[V8] HELP NEEDED FROM THE SOUTH OF THE CONTINENT

[Leo]

Hello !!

I need a little help with some V8 issues:

 

1)      Front suspension: Since I've bought the car there were some noises
in the front. I started with all engine mounts, then the inserts of the
shocks.  Noises were still there and I replaced the sub frame mounts (all 4)
and together with it, I also replaced tie rods, control arms & ball joints,
etc. and every single bushing in the area including stabilizer bar ones.
All these elements needed attention anyway.   The noise is still there
(maybe a part of it I cannot isolate it) but is strong enough to ruin the
ride.    Almost everything is new and done by people I trust with exception
of the cartridges that for some reason I have my doubts about  who did the
job .    Any suggestions? What should I check first? What could be making
such a noise? (It sounds and feels like some rubber parts are missing, but
only in some bad cobblestone or regular roads).

Since springs and shocks I can get here, I was thinking on getting
everything else for that section and I wonder if they are sold as a kit or
how? (sleeves/supports/caps/buffers/rings/etc.) I temporarily cannot access
ETKA and VAGCAT.com seems to have a mistake of some kind and is very
confusing, if anybody can list the parts and part numbers it will be very
much appreciated.

 

2)      CAT light started  to blink every once in a  while. A sensor that is
located in the exhaust at the level of the front passenger seat was adjusted
and then the CAT light started to blink quickly and constantly and never
stopped.

 

3)      Mode selector?: Despite this few things and others that need
attention (I also need radiator hoses), the car is running well. A week ago
I was in a highway and decided to speed up. Everything was fine up to 120 or
125 mph (in Economy mode). On the way back I selected the "SPORT" mode and
after a minute or two it felt like a little explosion or some kind of
electrical problem and started to stop, it suddenly lost all power. I turn
the selector back to "E" and it corrected the situation. No more problems at
any speed. A couple of days later tried it one more time and again I had the
same reaction, again put it back in "E" and again situation corrected.

 

I wonder if "S mode" problem has something to do with the CAT light issue?

At the same time most of the instrument cluster lights (PRND321) 1, 2 and 3
work 20 or more minutes after I start the car;  seat belt alarm/ Oil
Pressure/ Gasoline and water temp. gauges, they all go on and off as they
wish. (Everything was working ok when summer began and is still very warm
and humid).

 

Any help or comment is really appreciated;  since is a big effort to get the
parts and bring them to Argentina I need to get every correct part I need at
once to do the complete section of the car.

 

Thank you all

 

Leo

1990 V8 3.6   in Buenos Aires