Project Junkyard Dog: 03 Astro Build Thread

[90safari]

Nice job on the fix. That "phantom wipe" has always been a ghost in the machine in my van (especially on start up it does it). I knew what caused it, just never bothered me in it. My S-10 suffered from it too. On it I replaced the wiper motor since it completely stopped working. I did pick up a Dorman board, and tossed it behind the seat for when it "acted up" again).

[1lowcab]

Thanks man, mine always annoyed me the way it randomly changed the delay. It's supposed to be raining/snowing tomorrow so it'll get a good workout.


On a side note, I got my AC parts ordered and they are shipped, should be here by the weekend. But its only going to be in the high 30's for awhile so I won't know if I fixed it or not, lol!

[Rinny]

And here I was thinking my motor was acting up because the second computer was bleeding data into it. And all the time it is the board. I will grab one out of my parts van and switch it out to see if it makes a difference.

[scorean]

..its only going to be in the high 30's for awhile so...

Man, I'm so over winter! Thanks for building up those expectations and then the letdown, global warming. Haha

[WimpTech]

Whoa, Phantom Wipe lives in the engine bay not the switch??!!! HOLY CRAP that's easy! thanks Cabbie, gonna try on mine tonight! VERY VERY tired of the phantom wipe and no washers!

[90safari]

And here I was thinking my motor was acting up because the second computer was bleeding data into it. And all the time it is the board. I will grab one out of my parts van and switch it out to see if it makes a difference.

Yeah, this has been a common problem ever since GM changed the wiper motor design in the early-mid 80's. They took something that was 100% bulletproof (you could drop it off a 5 story building and it would still work), and changed it to what we have now. A friend of mine has replaced 3 boards in his 91 one owner GMC full size pick up. The first board went 4 years (right after he paid it off). My wife's Safari would "phantom wipe" once in a while on start up too. My S-10 did it too, but only when in "on" mode, as it would decide on it's own NOT to wipe. Talk about being a PIA, it not working when you actually needed it sucked.

[90safari]

Thanks man, mine always annoyed me the way it randomly changed the delay. It's supposed to be raining/snowing tomorrow so it'll get a good workout.


On a side note, I got my AC parts ordered and they are shipped, should be here by the weekend. But its only going to be in the high 30's for awhile so I won't know if I fixed it or not, lol!

Cover the entire front end with cardboard to help get the heat up on the freon, then you have a chance of getting a good charge in it. It'll still feel cold inside, but maybe just a little colder than when you started. Or, wait until this weekend, as it's supposed to warm up a little.

[1lowcab]

Well, I drove it in the rain/snow today and no random delay changes so fingers crossed that fixed it.

wait until this weekend, as it's supposed to warm up a little.

Fingers crossed on that too!

[1lowcab]

On a side note I did get me one of these...FINALLY!

S-10 relay bracket

Now I can finally mount my Volvo relay set correctly and get all my relays in one location.

I cheated getting the bracket tho, I got it off ebay
I just haven't had the time lately to go to any yards, that and its been too damn cold. Oh well, $12 free shipping, not too bad to have one delivered to my door.

[WimpTech]

On a side note I did get me one of these...FINALLY!

S-10 relay bracket

Ohhh Volvo efan setup, would love to see that all buttoned up. I went the lazy route with a Hayden 30A setup.

[1lowcab]

Nothing at all wrong with the Hayden setup they are a great way to go, Almost went that way myself.
The only reason I did the Volvo relay is I got it DIRT cheap...and I'm one cheap SOB, lol!

[WinnieVan]

Ya. I think all in with my fan controller + relays... I’m in like $70 bucks.. this including the fuse box via Amazon. Another $25 for the inline temp sensor. Probably another $10-15 in supplies.. but I already had all of that on hand.

So it is still probably cheaper with the Hayden unit, but I'd like to think the Volvo unit is a good bang for the buck too.

I do like that the Volvo controller is designed to work with my fan. Makes me feel pretty happy about it.

[WinnieVan]

On a side note I did get me one of these...FINALLY!

S-10 relay bracket

IMG_20180417_185746274.jpg

Now I can finally mount my Volvo relay set correctly and get all my relays in one location.

I cheated getting the bracket tho, I got it off ebay
I just haven't had the time lately to go to any yards, that and its been too damn cold. Oh well, $12 free shipping, not too bad to have one delivered to my door.

MAN! No wonder I can't find these at the JY! At $12 a pop, I'm not surprised they are all gone!

I'll start harvesting these every time I can find them... might begin financing my AstroAddiction.

[1lowcab]

Same with the Volvo relays, they sell those on ebay anywhere from 35 to 50 a piece.
Don't even look at the Lincoln mk VIII fans on ebay!

When its 27 degrees out with a windchill of 19 it sucks all the fun out of being in a junkyard, lol!

[Mmusicman]

Wow.. just catching up on this thread.
That double-din installation is FANTASTIC!!!
Along with EVERYTHING else!
Nice job!

[1lowcab]

Thanks!!

Well, the multi-function switch finally gave up the ghost. I was coming home, the sun had set, went to hit the highbeams and they wouldn't stay on. It would just go "click", the highs would flash and go right off...glad I had the light bar on the front, used it all the way home!!

Started tearing into the the switch today. I have a used multi-function switch I got off ebay a LONG time ago but never tried it, turns out its no good. The flasher switch is broke, the mist function won't return when twisted and the left/right function feels like its full of sand...lesson learned, DON'T get a used one!

Anyway, I was afraid that the steering wheel had to come off the remove the switch, long story short it doesn't.

If you turn the wheel like this you can get to the lower torx screw. there are only 2 screws holding the switch in place.

Here are a few more pics of the carnage, lol!

I opened the switch up for craps and giggles, tiny pieces of plastic came falling out...well theres my problem!

Off to order a new switch....yay!

[1lowcab]

Parts came in! woo-hoo!

All my AC parts and my brand new multi-function switch

I got the switch online from Autozone (Duralast), I had a big discount code and they had FREE next day delivery!
$130 total, it feels and looks JUST like the original, way better quality then I though it would be.
There was no way I was paying 300-400 for an ACDelco piece.

Off to the garage to get that sucker installed.

[WinnieVan]

Woop!

[1lowcab]

And done. Works great, feels SOOO much better then the old one, lol!

[WinnieVan]

Your van is going to be 100% new parts soon!