Oh my goodness, did I say that I disliked these cars?
I actually think that they are rather nice to look at. I also think that I
could figure out how to keep one running, but I already dedicated those skills
to a 1980 "blankety-blank" that I have been driving nearly every day for the
last 18 years. That car taught me how to second guess the computer, get the car
home when no one else could make it run, and oh yes, I think that I already
mentioned my Triple A membership with the extra towing.
After 356,000 miles, two new control modules, three electronic feedback carbs,
and a distributor I am sold on how good cars that are made that way "can" run.
The trouble is most people don't spend all of their free time reading wiring
diagrams, and studying service manuals like I did. When the cars are old, they
are not worth what it costs to repair them, unless, like I said before, the
person loves the car and/or can do it themselves.
I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy a car that they can't work on, unless they
have the money to pay someone else to fix it. Early '80s Imperials were
notoriously unreliable. I think it is very nice that now there are some people
who are able to keep them running. Interestingly, when they were fairly new,
most shops couldn't and neither could the dealerships.
My comment about the "love factor" stands. Without it, none of us would be
putting any of these cars back on the road. If the man loves his 1983 Imperial,
then I think that he should and probably will do what it takes to fix it and
keep it running. If he doesn't, I still think he should sell it.
Paul
In a message dated 6/5/2004 5:53:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, DavisADM writes:
> Paul, it is too bad that you have such a dislike for the 81-83 Imperials. It
>is each of our own rights to have an opinion. Sounds like you had a bad
>experience with these cars. I personally think they are the best looking and
>most appealing of the Imperials. Sure, your 68 is simple and reliable, but
>with proper care, maintenance, and not neccessarily a ton of money, the 81-83
>can also be the same. People who are into older cars, usually are somewhat
>mechanically inclined, since keeping up an older car most likely requires some
>regular tinkering.
>
> Davis
> 81 Imperial, white, sunroof, red leather interior, original CB radio
> 82 Imperial, Glacier Blue, dark blue leather interior, EFI
> 82 Imperial FS, Light blue Kimberly cloth interior
> 83 Imperial, white, red leather interior, original owner, xlnt original
>condition, daily driver
>
>
> In a message dated 06/05/2004 2:16:29 PM, RandalPark@xxxxxxx writes:
>
>
>
> Well, you may be right, and of course we are each entitled to our opinions.
>If "the basics" would be a good place to start, it would be better to start
>with a basic car. That word does not describe these particular automobiles.
>
> Trouble shooting that car is going to cost a ton of money, and a firm
>commitment of love on the part of the owner. If the love isn't there, I still
>say sell the car. The owner already knows if "love" is in the equation. The
>rest is easy.
>
> Paul
>
> In a message dated 6/5/2004 2:07:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>nt014b6628@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> >
> >
> > Whoa,
> >
> > I think that maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves here, two of the
> > recommendations include selling the car or ripping the EFI system off and
> > putting a carb set-up on, i personally think this is a bit extreme when the
> > basics have not been checked first.
> >
> > Joel says that the car came from William who i recall had some problems with
> > his car, i do not know who did the repairs for William but lets not assume
> > that
> > what was done is 100%, and that the only answer is to get a sledgehammer to
> > crush
> > this poor starting nut.
> >
> > I think it would be fair for Joel's 83 (and his sanity) if we cover the
> > basics first, there
> > are many an IML member who enjoy their EFI powered cars, (myself and Dick
> > Benjamin included) the rip it off and start again approach can have more
> > pitfalls than there is keeping an EFI powered car running.
> >
> > Neil 82 Imperial London, England.
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "michael popp" <popp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 3:59 AM
> > Subject: Re: IML: 1983 Chrysler Imperial: starting problems
> >
> >
> > > Joel---Don't panic---Your 83 is a beauty to behold ---Find a 80 Cry
> > cordoba
> > > without lean-burn --preferably a 4 barrel and put that set-up on your 83
> > > Imperial ---it will run better than ever -start every time and make you
> > > smile----I did that to my 86 Ply first and am in process of doing my 82
> > > Imperial F S Ed---Feel free to contact me off-list at
> > > mailto:popp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Mike
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: <RandalPark@xxxxxxx>
> > > To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 7:05 PM
> > > Subject: Re: IML: 1983 Chrysler Imperial: starting problems
> > >
> > >
> > > > This was a frequent problem with early '80s, first generation
> > computerized
> > > cars. In most, the ignition and the fuel system are both computer
> > > controlled. There are a guzillion reasons why these cars either stop
> > running
> > > or won't start. In many cases, the trouble is intermittent and difficult
> > to
> > > find. Many Auto Electric shops in the good old USA became very wealthy
> > > during the time that these cars were on the road. The sad part is, most of
> > > them never really ever figured out what was wrong with the cars.
