mytc05

I have two TC’s with hardtops that fit snuggly along the top of the windshield from the passenger side all the way to about 3/4 of the way across to the driver’s side. However, that last 1/4 of front of the top on both cars has a visible gap that allows in both air and rain. Has anyone else experienced this? I can’t figure out a way to adjust it down on the driver’s side, as the hooks are already screwed down as tightly as they can be. It seems weird they would both have this issue in the same spot too. So, wanted to see if any one had suggestions or had experienced this on theirs as well?

Hi all, I have a strange one here. My driver’s side front dash tweeter has been cutting in and out on my TC for years. It is an aftermarket system I had put in, and I assumed the people who installed it did something wrong. Fast forward to now. I have a second TC with the original radio and Infinity speaker system, and it does the same thing! Both intermittently just cut off for somewhat long periods of time and then out of nowhere come back on. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this some strange quirk of the TC that can be fixed? Seems like a strange random thing to happen on two different cars with completely different audio systems.

Hey guys. Dad, just checked the distributor issue you mentioned, and he doesn't see any issues with it.

That's awesome @Hemi Dude. Yeah, my grandfather was a Plymouth dealer going back to the 1960's, and then soon after, Chrysler and Dodge, and eventually Jeep/Eagle as well. So, Dad started off working at his dealership from the ground up until he eventually purchased his own, which he later sold and changed industries. Grandpa retired a few years ago and sold his dealership. So, we no longer have access to the large library of great tools (not to mention the lifts) that we used for so many years. Dad just unplugged the vacuum line off the throttle body, which he said if there's a leak somewhere, it should make the problem worse. Instead, it actually ran a bit better. So, he said he doesn't think it's a vacuum leak problem. He said because of this, it seems that its actually getting too much fuel for the air mixture. Next, we swapped yet another MAP sensor off of another TC (it's off of a 90 V6, and this is a '91, but from what I understand. the 91's were just rebadged 90's that they hadn't sold yet. So they should have the same sensor). Still same problem. So, that would mean, the original MAP sensor, another MAP sensor off of a parts car I have and then this third MAP sensor have all been tried, without a resolution to the problem. That's not to say that I didn't have 3 bad MAP sensors, but I would think that would be pretty rare to happen. Dad is currently checking the distributor issue that you mentioned previously. The only other thing we can think of would be a bad ECM. When I first got this car, it wouldn't stay running at all. So, we swapped the ECM from the 1990 parts car I had onto this 1991 (again, same as above, I'm assuming it should be the same for both model years). So, maybe both ECM's were bad, but again, I would think that would be unlikely. I'm really hoping to not have to replace the ECM/have it rebuilt as I think that can get expensive. Anything else you can think of, or any light you can shed on the above information? Much appreciated @Hemi Dude and @mensanguy, and hope your areas are coming out of this deep freeze over the last week!

Hey gents. I agree with you @mensanguy, about @Hemi Dude. I know he's got a ton of experience, not only with Mopar in general, but specifically our T.C.'s. A little background on my dad. He was a Chrysler technician for years as well, before becoming a service manager and then eventually having his own Chrysler dealership for a while. So, often, the things that are recommended on here, he's already looked at and tried. However, since these T.C.'s can be a little tricky on their own, and with Dad being out of the field for years, he always values the input you guys provide, as sometimes, things will be something he hadn't seen before that are unique to the T.C.'s or that he just hadn't thought of. I just have to be the relay in-between, since I have more time to work on it, and do the posting. So, I do what I can and then default to him when I'm visiting them and he can take a look. So, a big THANK YOU to you guys for your help on different issues over the years! That said, I did check with Dad, and he had pulled the MAP sensor off of another V6 T.C. when I first got the car and it was having these issues, to see if it fixed the problem. While it did improve some of the problems with it running, this particular issue remains. Perhaps that old sensor was at least partially faulty as well. So, it might be worth a try replacing it with a new aftermarket MAP sensor. That is a good suggestion with the vac lines as well. We're going to try to take a look at that tomorrow while he's in town for the holidays. It just runs great when it's not acting up. So, I feel like it's always on the cusp of bing a reliable daily driver. Just gotta get this one figured out. I'm going to try to take it up to get the fault codes read by a DRB as well. Will let you know what we find. Thanks guys!

Hey guys, Apologies on the delay. It's been a crazy fall, with many projects. Also ended up having to put a new radiator in this TC. So, it's been keeping me busy. I did end up putting a new IAC in the car, and still same problems. I reset the codes, and it still occasionally throws the same fault codes (12, 24 and I did get a 17 once). The previous owner mentioned he had replaced the TPS and the IAC in the past, but it sounds like his mechanic wasn't the greatest and took him for a ride a bit. So, since the car was showing the classic signs for those parts potentially being bad, and with the error codes, I put new of both in. It also has a new fuel filter that was put in right before I got it. The damndest thing about it, is it runs great when it's not acting up, occasionally. Other times, it'll idle great at a stoplight for a while, and then all of a sudden starting raving or pulsing back and forth. It also still dies on me occasionally at low speeds and idle, though that is rare. Still the same thing where sometimes I'll hit the accelerator about 1/2 way down, and it'll barely respond for a second or two and then ramp up. Never have had this issue with my other TC. And with the TPS and IAC now being replaced again, I'm at a loss. Worried it could be the ECM, which I do not want to have to replace due to cost, and not knowing if it is even the culprit. Though it is probably another issue (maybe transmission), it also will occasionally jerk a bit repeatedly when driven at a consistent 45-50 mph. My dad will be in town for the holidays, and can take another look you all recommend he look at other potential culprits. Any other suggestions, gents?

