Hey everyone. I just got a 94 850 turbo from my grandmother. She cant drive anymore and I needed a family car (my 85 celica wasn't doing the job anymore). Still getting used to having to let the turbo warm up and cool off. since I know the one in there is new and my grandmother went through 2 of them not doing so. while it's in amazing shape for it's age. It does have a few small issues that you guys might be able to help me with.

The car doesn't want to start in park at times, and I'll have to hit the shift interlock button to switch it into neutral to start it. I'm guessing that these issues are related and are either the neutral safety switch or the brake switch because sometimes if I release the brake pedal and then hold it down again both problems go away.

The Radio seem to have an internal or wiring issue. it cuts out with the cars movement or fades off to the back without warning. it does this so often it's not worth having the thing on. And since the old one was stolen I need to locate a new cartridge for the disc changer.

The boost gauge needle seems to be off alignment because while it works, the needle is all the way left and down past the bar (points to about 7 O'clock instead of up)

My drivers side front window has come detached from the track. but the motor works so i should be an easy fix there.

The front center armrest looks like it should open. there's an indent where it looks like there should be a button and it wobbles a bit like something made to move. but I don't know how

Oh also is the traction control on or off when the light is on? seems like that would be an indicator that it was off but I'm not sure.

I'm a mechanic by trade but I'm not used to these cars and I now all cars have there idiosyncrasies. So if any of you have dealt with these things. let me know what causes em please.


I know it seems like a lot but they are all small issues on what otherwise is a great car. I drove it from Cali here to vegas and it was a blast. even in economy mode. The paint is still in very good glossy condition, the interior is in great shape, the motor is clean and runs fine, there are no squeaks or rattles (except a very slight one in the steering column when turning the wheel to park in a tight slow turn)

I've always been a japanese car guy (don't take that as ricer please) but this swede has already gotten my attention.

 

1. One of 3 things might be wrong. Saying as how you have to use the shiftlock we will start there. That could be 2 things. The electrical part of the ignition switch might be bad, easiest way to test is after you start the car do you ever get an ABS light when you cannot shift out of park? If so turn the key back a hair and see if all starts working. Also the headlights will not work when the rest happens if it is the ignition switch. But with the shifter acting up it could also be a bad Micro switch on the shifter assembly.
But again for the now start that could be a bad PNP switch.

2. The radio I would find a good used one or go aftermarket.

3. You might want to install and aftermarket guage just so you can keep an eye on the boost. Factory are not very accurate. You can try to fix that later if you have to pull it apart to fix the bulbs or anything like that.

4. The center will not open at all? If you need I can take pics of mine opened.

5. I think tracs is on when the light is on and when it is off the tracs is off.(I never use mine on my 95 850)

 

+1. Also, Tech is correct on the TRACS light, I just checked it on our 850

 

I found out about the micro switch after i posted, that part is easy.

I also found out why my odometer isn't working and am going to buy a replacement gear for it asap.

With the radio i guess i my have to go after market since I know the stock one will likely be pricey. How it's cutting in and out I may just pop it open to check things out. with how it comes in and out with movement i expect a loose connector or soldering coming loose. No biggie there.


hopefully I can fix the boost gauge though. It's a family car and a pillar mounted boost gauge is an invitation for every civic ricer to try to race me. the gauge seems to work fine it just sits low (7 on a clock). I'm guessing it's supposed to be either in the middle of black and white or right before black. (anyone know?)

 

When the car is off the gauge should be right in the middle. When the car is on it should moved in the black zone (vacuum). When you give it gas (depending on how much gas you give it), it should be in the white zone (boost).

I have an A-pillar boost gauges and it blends in to the dash. It is hard to see outside the car evenwhen the lights are on.
Here is mine:

 

Or you can do what I did with my Voltage guage and it would blend in good. I had a spare L/S dash vent and cut it and installed my guage in there. Since there is 2 vents on that site I could stand to loose one.
The stock guage should be at 12 when the car is off.

Here is a pic of my car with all the guages in it.

 

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:"; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Hi everyone, i guess i have the same kind of problem as CorpeNoctem, but with one slight difference.

1. Engine starts with no problem, but, than when i have to move the gear from "P" position, i have to press the shift button - it happens almost every time with some exceptions.

2. One more thing, every time after car is started and when making first few meters, there is sound of iron scratch coming from the front wheels (i guess from the left – maybe somewhere on the first or second speed) - it only happens after when engine is started – it does not repeat even I stop the car, but do not turn off the engine. Thanks in advance P.S. I have 1995, 2.3 turbo estate, US version, imported from Japan, millage - 52 000

 

1. When it won't come out of park is the ABS light on and the headlights won't work?

2. I would have the brakes inspected.

P.S. You might want to make a new post for your self this way it might get more views.

 

thanks tech

 

The ABS light is off and headlights work

 

OK then the shiftlock micro switch is most likely bad.

 

You can easily repair the boost gauge while you have the instrument cluster out to repair the odometer. Many of the writeups that are floating around for the odometer gear repair were done on an N/A car. Be sure to remove the nut on the brass nipple behind the boost gauge before trying to take the cluster apart.

The stock AM/FM/Cassette radios are dirt cheap on eBay, even the SC-816 with the CD player usually goes for under $150.00.


...Lee