Purple ZR-1 Road Trip to Yellowstone and the Pacific Northwest

[QB93Z]

Hi Bob,

I replaced the Bose system with a Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX in-dash Navigation System. It is the latest model of the Pioneer Double-DIN nav/audio systems. I have used four of the Pioneer systems.

The AVIC-8100NEX is advertised as being able to run CarPlay which supposedly offers full integration with iPhone (and Android) phones. In my experience, the CarPlay has not been integrated yet and is promised for late 2015 release.

The system is well integrated with my phone so hands-free calling is easy.

The Navigation system is satisfactory, but has a different interface than previous models. The Places of Interest data base is very limited. I guess because the cell phone integration was supposed to provide search capability.

I also don't like that the navigation screen cannot be zoomed or panned while navigating.

Jim

[QB93Z]

On Friday, we left La Grande, Oregon and headed for Mt Rainier National Park. We were surprised at the dry and barren areas of north central Oregon:




We stopped in Pendleton, Oregon and visited the Woolen Mills factory and store. We bought a few souvenirs. Pendleton is a nice prosperous city.




Continuing north, we crossed into Washington:



Entering Washington completed a very significant Bucket List item for me. I have now driven a C4 Corvette in all 50 states. 49 of the states I drove a ZR-1 and in Hawaii, I drove my brother's 1988 C4, the car that started the Corvette hobby for me. I highly recommend getting out and taking a road trip in your ZR-1.

Like Oregon, western Washington has a desert like terrain:




In Kennewick, Washington, we stopped at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex to visit the Carousel Of Dreams.




When we arrived, it was a hour before the carousel would be open, but the Manager of the facility saw us with our noses pressed to the glass, and let us in for a personal tour. The Carousel is a project of a non-profit organization I Kennewick. It is a very successful project. We were very impressed by the professionalism of the managers. We even got a private ride on the horses of our choice:



to be continued...

[QB93Z]

We continued northwest through Yakima, Washington towards Mt Rainier. While driving on Route 12 west of Naches, WA, the engine died and I coasted to a stop in a turnout. The engine restarted immediately and I drove to a gas station to fill up. I figured that maybe the fuel was low enough that the secondary fuel pump was getting starved. The car started so I drove around the block and the car ran fine, so we continued west. About 10 miles later, the engine stopped and would not restart.

Five days ago, I had a primary fuel pump failure that I bypassed with an emergency jumper. Now I was faced with the possibility that the Secondary Fuel pump had failed. Route 12 runs through a very undeveloped part of the Washington. I decided to change to fuel pump to install the spare that I was carrying. It took about 20 minutes to replace the pump. However, after the replacement, the engine would not start. I checked the fuel rail pressure by removing the cap from the test fitting on the passenger side fuel rail, and found no pressure.

Facing the possibility that the problem was electrical, and not the pumps, we called AAA and waited 1.5 hours in 103 degree heat.

I had the ZR-1 taken back to Yakima where the driver dropped me at an O'Riley's Auto Parts Store with a motel near by. I worked in 100 degree heat in the parking lot until after dark trying to isolate the electrical problem.

I have to send THANKS to Phil and Yun for their unfailing phone tech support by send be photos of tech manual pages and trouble shooting suggestions late into the night on the East Coast.

We cancelled our room reservations at Mt Rainier, and booked a room in Yakima. I thought I isolated the problem to a faulty Primary Fuel Pump Relay. It took a while to remove the interior panels and find the relay. The engine still wouldn't start.

After a short night's sleep, I decided that the problem had to be in a wiring connector between the relay under the dash and the fuel pumps. I removed the fuel pump assembly and found that the wiring connector on the tank side of the fuel pump plate had failed.






Apparently the connector is loose on the pins and the current flow over-heated the pin. When I used the jumper to shift to the secondary pump, that pin over-heated as well.

I cleaned up the pins and applied a slight bend to the pins to hold then more securely in the male portion of the connector. I adjusted the metal clip that secures the connector. I reassembled the fuel pump assembly, got a jump start (the battery had been drained during 10 hours of trouble shooting), and the car started. I put everything back together and we got back on the road.

In retrospect, I made some extra work for myself because in the heat and dark, I was having trouble reading voltage on the fuse connectors in the fuse panel. It was hard to get reliable readings with the volt meter I bought and I thought I wasn't getting voltage at the fuse.

I have to say a big Thank You to my wife Lyndi. She supported me completely during the whole ordeal. She brought me cold water and cookies and handled all the logistics of changing reservations. She was patient and understanding. I am a lucky guy!!!

