Back in the shop

This time it was optional. I wanted them to fix 3 things that I felt were keeping it from being a reliable winter vehicle:
1-Rear Defroster not working
2-Temp gauge not working
3-center diff lock not working

I drove it once this winter and not having rear defrost was really bad. I don't care what the temp gauge reads, but I want the car to know the correct temp, so it can turn on the fan and water pump for the engine. The center diff lock is a unique feature. I don't think you're supposed to use it unless it's real bad weather on low traction surfaces, or you get stuck. But, since it has it, I want it to work. It may also take some distance to lock the diff?

Strut pt 2

Replaced the other strut tonight. It was hard to get the ball off the hatch, and it wouldn't come off the strut, but I finally got it off. Put the new one on. The hatch now stays open when it's open, BUT still won't open correctly, there's nothing to give it that little push up when the key is turned or the lever is pulled in the car. Different mechanism maybe?

Job finished. Score +0.5 Stays open, but doesn't start opening correctly.

Strut p1

Picked up and installed the new strut for the rear hatch. Both the instructions, and a question from the clerk (just one?), said I should instill these in pairs. But, I ordered only one, as only one was not installed on my hatch. I assumed the other one was ok.
Installed the new strut, but there are two extra clips I couldn't figure out what to do with: they're like C-clips but made or wire and one end turns out 90degrees. No idea. So, I ignored them and installed everything else. New strut plus old strut is better, but still not enough to hold the hatch open. Going to order another $25 strut tomorrow.

The new strut had a new ball for the hatch side of the strut, but didn't have any screws to attach to the body side, and since my second strut was gone, I bought two new bolts and washers from the local ACE hardware. They worked fine, and I installed one new set on each side, with one old set (of the two that were on the original side) on each side.

SO, another strut another install. This one made slightly harder by having a strut already installed on the left side.

Ed

Two more checks; A NEW FEATURE!

Replaced the spark plug wires and aimed the 'new' headlight today. Test drove it tonight and readjusted it a hair down. We'll see if I get reactions from oncoming drivers, or if I did a good job.
There's condensation in the left headlight, so that needs to be replaced too.

Also while I was working on the car today I gave another try at fixing the dome light to turn on when the door was opened. I got it working, but it stopped once I screwed everything back in, so it stays on the list. It does mean it's a problem with the bulb fixture, and not the wiring or door sensors.
I was hot in the car so I decided to take advantage of the sun roof, and cranked it open. To my surprise, the back lifted up as a vent. I know many sunroofs do this, but I thought I had tried this with mine and it didn't. There seems to be a click between the two modes, and I think that's where it should be to be fully closed. It sucks not having a manual for it.

The hood latch still doesn't work, don't know which end the problem is at, maybe both. Found an easy way for me to get it open, my skate key. I just hook it over the cable (in front of the radiator) and pull. Works great, but not very portable. Gonna try a aluminum tent stake that I bent and see how it works.

Strut in later this week, so that's next.

Strut my stuff

Ordered a replacement rear hatch strut from Autozone for $25. Looking at the old one and hatch today, nothing is broken other than the ball stud that screws into the hatch. Hopefully the replacement will come with this ball stud. I'm also missing the two screws that attach it to the body. If the replacement doesn't come with these, I can pull one from the other side and use it as a model to buy two more from Ace.

Hopefully one replacement will work and I won't need to order the second.

turn signal fixed?

As mysteriously as the turn signal problem occurred, an unscrewing of the turn signal assembly causes it to start working again. Kept it blinking as I screwed it back on, and it's keeps working.
Don't know what I did to cause the problem, don't know how I fixed it.

Next: aim headlight and install plug wires. But not today: cool and wet.

New issue, wires and aiming

One thing fixed, another broken. I must have flubbed something on the FR turn signal, as it is no longer working. Easy fix, I hope,

The new right headlight is aimed low, so I'll need to adjust it up.

Thanks to a coupon from Ebay, I purchased a (New, old stock) NGK Spark Plug Wire Set. Again, an easy install underhood.