Actually, I think I found it. #04861084. From calling a dealer with this part number, it looks like Chrysler doesn't stock this part anymore. So, OEM from a dealer is out. Looks like moparpartsgiant.com has it, but never ordered from the before. Not sure if they're legitimate. In looking back at some paperwork a bit, and looking at this part, the previous owner did in fact replace it not long before I got the car. So, it makes me think it's maybe not an IAC issue. Not sure what else would be causing it. I have a short video of what it's doing a lot at idle, but I can't share video files on the forum. It basically pulses at stop lights pretty bad, and sitting still starts to die (or sometimes does die) when it drops below 400 RPM, and then it over revs up to say 900 RPM and then goes back down. As I mentioned, sometimes when I step on the gas pulling away from idle, it hesitates for a few seconds before it really starts to respond. If I drop it into neutral while siting at a light, it often revs up to around 1500-1700 RPM and often will just sit there. Ugh. By the way, @Hemi Dude, I did try your recommendation on srewing it half way in and then reversing part way and re-installing. Same problem still, even after taking it for a drive. This one's got me stumped.

Hey guys, any chance you know the OEM part number for the IAC for a 1990? Called a dealer to get a quote, and they said they have no parts for the car at all. *eye roll*. The age and the Maserati name always scare the parts guys. I see 136 on the end of the part, but the rest is worn off. From googling, it looks like this one might be aftermarket. Don't have a parts guide any more for these. So, wanted to check.

Hey @Hemi Dude, when I removed it, as I was setting it down, it came apart. The pintle, spring and black ring came down as the pintle seemed to have barely ben screwed on. I was easily able to screw it right back on. It seems like it should be fine. Are you saying something is wrong if it came off and easily screwed back on? My original question was how much to screw it back down, but not sure if you're saying it's junk?

Thanks guys. I pulled the IAC out last night, and it looks clean to me. I didn't notice anything gumming up the metal tip or the spring. It seems it can be screwed in tighter or looser. Is that something that has to be calibrated properly for it to work correctly? I'm not sure how tight it should be screwed down on the spring.

Hey @Hemi Dude, @avgwarhawk and @Ronnie, Just wanted to say thank you for this input! I finally got a chance to go through some of this with my dad tonight. He's the mechanic, and I have to either have him do the work when I visit home, or I have to have him walk me through it over the phone. Finally got a chance for us to discuss this tonight, and take a look. So, a few things. We had repaired the vacuum line from the HVAC panel to the throttle body area, about a month ago when he was passing through town very briefly, as that line was broke. Tried to make due with a larger diameter hose and some tape, as I didn't have the right hose, and we didn't have time to run to an Autoparts store. Well, that line had fallen off, which was why my A/C wouldn't go back to panel at all. I knew something was up, but had to wait for him to walk me through it over FaceTime tonight. We had also replaced the check valve on that line about two months ago, but the aftermarket seems like it's junk and doesn't provide as good of a seal as it should. So, thinking I should replace that with a Chrysler part instead. So, I went to the auto parts store tonight and got some windshield washer fluid line and put it on the vacuum control valve and slid the OEM vacuum line that was coming out of the firewall inside the other end of the new line. Seems to be a tight fit. So, hoping that fixes that for good. As I mentioned, we had replaced the TPS with an aftermarket, but it was still acting up. So, I pulled the TPS off of a parts car that I have to see if that OEM one would be better, and it's still continued to give problems. My dad had mentioned cleaning the IAC previously, which I hadn't done yet. So, with y'all also suggesting that, I took it off tonight. Doesn't look particularly gummy in there to me, but I'm by no means an expert. I think I'm going to pull my IAC off the parts car as well, and clean that with some carburetor cleaner and put that one on to see if it resolves the problem. Didn't see any other easily noticeable vacuum line issues, such as tears or broken lines. When I first got this car, it was running horrible, and wouldn't stay running. The previous owner had already replaced the fuel filter and the MAP sensor. So, we swapped the SMEC from my parts car, and that helped a ton. So, hoping that SMEC is not the issue, as it seemed fine for the first little bit. Going to do thta IAC cleaning and swap in the next day or so, and that, along with the new vacuum line replacement, I'm hoping will resolve it. Fingers crossed. More recently, when I step on the gas after sitting at a light, it hesitates for a second or two before it really starts to grab and go. Stepping down further on the gas seems to help. Not sure if that is part of this issue as well or what, but that's a somewhat more recent development. Also, recently, I've been having a problem sometimes with the cruise set around 50 where it pulses roughly, almost as if it's trying to hard accelerate and then let of hard back and forth. That started more recently as well. So, this all might be connected. Just figured I'd mention in case that points to anything more particularly. What's so damn frustrating is, when it doesn't act up, it runs great! Sometimes, even sitting at lights or pulling away from them, (like it did tonight on the way to the parts store), it ran great. Nice and smooth. So, it's strange. Thanks again for the insight thus far gentleman. I'll let you know what happens after the IAC cleaning and swap.

