was given an EA81 gl wagon to use for a while and need to troubleshoot a few things.

 

1. turn signals sometimes work, sometimes not..do i need to pull the steering wheel, etc and get into the switch?

 

2. rhythmic squeaking noise coming from the dash area. only happens when the car is at speed, not idling or off w/ key on.

 

3. heater doesn't blow warm. fan blows on all levels, but temp control does not change temp of air. Where do i start? fuse? what kind of heater was stock on this? is there a diagram of the heater assembly?

 

I'm thinking speedo cable on the last one?

 

thanks for any insight.

 

Brian in san diego.

Edited January 11, 200917 yr by kodiak1232003

was given an EA81 gl wagon to use for a while and need to troubleshoot a few things.

 

1. turn signals sometimes work, sometimes not..do i need to pull the steering wheel, etc and get into the switch?

 

2. rhythmic squeaking noise coming from the dash area. only happens when the car is at speed, not idling or off w/ key on.

 

3. heater doesn't blow warm. fan blows on all levels, but temp control does not change temp of air. Where do i start? fuse? what kind of heater was stock on this? is there a diagram of the heater assembly?

 

I'm thinking speedo cable on the last one?

 

thanks for any insight.

 

Brian in san diego.

 

Yeah, sounds like you need to look at the turn signal switch (does not require pulling the steering wheel to look at it, only to change it) -- could just be a loose wire on it (my first '82 wagon had that -- soldered it back on it worked till I got rid of it). It could also be the actual flasher unit, but those tend to fail or not, I think.

 

Does the squeaking from the dash continue if you put it in nuetral and turn the engine off while at speed?

 

It sounds like the cable that goes to the temperature door is not working -- somewhere in the heating system, that lever actually moves a door or valve (can't remember which on this one), but it's purely mechanical.

 

Also... heat core could be clogged, so it's not producing any heat to begin with....

was given an EA81 gl wagon to use for a while and need to troubleshoot a few things.

 

1. turn signals sometimes work, sometimes not..do i need to pull the steering wheel, etc and get into the switch?

 

What do they do when they aren't working? On constantly or nothing at all? It's likely to be a bad flasher module as the switches don't often fail.

 

2. rhythmic squeaking noise coming from the dash area. only happens when the car is at speed, not idling or off w/ key on.

 

Probably a failing speedometer cable or speedometer head.

 

3. heater doesn't blow warm. fan blows on all levels, but temp control does not change temp of air. Where do i start? fuse? what kind of heater was stock on this? is there a diagram of the heater assembly?

 

It's very likely that your heater core is clogged. You can try flushing it but that rarely works. There could also be a problem as previously stated with the mechanical control - there's a heater control valve that operates by a cable and rod system - it controls the flow of coolant (or not) through the core. The valve is located on the drivers side of the core down by your feet - follow the heater core hoses into the cabin - they attach directly to this valve assembly. Check to see that the valve is operating when you turn the knob.

 

GD

great, thanks to both of you. I'll check your suggestions and post up.

 

Regards,

Brian

What do they do when they aren't working? On constantly or nothing at all? It's likely to be a bad flasher module as the switches don't often fail.

 

 

GD

 

yeah, they either work well or not at all. when they don't work, no other lights are effected. emergency flashers, running, head lights all work. Even the goofy/groovy passing lamp works.

 

-B

Are the heater hoses connected to the heater, or is it bypassed?

If the emergency flashers work then the flasher module is working. There is only one module. Still could be a wireing issue.

 

Is there any evidence of the windsheild leaking? Often when you have interior wiring issues with the EA series cars it's because of water intrusion from a leaking windsheild seal. Usually in the corners at the bottom.

 

GD

If the emergency flashers work then the flasher module is working. There is only one module. Still could be a wireing issue.

 

Is there any evidence of the windsheild leaking? Often when you have interior wiring issues with the EA series cars it's because of water intrusion from a leaking windsheild seal. Usually in the corners at the bottom.

 

GD

 

great, well if that rules out the flasher module, I'm one step closer. I'm thinking its a worn wire or so-so connection. i'll have to pull the column plastic and see what i find.

 

oh, and no, the winshield seals are great. no evidence of leaking. Took it on a days drive today, running errands, going to birthday parties, etc. Very fun car to drive. Just have to nail down these little problems.