Fiero Proud

The story is simple: some time in April 2002 my tach died when I was accelerating my 87GT on the highway. The RPM redlined and then dropped to zero. My gut feeling told me it was my tach filter, and after replacing it with the one from my 85GT, my suspicion turned into certainty. Nothing is easier than getting a new tach filter, right? Wrong! The tach filter has been discontinued from GM for some time, and the only alternatives were getting one from Rodney Dickman or making one yourself. Both alternatives were not really appealing, since Rodney’s version does not look stock, and making one myself will probably look even worse.

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One of the most common causes of problems with the Fiero are ignition related, and apart from bad spark plugs and frayed ignition wires the distributor is often at fault. The ignition module can easily be replaced, but the pickup coil is usually as old as the module, and this should be reason enough to rebuild the entire distributor – it’s not that difficult. This article illustrates the steps necessary to rebuild the distributor, what to look out for, and hopefully the pictures help you in the process. As always, I’d be grateful for a nice entry in my guestbook! Oh, you can click on most images for a detailed view!

To do a rebuild, you should get the following parts (prices are from The Fiero Store as of Oct 2002):

• Pickup-Coil (#1049 5089, $19.20)
• O-ring (#1047 7565, $1.40)
• Ignition Module (#1048 2829, $59.50) and mounting screws (#1046 9668, $4.73 ea.)
• Distributor cap(#198 9797) and rotor (#1049 7452)

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History

The VATS system (Vehicle Anti Theft System), also known as PASS-Key (Personal Automotive Security System), was introduced by GM in the 1986 model year on the Corvette as a reaction to increasing Corvette thefts. Later the system was introduced in more car lines and the improved successors were named PASS-Key I and PASS-Key II. The GM locking steering columns (as used in all GM vehicles, including the Fiero) can be defeated very easily with brute force. BTW, the same company that makes the locks also makes a lock breaking tool. Go figure. Anyway, basically all you need is brute force and the car is yours. GM wanted to introduce a low-cost system that eliminated driver involvement, and the PASS-Key system was born.

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The subwoofer speaker used in the Fiero‘s performance sound system is known to deteriorate. The foam that connects the membrane with the metal case rots away, and the speaker will sooner or later start to fail or generate distortions. This wouldn’t be too bad, except for the fact that GM has discontinued this part. Several people have tried to find suitable replacement speakers, with no success. The problem is that the Fiero subwoofer is rather small (5.25″), and the enclosure is tuned. So any replacement would have to fit mechanically, electrically and acoustically.

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The story of the Fiero subwoofer system seems to be one of the great mysteries of our time. I keep getting all kinds of questions about this system all the time, so I thought it was about time to try and answer them all. The subwoofer system was available from 86 to 88 only, so to check if a Fiero is (or was) equipped with that system, check the option codes sticker, the “Performance Sound System” has option code UQ6. This sound system was designed to improve the stock sound and came with two-way speakers instead of stock speakers. But don’t expect boom that’ll pop your sunroof open, GM didn’t have that in mind when they made the Fiero amp.

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Many have blamed Pontiac of making the Fiero a car that is known for its share of electrical problems. So far there has only been empirical evidence for this in the form of inexplicable electrical phenomena.

Over the years I have come to an intimate knowledge of the Fiero‘s electrical system, and there are at least four separate engineering flaws that can cause all sorts of weird behaviour. Not all of these flaws are present in all years, but I’m sure the symptoms will sound familiar to many of you, and maybe it will help some of you to at least explain your car’s strange behavior.

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Introduction

Whether you’re buying a “new” Fiero or going on an extended trip, whether you’re a Fiero expert or a novice, you’re never sure your Fiero is completely operational and all its circuits are functioning perfectly. This is why I have compiled this checklist. It allows you to check virtually all functions of a Fiero and quickly determine if something is broken or not working right. It does not cover all cases or all electrical problems, but it should catch the majority of them. If you think I left something out, please feel free to contact me and I’ll add it to the list. This checklist does not require any tools, just a pair of eyes (actually, one will do too), and your hands. A helper can speed up the process, but you can also do everything by yourself.

This list checks all bulbs, switches and many other components. It can not check everything, but pinpoints a lot of problems that might go unnoticed until after you have bought the car.

The list

• With the ignition key out of the lock, push the parking light switch. The front parking lights, amber front and red rear side marker lights and rear parking lights should come on.
• The instrument illumination should be on and be dimmable with the wheel below the light switch. All instruments are illuminated, and if you rotate the dimmer to full and then some, the dome and floor courtesy lights should come on. There are also dimmed lights in the radio (for GM radios), the A/C or heater controls, the auxiliary gauge cluster (if equipped), the cigarette lighter socket (you have to remove the lighter to see it), the ashtrays and the automatic transmission gear select lever.
• Open hood and check if the courtesy lights on the passenger side work.
• Turn parking light switch off again.

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The tilt steering column disassembly seems to be one of the last great mysteries of our time. Nobody likes to do it, but when you do, it’s really not all that bad. At least it seems that way to me. Most people don’t know how to disassemble it, and the description in the Factory Service Manual is sketchy at best. So I have decided to document the process of tearing into the column, when it was time for me to do so.

This procedure should be useful if you’re trying to do one of these repairs:

• Turn signal switch
• Key buzzer switch
• Ignition lock
• Ignition lock housing
• Wiper switch
• Loose tilt mechanism

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