty so I attempted to refill it from under the hatch. However it leaks onto the ground somewhere near the catylitic converter. The back windshield sprayer sprays but the front doesnt at all. The hoses going to the hood look fine. Any input?

Passenger side seat doesnt slide back when the slide lever is pulled. Im sure I can figure it out tomorrow when I take a look under it though.

Joeyxx07, are your door locks still intermittent or did you find a solution? I cant seem to get them to work at all.
EDIT: Just went out to check over, the locks move slightly, not enough to lock or unlock though... Could anything be causing resistance?

The reverse lights dont work. They are high on my priorities because its a safety issue. Im going to get a multimeter tomorrow to see if the wires are getting any power at all. Does anyone know what fuse the reverse lights share?
EDIT: I found the reverse light fuse I think... I found a fuse labelled "back up light". The fuse looked fine, Im guessing the wiring or the bulbs must be screwed up.

 

[Joeyxx07]

i just use my locks how they are, try popping off your door panel and checking the switches

change the reverse bulb

passenger seat, i have the same problem again just dealt with it, seems to be much easier if you pull the other level to change the seatback position and put it toward the front all the way, slides much easier that way!

 

[Eclipse98_RS]

Paying to swap it to a 5 speed is way too expensive, if you wanted to make it a 5 speed you should have just bought it that way. As far as the check engine light every eclipse (i know they are a little different but they are similar enough for comparison) I have driven that is modded has the check engine light on... I dont know if its because turbo cars are prone to more problems or what? Mine has been on nearly since i bought it in july. It turned off for a little bit, but then I recirculated the BOV and it turned on again. Plugged up the air intake, i didnt want to recirc. it anymore and it was still on when i garaged it last month. Id just take it to an autozone or pep boys next time you need something and have them clear the code. as far as you back wiper working and your front two not working i have the exact opposite problem... let me know if you find anything out about that

 

[Raine87]

Long day... I tore apart my suspension because it was clunking.. Turns out I got bad lowering springs. Previous owner installed them wrong, and it ruined the struts in the process. So Im going to have to save up for new struts and springs. Im solving problems slowly but surely, but Im encountering new ones as well.

The oil pressure guage was reading 0 when I was driving.. I knew that was impossible because I wouldnt be driving if it really was 0. So I pulled over and looked under the car. There is a wire hanging near the filter and that entire area is sludged up horribly. I guess thats the pressure sending wire. Its also leaking oil slowly from that area. From what I found when searching, sludge in that area is relatively common. Where does the leak normally come from?

Also, kind of annoying.. my rear seatbelt holder is tucked into the bottom part of the seat and it wont pull out. Its like snapped into the down position and wont free itself no matter how hard i pull. The other one works fine. Am I doing something wrong?

One more, I took off the piece of dash under the steering wheel so I could see more of the wiring harness. ALOT of wires are cut and taped. Is that normal? Im thinking the previous owner butchered up the wires pretty bad..