Monday December 12, 2011
No matter what is going to be done legally I have to get the truck in a running condition. I have to be able to move it to at least get it on a trailer. It has to start and run correctly.
So with that in mind I started doing some research as to why it would lug, not run properly or stay running without patting the gas........
After talking with Street and Performance techincal staff ( Maker of the fuel injection and computer system) I soon realized that everything has to be correct for it to properly function....If the settings, air floe, voltage, fuel pressure etc... are not correct it simply will not run right. I am supposed to be able to hit the ignition switch and it crank and run until it runs out of gas. This is not the case.
So Matt the Mechanic comes over and we start trying to diagnose what could be wrong. We changed the blown header gaskets, this is a PITA on these headers. Wished they were more like the Camaro but oh well we finally get it done. We adjusted the timing, checked fuel pressure, made sure plus wires were attached and hooked up the scanner.............Guess what it cranked. The motor was cold and it cranked right up.
It ran smoothly for about 45 seconds
. We tried it several times and the result was the same, it died after about 45 seconds......
So we start checking other items and made a call to Street and Performance. Actually the guy gave us his cell number in case we had any problems....So Matt called him.
He walked us through the entire process of installing this unit and what was required and it became quite evident of what the problem is and was. The truck engine does not have a proper ground.
It was a really simple test. Stick a multi-meter to the negative battery cable and get a reading, then crank the vehicle and check the reading....It should stay the same....Of course it didn't stay the same.
So what was happening is that the alternator produces 14 volts...the required amount to run the computer properly, because of the incorrect ground the body was taking 7 volts thus the comuter did not have a proper amount of volts to operate correctly. Matt is going to remake a proper ground cable. Hopefully this rectifies the engine problems.
The Tech Rep did say that it might just revealed another issues but it is a start. The rep also stated that he was committed to helping us get this thing running properly and at optimum performance......Kinda impressed with Street and Performance, ironically the guys name is Mark.
We also adjusted the suspension so the truck is sitting level, hoping to eliminate the vibration issues, put the proper amount of air in the tires and noticed the camber was really off on the front, real bad......the inside of the passenger tire didn't even ahve any dust on it...basically it was not contacting the pavement.
I did talk with a Sheriffs Detective and explained what was going on with the whole situation and I also consulted my attorney. They both suggested that I identify the obvious things and submit a letter, email, text or some other form of written communication to him for payment...If he refuses then we go forward, the option of him getting the vehicle back is not an option. He was paid to perform a job and he did not do it.
So I sat down and decided what I could live with and basically I came up with about three or four things.
1. He pay to have the entire truck re-painted.
2. He refund my money for parts and services I paid for that he did not use, return or have performed.
3. He either buy me a NEW transmission, torque convertor and pay for the install OR Pay a transmission shop of my choice to build me a transmission.
4. He pay the 2500.00 I have spent in labor making the truck roadworthy up to this point.
I feel this is fair, real fair to him and in an effort to resolve this whole situation this is what I propose. If he accepts I will absolve him of any further responsibility. If he does not I will move forward with both the criminal and civil legal actions........