it died

[evildragon]

In a very sad mood. My Caprice gave me 2 years of funky, but reliable service. Today it died on the way to work, just stalled, and wouldn't start.

Police come fast, help me out, get it off the road, and then get AAA service.

The poor Caprice's electrical wiring burnt up. It was a very hot morning, and the heat of the engine didn't help. The wires were all original 14 year old wiring.

I feel like crap. I neglected to replace the wiring when I should have, and now it's just dead.

So I got it to start, and did the foolish thing to try and get it home, and it died again half way there, except now the wiring is frayed in many places.

It's dead. My poor baby, and I feel like I killed it.

[silicon212]

You didn't kill it, it's just in a coma. Replace its' nerves (the wiring harness) and give it another go.

[bhw33191]

wow, sorry for your loss. you've had really bad luck with that car i've noticed. Probably shoulda got that lincoln continental or whatever. I think you should look for another caprice though unless you still wanna keep your current one going, but it sounds like it might be a lemon sadly.

[evildragon]

Originally Posted by silicon212

You didn't kill it, it's just in a coma. Replace its' nerves (the wiring harness) and give it another go.

That sounds like it's going to be so hard.

If I can keep it cheap, I guess I'll give it another go..

[bhw33191]

well anyway, good luck!

[PeteA216]

You didn't kill it, it's just in a coma. Replace its' nerves (the wiring harness) and give it another go.

I love the metaphors! But my question is what caused this fraying and wire failure? I've owned and town down a few Caprices and a '92 Chevy pickup in my day and never ran into "old" wires in need of replacing. Even my '84 Caprice's wiring is still flexable and seems to still carry a good current (except those slow @ss power windows) But wait a minute, I just thought of something... which electrical wiring are we talking about?

[evildragon]

The one that goes into opti, and goes throughout the wire piping.

[PeteA216]

When repairing the wires, you'll be best off with (in my opinion) soldering and heat shrink tubing.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by PeteA216

When repairing the wires, you'll be best off with (in my opinion) soldering and heat shrink tubing.

in addition to petea216 recommendations when doing repairs on a 12year old vehicle a little planning helps and the wire loom as installed by gm is usually in need of replacement after this age so a couple of rolls of electrical tape tyraps and new wire loom before doing any repairs....is necessary.....you are fortunate that you did not totally burn the vehicle to a pile of mush....

[evildragon]

I ordered some new wiring for OptiCrap.

I swear, the car looks sad sitting in the street alone like that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...edragon/le.jpg

My car doesn't belong there, but sadly that's where the tow truck left it.

[evildragon]

ok.. got the wires replaced..

car started, got me to the library and back in one trip..

but why do i still feel "scared" to drive this thing? in my mind, im almost expecting it to break down again.

[PeteA216]

It's all in your head unless you cut a corner or two somewhere along the line when repairing it (not soldering, using electrical tape as the only fastener as opposed to an insulator, etc.)

[evildragon]

I put it back in the way the old one was, zip tied to the rest of the harness.. the previous mechanic at action gator tire way before i owned the car, royally screwed up the electrical, and damaging the original pigtail.

[evildragon]

Ok, made it to work, but its riding very rough, and very shaky. Going to be going home, I sure hope I make it home!

I'm taking the lincoln tomorrow.