> > Eventually
> > > their owners became annoyed and sold them.
> > > > I hate to be so general here, but I know from experience that this was
> > > universally true among the big three and most likely others too. My newest
> > > Chrysler Product has always been my '68 Imperial. I have '80s offerings
> > from
> > > each of the other major manufacturers, and have had occasional problems
> > with
> > > both, although the G.M built cars have been much more reliable than the
> > ones
> > > from Ford. I still run both of them on a daily basis.
> > > > When those Imperials were new, many people had exactly that kind of
> > > trouble with them. The cars will run perfectly, and for no apparent
> > reason,
> > > quit on the road or refuse to start. Over the years I have found that the
> > > folks that were the most successful keeping those cars on the road were
> > the
> > > ones who "loved them no matter what".
> > > > I have also found that reading the wiring diagrams and understanding
> > where
> > > relays and sensors (both vacuum and electronic) are, and understanding
> > what
> > > they do helps a lot. Relays with dirty contacts can cause an intermittent
> > > problem for years before they actually quit working all together. This is
> > > also true of sensors.
> > > > In summary, I would say that there probably is not one thing that anyone
> > > here can tell you that will solve your problem. If you love the car, you
> > > will become very accustomed to knowing under what condition your car does
> > > certain things. Eventually you will be able to make sense out of that
> > > information, along with the things that you read and study to make a good
> > > stab at finding the faulty part or parts. The other option would be to pay
> > > someone else to do that, but I offer this: back during the time that those
> > > cars were on the road there were few, if any mechanics that could trouble
> > > shoot them. Most people just got taken to the cleaners, and still couldn't
> > > depend on their cars to run when they were suppose to.
> > > > If you don't want to go through this process, I would suggest selling
> > the
> > > car, or becoming a member of AAA Plus. If you can, buy extra towing.
> > > > Paul
> > > > In a message dated 6/4/2004 1:40:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> > > joelrsmith@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
> > > > > Hi Guys,> > I have a 1983 Chrysler Imperial that I purchased about a
> > > month ago. It's in pretty decent condition, but does have some rust in the
> > > rear left & right quarter panel & the bottom of the deck lid. It has
> > 130,000
> > > Miles on it (but there is an asterix beside where it says that, don't know
> > > what that means) and gets from 15 - 20 US MPG on a tank.> > Right from the
> > > beginning, whenever I would start it, it would crank over a bit more than
> > > what I would expect a "normal" car to do, although I did hear from a
> > certain
> > > mechanic that due to it's older computer, that could be normal. It always
> > > drives & idles nice though. Anyways, here's what happened: I drove my car
> > to
> > > work friday morning (7:30 am), and it did it's usual "longer than normal"
> > > start, all was good. It sat all day at work in about say 20 C (68 F)
> > > temperature. I finished work around 5:00 pm and went to start my car. The
> > > first try I held the key in the "start" position for about 6 - 8 seconds,
> > it
> > > just cranked, didn't fire once. This was kind of surprising, as it had
> > never
> > > done this before. So I tried it again, nothing. After that, i tried
> > pumping
> > > the gas pedal (I usually NEVER touch the gas pedal at all before or during
> > > starting) while I was cranking it, it actually fired one or two times but
> > > didn't start. Next, I pulled off the air cleaner cover, & I could smell
> > > as( but it didn't appear flooded), so I left the cover off for a minute or
> > > two, then put it back on and tried again. Nothing. > > So after that I
> > went
> > > back inside to where I work & called AMA to send over a tow truck. Next
> > > about 30 mins had passed since I had last tried starting the car) I went
> > > outside again to see if I could start the car. I put the key in and
> > cranked
> > > it...it didn't fire for a sec or two, but then caught a few times &
> > started.
> > > For the first few seconds it ran rough, like it had too much / too little
> > > fuel, but after that it smoothed out and idled like it has always had
> > before
> > > (it idles nice btw). So now i'm a little scared about something like this
> > > happening again (i've been driving it for about 4 days since then and it's
> > > always started). Now would any of you guys have any idea what the problem
> > > could be and what I can do to fix it? I'm also interested in why it seems
> > to
> > > need a few excessive cranks to start. > > Oh, and you can check out
> > pictures
> > > of my car here: > http://www3.telus.net/agentsmith> > Thanks in advance.>
> > >
> > > Joel Smith> Edmonton, Alberta.> > > > > Join Excite! -
> > > http://www.excite.com> The most personalized portal on
> the Web!
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