I Need advise: Repair time

[anman]

Seems to be that I currently have EVERY common problem that the Aurora comes across. Don't mind though, love the car, got it cheap and I have a shop.

I am going to list off the problems, some I know is the problem but would gladly take ANY advice. Others I am in the dark, and again, I'll listen.

Here are the classic problems:

Loud Steering Clunk (now does it ALL the time even in moderate turns in traffic) How hard is it to replace an ISS? Or can I even find one? How much time to I have left?

Non-functional Fuel Gauge It keeps picking if it wants to be chuck full or completely empty. There is no leak GLADLY. I have replaced gas tanks before and they sure are nasty. How much of a job and cost is it to fix?

Hard Shift into Reverse (in a cold morning, SLAM, happens sporadically, now I park so I only can go forward) don’t really care about this one unless it does damage, don't know.

The X problems
(1)
I don't know the nominal coolant temp position but the car seems to run hot (2 notches down from the top) and I smell coolant sometimes. This may tie into the random "LOW COOLANT LEVEL" warnings I get despite the reservoir being overfilled.
Perhaps I need a new water pump?
(2)
I get a humming noise from the engine at idle, perhaps it is an idler pulley? I'll spin the pulleys and check for noise if I replace water pump.
(3)
The headlights dim randomly for the first minute of driving at night when the car is cold. Alternator? Regulator? I don't know.

I'd appreciate any help. I plan on never taking this thing to the dealer so the more help the better.

[erw38]

Loud Steering Clunk - Search this forum for ISS or Intermediate stearing shaft. I think it was a TSB or a recall?

Non-Functional Fuel Gauge - ?

Hard slam into revese - sound like a motor mount Get a friend to shift the car into reverse while you are physically looking at the engine. You will probably see the engine jump. If so, replace the bad motor mount. (probably the one closest to the front of the car)
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That's all I know. I'm sure someone with a 2nd gen will be able to help more.

Welcome to ACNA!

[Wacko]

Welcome, Anman. How many miles?

If you are sure it is the ISS, there is no time limit. That is, it does not fail, it just makes noise. Now if you want to fix it you have two options, a lube kit or replace it with a new one. The lube kit is under $10. The new ISS at least $80 and does not guarantee it won't need lubrication down the road.

Reference this Impala web page: www.impalahq.com/TSB/TSB01-02-32-001A.html

I've done the lube kit on mine and it worked great. It can be a beyach since you have to work both under the dash and under the car. However only two bolts hold the thing in and it slips right down. Oh yeah, the other think is to immobilize the steering wheel at straight ahead. Slip a long screw driver in the hole under the tilt column to keep the wheel from moving. You can damage the steering position sensor otherwise. You might invest in the service manuals if you plan to work on your car always.

With the gas guage, the tanks are plastic so factor that in. Don't know if it is the sending unit or a loose or corroded ground though. Might check the grounds first before diving into the sending unit.

[anman]

Thanks for the comments. The hard transmission shift symptom I have researched online has been common "Poor transmission shift: Certain transmissions may suffer harsh engagement in reverse (2001); delayed upshifts (2001); slipping in 4th gear (2001); or poor pickup, slips, delayed shifts, and flares (2001-02)." autoguide.com, but for some reason my 2002 does the same.

I also learned that the clunking noise was more of an annoyance, but the symptom described the "thud" after turning the steering wheel in the parking lot doing full rotations which it did for a month. Now, my "thud" has evolved and happens when I am making normal light turns, 1st left: thud, 2nd left: nothing, turn right: thud Made me worry a bit.

Cool deal with the plastic tank, I hate how rusty the metal ones get. And don't jinx me on the ground short, those are nasty to find!

[Custom88]

anman said:

(3)
The headlights dim randomly for the first minute of driving at night when the car is cold. Alternator? Regulator? I don't know.

this one is the air injection pump. All 2nd gen Auroras do this, including mine. When the air pump kicks on, it uses enough energy to make the lights dim until the alternator can react quickly enough to the voltage drop.