My Montana

Whiplash

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Hola,
I have been searching for a winter DD for about 6 months. Was looking for almost anything AWD or 4x4. Could not find anything in my price range so my parents gave me their Montana that my younger sister has been driving for a few years.
Basically its a POS. Has issues everywhere you look. But its free so I can't complain.

Issues:
-Radio display does not work (I know its common)
-Fuel gauge doesn't work (common)
-Heat/AC works from setting 3-5. 1 and 2 do nothing (common)
-Driver window does not work, passanger window barely works, I wont touch these in fear of them not going back up
-Foggy super weak headlights
-Key fob does not work at all, should be an easy fix
-Rear drivers light has been backed into something so it's broken (but working)
-Grill insert thing falling off
-Random CEL with random warning messages
-Car smells like smoke (all kinds, retarded sister)
-Dirty everywhere from all sorts of fluids (dirty sister)
-Back windows do not open, button does nothing
-Biggest problem. Car battery dies constantly. battery and alternator have been replaced. If I don't drive the car for a day, it needs a jump. This really sucks because I need this car to get to and from work

So far the only mods done to this thing are the baby seat, I have cleaned it since taking these pics (will post later), new wipers, new headlight bulbs (not installed yet), and I got some rusty alero rims which I spray painted red for snow tires which I picked up (have not been mounted yet)

I think if most of these minor issues are fixed and it decides to start working properly this thing could be a god winter DD. I even tried looking for a thunder version of this van and an aztek. But no luck.

Anyways I will post more pictures as I do stuff to this thing.

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Can't really tell from the pictures but there is coffee/coke/ food spilled all over the place. Everything was sticky and it still smells.

Pics of the horrible output from headlights. The two brighter ones were taken when it wasn't fully dark yet.

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My ex GF is supposed to be getting the rims installed today while Im at work. We will see how everything goes.
 
To fix the ac/heater fan blower speed is just a blower motor resistor ~$10 and its a diy job just google it or even better ytube its a 10 min job on your back,pretty easy access .

To fix the key fob maybe just a battery I have seen testers at the check out at the local autoparts you just press your buttons and this wireless tester receiver lights up if receives a signal if not buy the batteries there . Try autozone or advance auto and maybe napa?

Your windows may just need some wd40 or other lube sprayed on the tracks to free it up a bit.
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Those headlights are cheap. But I live across the river from Detroit and shipping would probably be at least $20+
I will just clean them up and change the bulbs. Hopefully this weekend I can take that hood deflector off and do the lights.

I'm thinking that I wont even bother programming the remote because the battery keeps on dying. I might give it a go this weekend but if it doesn't work I wont be too sad.

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I might leave the center caps off. Probably not though because I don't need moisture getting to the lugs.
 
Anyone know what that wind deflector thing on the front is secured to the car with? Is it just double sided tape?
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Awesome, that crap is coming off. When I closed the hood a few weeks ago the right side just snapped off as you can see from one of the pictures.
 
I wasn't sure about the red wheels but they actually look pretty good. Nice job.

Across the river from Detroit? So you are in Windsor?
 
Yup Windsor. Its shitty here. How is Woodstock?
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California would be so good right now. Well anytime really.
 
Installed new bulbs in the headlights. Tried cleaning the headlights with stuff that has never failed me before and it got rid of the yellow haze, but it left a whitish haze. Not an improvement at all.
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I did manage to get the fogs working at least and they help a lot.
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Wow. That is a huge improvement.
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Yeah, so even with the new bulbs its horrible. I think the fogs are pretty much brighter than the headlights.
 
I always wanted to find some HID's that are plug in for the fog's that would through some great light !!!!
 
They probably make those, but I dont have money to throw at that.
 
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