Page 1 of 2

1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:12 am
by prowlerjc
Car's been sitting for four years. For the first 18 months, I cranked it over and let it run for a half hour to keep everything lubed, but the battery went south and...

Last January, i got a new battery, but the dang thing would turn over and not fire up. Got disgusted and let it sit.

So, now I'd like to get it fixed back up and driveable as a backup car or for sale.

Things I know need fixing:

1) No start...is this likely a clogged fuel filter? Fuels been sitting for a while.
2) AC needs recharging...this I can do.
3) Hood release cale broke at the inside handle and needs to be replaced
4) Right rear brakelight won't work. twice, alternator replacement fixed this, a big wth, but who knows?

Any advice, comments, thoughts about price to fix? I'm not extremely handy, and this is outside, no garage.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:09 am
by Money pit Beretta
Turn the key on and let the pump run until it's stops. Then try to start it.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:12 am
by prowlerjc
What does that do?

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:11 pm
by themadness
an idea for the hood cable. fishing wire. its not fishing line but actual wire that comes in different gauges. pull the broken one out, fish the other through. its less than 5 bucks at most stores that carry fishing equipment. takes about 5 minutes to do. bike brake cable also works.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:34 pm
by Money pit Beretta
It's a check.
1. to see if you can hear the pump
2. to make sure you have full pressure

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:00 pm
by 3X00-Modified
themadness wrote:an idea for the hood cable. fishing wire. its not fishing line but actual wire that comes in different gauges. pull the broken one out, fish the other through. its less than 5 bucks at most stores that carry fishing equipment. takes about 5 minutes to do. bike brake cable also works.
Or you could just buy a new cable....

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... FUQ8wIwAA#

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:07 pm
by themadness
you have to pull those through the firewall though right? the rubber tubing that goes around the wire looked like it would be a pain to pull.

just replacing the wire was alot easier and faster for me. or he could just lay down and unlatch it from the bottom :good:

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:40 pm
by Money pit Beretta
I did it on a Grand Am. Yes you have to pull it through. I unhooked it (up front and on the inside)then pushed the seal inside. Watch out the metal on the firewall is not rounded and can cut the cover on the cable.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:37 pm
by prowlerjc
Money pit Beretta wrote:It's a check.
1. to see if you can hear the pump
2. to make sure you have full pressure
Gotcha...I believe I remember the pump whirring, but not sue about the pressure. Might have to get some starter fluid and see if I can get it running that way. If not, i know I have spark issues. Need to get the battery charged because I don't want to be jumping it off another vehicle with starter fluid fumes around.

Regarding the fish line, the plastic release latch inside broke and the cable disappeared intot he bowels of the car. Whole thing has to be replaced and it looks like a PITA.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:04 pm
by prowlerjc
Oh, what is the best glue to use to attach the upper and lower ribbed rubber parts around the driver's window. The sun beat that stuff to death. Prolly need a dash pad, too.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:23 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Damn it I'll try this again. Freaking APC battery is going bad.

Did you leave the key on until the pump comes to a stop and then try to start?
You could try to put your foot on the gas a little. If it starts and then dies after you take your foot off the gas then the idle air control valve may be stuck.
There is a Lisle spark indicator for sale at some auto parts stores and all you have to do is set it on the plug wire(part number 19380). That would save alot of time.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:04 pm
by prowlerjc
Ummm...I don't think I left it on until the pump stopped. I'll try that.

Thanks for the heads up on the spark indicator.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:39 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Your welcome.
Don't forget to try the other thing I said in my last post.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:58 pm
by ifixalot
I doubt 4 year old gas is any good anymore. I've heard 2 years is about the limit for storing gas.
I think some things evaporate out. I'd try a little fresh fuel down the throttle body and if she fires, If you don't have much in the tank,you're going to have to add some fresh fuel and maybe bleed the fuel line to get the mix to the engine.

Re: 1995 Beretta base resurrection

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:19 pm
by berettaboi
the above is the way to go... depending how much is in the tanks and how lucky you think you are about not having a rusty condensated mess in the tank, through in octane booster and fresh gas, and possibly a fuel filter