'83 AMC Eagle SX4

[Eagle_SX4]

Found the issue with the rough running. I have 3 dead fuel injectors. The solenoids don't work even when voltage is applied directly to them.

[Eagle_SX4]

I picked up more fuel injectors from the junkyard and now it runs great. Just need to get the computer mounted, wrap the wire harness and make some mounting clips for the new fuel lines and it will be road worthy.

[Pete M]

On 6/10/2023 at 6:52 PM, Eagle_SX4 said:

Found the issue with the rough running. I have 3 dead fuel injectors.

 

 

Its amazing it ran at all! 

[Eagle_SX4]

Yeah I thought I would have more problems to chase than the dead computer(not sure it's dead might just have a security system on it) and dead injectors. Still need to figure out why it runs for about 45 seconds when when I turn the key off. I think it is just a problem with the ignition switch not being adjusted properly.

[Eagle_SX4]

Quick update found out why it kept running after I turned off the key. I plugged into the fuse box where it said ignition just to make things easier. Turns out I was going through the fuse that controls the dash warning lights and seat belt buzzer/warning light. I think that having the ECU on that circuit is causing the seat belt buzzer control box to misbehave and keep power to the ECU after I turn the key off. The voltage eventually bleeds off after about 45 seconds then the engine shuts off. So I need to find a different ignition source for the ECU to tie into.

 

I have nearly all the unused wires out of the Cherokee harness almost ready to bundle it back together and wrap it up. Right now it looks like a mess.

 

My suggestion to anyone trying to do something similar is to find an uncut wire harness. The harness I got didn't have any of the fuel injector plugs on it. It was cut off at the firewall. But it was more intact than the one that the P.O. included with the car. So I managed to comine the 2 harnesses to make 1 good one. It would have made this whole process a lot easier. 

[Eagle_SX4]

Got the wiring cleaned up and the harness is bundled together.

I need to get some split loom to cover it up after I wrap it in some bundling tape.

 

I thought my Comanche ran good but this engine idles smoother and revs better. Also I found out tonight that I need to change my water pump because the shaft is wobbling. Still a few more thing to button up before it's road worthy but I should finish those things tomorrow or Saturday.  The end is in sight. (For now until I think of something else to do to it)

[Eagle_SX4]

I forgot to mention I found the build sheet for my car while putting the fuel pump wires in.

Not much is legible it was under the insulation in the trunk tapped to the floor. I can read the VIN and the gear ratio. 

 

I pulled the wire plug and harness out of a Cherokee and put it in the same hole as the factory sending unit wire just had the drill the hole a little bigger.

[Eagle_SX4]

I got it all buttoned up on Saturday afternoon. I have put about 100 miles on it and everything is working as it should.

[Pete M]

[Eagle_SX4]

Well today it is back up and running after the fuel pump died. I also put the 4 hole injectors in and added some new badges one on each side.

After I put the badge on I realized that the Eagle badge had been put on crooked and has been that way for the last 40 years.

[Pete M]

that's AMC quality for ya.  

[Eagle_SX4]

Did something today I never thought I would be able to do. I polished my car and it came out excellent!!

Now I just need to wax it.

Before and after. Half polished and half not

 

[Pete M]

spotted some vintage mudflaps and thought of your car.  

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235170115210

[Eagle_SX4]

I actually have a set of original Eagle ones but due to the rear tire location in the wheel wells I can't put them on. There isn't enough room they would constantly be rubbing

[Eagle_SX4]

Getting the Eagle ready for winter. Got the studded snow tires put on today and new front rotors and pads. Turns out the brakes are the same on the Comanches and Eagles. Haven't done much else I did put a small amp in hoping to double the output of the radio but so far I don't think it is any better. I still need to figure out how to tune it properly.

[89 MJ]

I cannot imagine these cars on studded tires. My wagon was unstoppable on all terrains

[eaglescout526]

54 minutes ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Turns out the brakes are the same on the Comanches and Eagles.

Thats AMC cutting costs right there.

[89 MJ]

3 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Thats AMC cutting costs right there.

And cutting costs in a fairly smart way. I wish more manufacturers would do this. It’s gotta save so much time in engineering and development

[eaglescout526]

20 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

And cutting costs in a fairly smart way. I wish more manufacturers would do this. It’s gotta save so much time in engineering and development

GM probably still does this with the truck and SUV line. Ford probably does as well. Chrysler miiiiiight. 

[Eagle_SX4]

Now on to the floors. Started yesterday by taking out the carpet and cutting out the rust holes.

I have the bigger hole fully welded back in and have the smaller hole patch made and will weld it in shortly. 

[Eagle_SX4]

Don't put carpet in your car when it is below freezing. Totally messed it up and now I need to get another carpet kit. After I bolted the seats in the carpet was 4 inches above the transmission tunnel. I ended up splitting the carpet front to back to get it to sit down on the tunnel. I also cut the passenger side door jam to much and now the carpet doesn't go under the trim panel.

[jdog]

13 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Don't put carpet in your car when it is below freezing. Totally messed it up and now I need to get another carpet kit. After I bolted the seats in the carpet was 4 inches above the transmission tunnel. I ended up splitting the carpet front to back to get it to sit down on the tunnel. I also cut the passenger side door jam to much and now the carpet doesn't go under the trim panel.

Blow drier even when it is warm, you want that carpet as hot as you can without melting it, the sun on a hot day works great.

[Eagle_SX4]

 

13 minutes ago, jdog said:

Blow drier even when it is warm, you want that carpet as hot as you can without melting it, the sun on a hot day works great.

Thanks for the tips. I am definitely going to wait till summer to try again with the carpet.

[Eagle_SX4]

I have been trying to figure out why my car would shut off with the key. I separated all the wires going to the battery and removed them one by one and swing if the problem would fix itself. The only wire that fixed the issue once removed was the alternator wire. I also noticed that even after key was off there was still 3 volts on the ignition circuit keeping the computer powered on. While running the battery voltage was always at 14 volts so I never thought the alternator could be the problem.

 

I finally went and had the alternator tested and it failed on the charging circuit. Luckily I had a lifetime warranty on the alternator and I swapped it out in the parking lot and now the engine turns off with the key.

 

[Pete M]

Weird!