@Hemi Dude and @avgwarhawk Thanks for your insight guys. The MAP Sensor has been replaced previously. Hemi, I did clear the codes back in July, and it's continued to throw 24 again after. The 21 oxygen sensor fault has just come up recently. We did replace a vacuum hose line that was affecting the HVAC not blowing through the panel when on high fan speeds. It was good for a while, but now that has acted up again and never blows out the panels anymore. The 24 code and erratic behavior has continued since before and throughout these changes though. I'll have to take a look at the vacuum lines along the circuit and see if maybe there's another leak somewhere. The TPS and the MAP sensor were the two main things we could think of, but I'll be damned that neither has made any difference with this. Like I said, once in a while it runs great for a drive, but it is short lived, and then goes back to this. Erratic throttling, sometimes erratic shifting, and occasionally dying at low RPM. It's so frustrating because it's been a little gremlin issue since I got this second TC. I appreciate it guys!

What's the color combo? Also, do you have the hardtop storage rack and cover?

Hi all, One of my TC's is driving erratic. It has pretty much since I got it a few months ago and started driving it. It's throwing the check engine light now as well with codes: 12, 24, 21 and then the ending code 55. We had already replaced the Throttle Position Sensor with an aftermarket, and it kept acting up and throwing the code. So, I pulled the one of my parts car to see if that worked better. Same problems and still getting the code. When idling, it constantly accelerates and decelerates the throttle between 400 RPM to about 1,100 RPM. If I put it in neutral when I sit at a light and it's doing this, a lot of the time, it then revs up to about 1,100-1,600 RPM and holds it there. Also, sometimes when I step on the gas, it hesitates for a few seconds before it responds, unless I really step on it. It's also occasionally dying on me at lower speeds. Anyone have any suggestions. When it's not acting up lie this (which is rare, but does ocassionally happen), it runs great! Would something else besides the TPS throw a TPS error and cause these issues? It's been really frustrating, and just can't figure out what is causing this. Any help would be appreciated!

Ended up getting this resolved. Part number is K050715.

@Hemi DudeAlternator and power steering serpentine belt.

Hi all, Went to buy a replacement serpentine belt today for a ‘91, and can’t find them. O’Reilly, AutoZone, etc. all were giving a part listing for a belt that was too long (by about a foot). Looking it up under a 1990, actually gave a similar length to the one I removed, but not sure it's correct. Anyone know the part number and/or where I can purchase one quickly?

Looking at options for refurbishing the hardtop opera window glass with the TC emblem. I know I've seen a few things over the years about this, but wanted to check with fellow owners to hear input and sucess or failure stories. From what I understand, separating the two panes of glass destroys the film with the emblem that rests between. The glass on mine has the common bubbling between the glass. So, wanted to see, has anyone salvaged and reused the emblem laminate between? If not, has anyone found a replacement film with the emblem that is a convincing replica replacement? Does anyone do this regularly as a service they offer for fellow TC owners?

Hi everyone. I recently purchased another TC. It's a '91 that seems to be starving for fuel. If we remove the MAP sensor, it will run okay for a bit and rev okay, but of course, very rich. As soon as you put the MAP sensor back on, it dies. For a while, we could get it to start and idle with the MAP sensor on, but putting it under any power load would kill it. The IAC has been replaced, the MAP sensor has been replaced, and the fuel filter has been replaced. Spraying brake cleaner in the intake helps it run better as well. So, it seems to be a fuel delivery problem. Any ideas to help diagnose the problem? We're thinking fuel pump, fuel sensor or gunk built up in the lines. The previous owner said it sat for a while when other work was being done to it. So, perhaps the fuel varnished and plugged things up? Hoping to troubleshoot as much as possible easily before having to drop the fuel tank, or tearing in under the hood too much to check all the potential problems along the line. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Have any of y'all ever removed the original leather seat covers from a pair of seats and replaced them with original covers from another TC's seats? Is this easy to do without damaging the leather and stitching, or do you have to cut or break clips or other parts in the process? Wasn't sure on these cars in particular how difficult this would be, but figured there's others on here who have already been down this road and tried it, either successfully or regrettably.

@Mad_Bohemian Messaged you!

Thanks @mensanguy. I took your advice and went ahead and did that. Kinda looking to find one fairly quickly if possible though. So, if anybody knows of one for sale or has any other ideas, would definitely be appreciated!

I @89TC-16V, figured this is a long shot (it's been 6 years ago I see), but curious if you ever sold the TC and all of it's parts? If you still have it or still have parts, just let me know! Thanks!

Just for reference, this is what the cover looks like that I am referring to:

Just for reference, this is what the cover looks like that I am referring to: