shaved door handles.. who the hell thought up that one?

So.. it finally happened to me. Yesterday morning went out and could here the soliniod trying to work, but nothing.. luckily I was in no hurry.. so hooked up a battery charger up to the alternator and it popped right open.

So I took of the door panels and added in a cable emergency pull. Tested the alternator which is working fine.. 14.3 volt on average. Battery also seemed fine for the most part.

Did the same thing this morning.. so I used the emergency pull cable.. the car started right up. So it is just enough power drain to affect the soliniods. I went to autozone and got a new battery.. we shall see if it does it again tomorrow morning. It only did it after sitting all night. If it does it again, then I have a power drain some where. The battery was 6 years old.. so hopefully that is it.

Looks like if I want door handles.. I will need two new doors as everything is welded up tight where the handles went.

I think Jeff has a pair of doors.....

I don't know that it is the battery Brad. There maybe some ground issues with the solenoids. I would check to insure all the connections are good before going any further. I guarantee the starter has a much higher draw than the solenoids therefore the problem is either with the solenoid itself or the wiring somewhere.

By the way, I have a pair of doors but the left will need some work. All the door mechanisms are there and I believe they have all the glass as well. You are welcome to them.

Sounds good.. I might take you up on the doors...

I think it was the battery... I was with you on the ground.. but.. everything I tried did not help.. as soon as I started the car and ran it for a bit.. the doors worked for a while again. I put a multi meter on the battery and you could watch the voltage drop slowly. So I bought a new one from Autozone today and the doors opened for me 5 plus times before I went home from work.

The real test will be in the morning. If it does it again, I might have a slight power draw somewhere. But the battery was 6 years old.. so????

Hopefully that cured your problem. Good idea with the release cable though.

I would be interested in how you installed the release cable and what you used. I'm not sure what do use at this point. i have tried a motorcycle throttle cable just didn't spend to long getting the angle right, so mine still isn't working.

Our passenger door is shaved but no popper or solenoid. A Pain.

Just for your reference. This is what i ordered back in 2009

Shave Door Handle Kit rat rod gasser project shaved nr

SHAVE IT THE RIGHT WAY! Protocol Performance Products now offers a shaved door handle kit that will work in just about any custom application. Includes 2 heavy duty solenoids, 3 reliable relays and all the hardware and brackets needed to get this system working. The Protocol remote control system operates everything with a push of a button and has the best long range remotes on the market.
Protocol Remote Control System w/2 Long Range Remotes
Works With OEM Latches
Self-Grounding Bracket
Heavy Duty Wire
3 Reliable 40-amp Relays
Heavy Duty Back Up Button
Prompt Solenoid Activation with No Delay
1/16 Pre-Stretched Stainless Steel Cable
Code Rolling Technology
Detailed Instructions

Got it for $112 Shipped

$112 isn't a bad price for all of that. Seems pretty fair.

Well.. looks like it was battery. The door popped open twice for me this morning before I started it up. So.. YEAH!

Nick, I had some braided cable for hanging pictures in the shed.. I got the door panel off and found a solenoid that looked like a door lock solenoid mounted horizontally will some custom rod attached to it and the door latch. I attached the cable to the rod area ran it straight across to the door stop area. I have one piece windows so I have the little cable stops not the stock full metal stops. Ran the cable thru the same hole as that then into the hood area. It is a pretty straight run when the door is closed. Left lots of extra up front so I can wrap the cable around my hand and give it a good yank. I probably will use a little thicker cable down the road.. I am afraid this one will break if used to many times. But it works.

I will try to take pics next time door panel is off. I really want to go to power windows.. so need to find a good deal on those. Wish they did not run 200 bucks.. so we shall see.

I tried the same thing under my hood, i will have to try it again to make it work. i want to do the same thing with power windows. This is what i am thinking about using...

AutoLoc PW5500 Flat Glass Power Window Kit, 2 Door

Not a bad price at $170, pretty sure i can tie it into my remote for the door locks as well.

You can buy a modern car with all of those features. What's the matter with you guys?

Modern cars are so overated.

From the looks of things from other places in the world, we should be focusing on getting our aircooled treasures runnning on grain alcohol...

Now you're talking.

" From the looks of things from other places in the world, we should be focusing on getting our aircooled treasures runnning on grain alcohol..."


LOL

YOU ALL WANNA HEAR SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY INSANE????????

TIM THE OWNER OF FAMILY AUTO (THE OTHER SHOP IN THE BUILDING IM IN) IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ETHONAL STATION PUT IN AT THE SHOP. YES AN ACTUAL FUELING STATION WITH ONLY ETHONAL FOR NOW BUT MAY EXPAND TO BIODIESEL AS WELL.

HES DEALING WITH A GUY THAT ALSO MAKES ETHONAL CONVERSIONS FOR FUEL INJECTED VEHICLES. FROM WHAT IVE OVER HEARD........CARBORATED VEHICLES ARE NOT TO DIFFICULT TO CONVERT EITHER. NOT SURE ON THE DETAILS BUT..................

Smogman72 wrote:

CARBORATED VEHICLES ARE NOT TO DIFFICULT TO CONVERT EITHER. NOT SURE ON THE DETAILS BUT..................

I know you can't have any rubber fuel lines, and the carb will have to be re-worked without rubber gaskets, and some other mods. Not too difficult I hear.

That is insane Cliff. Probably the first of many.

Once again.. who the hell thought these things were a great idea??? My actuator on the driver door went out yesterday and the passenger door one went out today.

So now on the hunt for new actuators. Of course our little local town does not really carry any, so will need to order some up... so bummed!

Online is your best deal prob but your gonna have to wait for it in the mail. wish i could find my old one it prob still works and you could have it, think i threw it away but ill look

In the meantime, leave the vent window unlatched so you can reach in.

One piece windows... no vent. And to much rain to leave it down... no worries, should have it tomorrow.. the passenger door started working again????? so can get in that way

I have some doors.

Well, had enough of the button for the doors... so went to Denio's Auction today and got a security system for 40 bucks.. I wired it up for only the lock actuators.. so now I can open either door with a remote.. works pretty good. Only down fall is that when the ignition is on, the doors "lock" automatically, therefore opening my driver door again.. o well, small price to pay.

That is a cool idea.

I love Denios, there is some cool stuff there. Also some funny things.

I saw a 'Newkita' (not Makita) drill motor once.

Now you need one of those proximity keys and a push button start on the column.

The button doesn't work unless the fob is within range.

Kind of cool...