Jim

[QB93Z]

After we got the car running, we drove north west to I-5 and north to Seattle and on to North Cascades National Park:




North Cascades National Park is a very large park on the northern border of Washington. The Northern Cascades Mountains contain more glaciers than Glacier National Park. The views and vistas in the Ross Lake area are fantastic:



We drove to the Washington Pass , the highest overlook in the park, for this beautiful view:



Jim

[QB93Z]

On Sunday we left Marblemount, Washington and headed for sightseeing in Seattle, WA. On the way out of town, I stopped for gas and was surprised to find the service lacking:




In Seattle, our first stop was at the Pike Street Market and the seafood and farm markets. Here Lyndi is standing with some crabs that are much larger than Maryland Blue crabs:



We got a view of the Seattle Space Needle with the Purple Z in the foreground:



We visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. The displays are very beautiful:




We decided on the spur of the moment to take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island instead of driving all the way south to Tacoma and then north to Bangor.




The ferry was very convenient and fun. It leaves from directly downtown and was loaded and underway promptly.

From the ferry we got a wonderful view of the Seattle waterfront with a tugboat giving a fire cannon salute to two visiting USN Frigates:




We drove on to the US Navy Submarine Base Kitsap in Bangor, WA.

Jim

[HIZNHRZ]

Jim,

Very sorry to read about your problems on the road. Yes, you are certainly blessed with a wife that not only enjoys making the trips with you but also stands by you when problems are encountered. It’s hard enough to diagnose and repair electrical issues in a comfortable garage much less in 100+ degree heat on the side of the road or in a parking lot. You should be proud of your knowledge of the ZR-1, your trouble-shooting and repair skills, and your patience. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wishing you and Lyndi Godspeed through the balance of your trip and the hope you are able to complete it without further inconveniences. As usual, your pictures are amazing!

Best regards.

[Paul Workman]

Lots of memories in the Great NW for me too! I remember the water cannon salute we received when visiting Seattle when I was in "Uncle Sam's Haze-gray Yacht Club". The pier we tied up to was packed with towns people, welcoming us as tho they were family and we were returning to home base after a "West-Pac" cruise! After "a few" of a different kind of receptions we'd gotten in SE Asia (circa late 60s & early 70s), it left a lasting - almost tearful - experience in my heart.

Arrrrgghhh! Sorry to hear about the continuing fuel pump saga! Good that you've extended your routine of a sub-mariner "qualification" to include the ZR-1, huh? Hmmm.... Fuel pump (related) issues...again...eh? I think it would be worth while (for me, anyway) to add relay(s) and a spare fuel pump and gen up a jumper for the "ready bag", and to inspect that fuel-side connector before venturing out on a long trip. Glad you were able to wring it out, and having a support crew member there to bring you cold water and support...priceless!

Hats off to Lyndi too for the stunning photography! That 18-300 Nikkor lens is "to die for"! I have an "ED" Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 that practically retired a cadre of (fixed focal length) lenses to "ballast duty" in my bag. I can only imagine the freedom that 18-300 affords (color me envious!). I keep saying I want to move to a D52 (my brother has one too) and Lyndi's photos are giving me that "itch" once again.

Well, again, thank you and Lyndi for including us on your adventure. Can't wait to see the next installment of Lyndi's photolog. And, here's hoping the unplanned "oh-shitz" are behind you now for good!

[XfireZ51]

Jim,

In some other thread, it would be really helpful if you were to outline the preparation you go through for one of these trips. In particular, deciding what mechanical/electrical contingencies you try to anticipate. What tools do you pack?

[B17 Crew]

Thank you for relaying the camera and lens you and Lyndi use for the photography. The Adorama site is a nice resource that I did not know about.

My hat is off to you as I read about the conditions in which you diagnosed the fuel pump problem. I hope that the rest of your trip is trouble-free and that all of your travels are safe. Thank you for bringing the beauty of this country to those of us hoping to make a trip like this one day!

B17 Crew

[Jagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Lots of memories in the Great NW for me too! I remember the water cannon salute we received when visiting Seattle when I was in "Uncle Sam's Haze-gray Yacht Club".

Paul,
What ship or ships did you sail on?
I was aboard the USS Dennis J. Buckley DD808 and USS Sterett DLG31 (both out of San Diago) about the same time frame. Did two Westpacs then took the Starett through a much needed overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard.