Odd failures ...

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

Well, I spent a little bit of time working on the minor annoyances on my
new jewel (i.e. - 85 4ksq with 204k miles).  

Perhaps the most serious problem was the fact that the horn wouldn't
work unless you force the steering wheel inward (I almost had a BMW 740i
back into me the first day I had the car back on the road!).  I've dealt
with a similar symptom on the urq, so I figured no biggie.  Well, the
problem is that the brass contact ring on the back end of the steering
wheel actually wore through at the normal straight ahead position!  It
doesn't look like the contact ring was designed to be replaceable, so I
guess I'll need to find a steering wheel from a 4kq or urq that is in
good shape.  I assume the Coupe's steering wheel is the same 4-spoke
leather wrapped wheel as well.  

Next, I attacked the erroneous readings from the fuel gauge ... doesn't
read full scale with 60 ohms, so I figure the sender is OK ... pull the
cluster, voltage regulator puts out 9.8v ... in spec.  I guess I need a
fuel gauge as well.  It turns out I suspected this to be the case as the
trip computer seems to have a more realistic expectation for range.  

While I've got the IC off I decide to try to find out why the speedo
cable seems to be making noise ... and find the little bayonet base that
attaches the cable to the speedo head is broken.  Everything still
works, so I doubt I'll do anything about that for a while ...

Finally I decided to look into the fact that the power outside rear view
mirrors didn't work ... first I pulled the switch module to see if there
was any power ... nope.  Fuse is OK, so I check the wiring looms in the
driver's door hinge ... sure enough the plastic sleeve for the loom is
broken, as is one of the wires.  I hear the solenoid for the mirror
click a few times as I play with the switches but no motor ... then
nothing.  The fuse is blown.  I guess there's a short in there
somewhere, but it was getting too late, so I closed everything back up
for the night.  

I guess it may sound like there are a lot of things broken ... but these
are minor things, and I continue to be amazed at how many things work
just fine for a car this old ...

If anyone has any of the parts noted above ... or better yet innovative
solutions that would be cheap or free ... I'd appreciate hearing from
you!

Thanks for your time!

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)