Venting about working on the car thread (NSFW)

[INVUJerry]

My SRT threw a 0522 code a few days ago, and started running like total ASS. Apparently it's the oil pressure switch code. I thought, "Hmm, oil pressure switch, that shit is CAKE on the 1gn, should be similar amounts of cake.

FUCKING WRONG!

To get to the sensor, first, you need to take off the hard pipe off the turbo. Next, you then have to manage to unplug the sensor. Those stupid red clips dodge puts on everything will be the bane of my existance. I couldn't move the thing to save my life. Finally, I'm about to give up and I touch it and it goes "clink" and moves. So I unplug the harness form the sensor.

The next step involved lots of swearing. As awesome as the SRT jackshaft is for equal length axles, they are perfectly in the fucking way. They are huge. To get my socket, extension, and ratchet into place was like playing tetris. Then, the power steering cooler lines prevented me from getting a full swing out of the ratchet.

ONE MILLION SINGLE "clicks" LATER:

I get the sensor out! Huzzah! Let me hurry up and get the new one in now that I can't feel my back (it's 38 degrees outside at this point). Well then, lets get back to the jackshaft. It's in the way. I don't have long fingers. I have to put the sensor back into the socket, and try to guess/feel my way to get it back in the hole. This takes me probably 20 minutes by itself. Then, I repeat the one million single clicks again.

I turn in for the night.

Next day, I put oil in the car, start it up. The code is gone, the oil light is out, but it's still stumbling a little.

I know! I'll change the plugs! I already have them!

Plugs &1,2, and 3 come out great! 4th one, the socket just keeps spinning on the plug, like something is keeping it from bottoming out. I look inside. Well, this makes a very un happy Jerry. The ceramic on the plug had chipped off.



My face:



Anyway, I get the chips out, but something is still preventing me from reaching down through. As you can see, I had slightly rounded the top of the hex on the plug, so, there wasn't enough room to get the spark plug tool down and in.

Here's what I made:





I took an angle grinder an extra spark plug took I had. It worked great!

So, I put the plugs in, start the car. It's still hesitating. I'm stumped now. I go inside the house. Think to my self, you know what, you never reset the ECU. I reset the ECU. The car's fine.

FFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[JeffM]

Damn, Jerry, that sounds like one giant pain in the ass, but it's got me laughing like crazy over here!

Good read.

[INVUJerry]

Took the car for a test drive. Leaves on the turbo. Smells like burnding.

[theColonel]

Sorry you had so much trouble, but the way you told the story was hilarious.

[Themaggots]

Awesome thread!

[bone-yard-racing]

Ive learned since buying mine doing anything on an SRT4 is just like doing anything on a normal neon except 1,000,000 times more frustrating.

[titansxt]

Ive learned since buying mine doing anything on an SRT4 is just like doing anything on a normal neon except 1,000,000 times more frustrating.

Why is this sooooo true?! I can't tell you guys how many f-ing times I've worked on the SRT and been doing a 30 min job for well over 4 hours!

"If you need me I'll be working on the SRT. I'll prob be done in a half hour, then we can get some food."

30 minutes later...

[Midnight_Rider]

And everyone wonders why I don't work on the car myself...

[INVUJerry]

Oh the thought of putting it up for sale definately crossed my mind.

[INVUJerry]

And god help the next person that needs to do the oil pressure switch on this car. The red tab is totally invisible now, so they won't be able to get to it.

[occasional demons]

I have had more trouble with the fulcrum/lever breaking, so when you press it to unlock, the locking end remains locked. Then I have to get the pick hook out and lift it to get the connector off. But yes I have had a few slide locks give me trouble. I just don't slide them back.

[r/tguy02]

But yes I have had a few slide locks give me trouble. I just don't slide them back.

THIS!

[thttxboy]

lol I guess ive just done too many times so to me its easy. I was wondering why u texted me about it but Im glad u got her fixed.

[INVUJerry]

I'd say your arms and hands a little smaller than mine Juan lol. Just a pita to me, and the first time I'd ever taken the hard pipe off the turbo.

[Haganracing]

Damn that sucks man.. Glad you got the car running again

[heydockyle]

Its horrible. On the 1gn I just take the header off. Can change one in like 30 mins.

My sxt took me like two hours.

The next time I have my turbo manifold and shit off it's getting changed on mine just so it'll be easier. Probably this winter actually as I have to put an egt sensor in.

[Danteneon]

I do feel your pain sir. Good read

[occasional demons]

Could be why my OP sensor is mounted on my battery tray.

Braided 3an works beautifully.

[Fuzzyneon]

I'd say your arms and hands a little smaller than mine Juan lol. Just a pita to me, and the first time I'd ever taken the hard pipe off the turbo.

i thought you had a kid for a reason lower his ass back in there LOL

[INVUJerry]

Could be why my OP sensor is mounted on my battery tray.

Braided 3an works beautifully.

Man, I wish I had thought of that.

I'd say your arms and hands a little smaller than mine Juan lol. Just a pita to me, and the first time I'd ever taken the hard pipe off the turbo.

i thought you had a kid for a reason lower his ass back in there LOL

He was def trying to help me, but dropping a 15mm wrench on my sack didn't help me too much.

Its horrible. On the 1gn I just take the header off. Can change one in like 30 mins.

My sxt took me like two hours.

The next time I have my turbo manifold and shit off it's getting changed on mine just so it'll be easier. Probably this winter actually as I have to put an egt sensor in.

In my Nyg with the short tube header I changed it in like 20 mins, didn't even have to take off the header.

[Fuzzyneon]

I'd say your arms and hands a little smaller than mine Juan lol. Just a pita to me, and the first time I'd ever taken the hard pipe off the turbo.

i thought you had a kid for a reason lower his ass back in there LOL

He was def trying to help me, but dropping a 15mm wrench on my sack didn't help me too much.

hes like NO MORE BROTHERS AND SISTERS

[ZeroChad]

Ugh. I remember putting in my autometer sending unit there....that was no fun. I ended up destroying the stock sender. I originally was trying to keep both of them and just install a Tee back there.

[occasional demons]

Unfortunately, NGC wants to see a signal from the sender.

After messing around back there to use a tee, I said screw it, and made a manifold from a block of aluminum, and mounted it to the back of the battery tray. The sender wire is long enough to reach without mods.

After a failed HD plastic line, then copper tubing, I went with 1/8 pipe to 3an fittings (one 90º one 180º) and a 20" length of pre made braided brake line. I think I have about $28 in it from Summit. But then I can get it local, so I don't get boned an extra $10. The guy even tried to get me to have it shipped. (So I wouldn't waste gas getting there) It is a 15 minute drive.

The problem I ran into with the plastic and copper line is where it connected to the block, it cracked from vibration/movement. Even looping it didn't help. Lucky for me both times, it was not a catastrophic failure, and happened close to home.

Edit: A 3/8 to 1/8 reducer bushing is needed at the block galley port.