Vehicle Inspection Woes

[68gmsee]

I usually don't drive my truck much during the summer and it's been parked for last couple of months but run the engine every week for at least 5-10 minutes. Yesterday morning I remembered it's time to have it inspected so I could drive it this weekend.

First problem I had: Cranked the truck and it would turn over but wouldn't start (first time it's done this since a plugged fuel line 15 years ago). Checked for fuel flow and also made sure it wasn't flooded. All good. Checked for spark with timing light and it showed I had spark. Checked compression and it was good. Checked #1 spark plug was at TDC on compression stroke and it was right on. Replaced the HEI coil and rusty ground strap out of another HEI I have and truck started right up. I suspect a weak spark.

Second problem: Checked head lights. No headlights. All other lights okay. After checking fuses I remembered the same thing happening on my 69 when the foot dimmer switch went bad. I put a meter on it and found out it was bad. Got a new one at NAPA and that fixed headlight problems.

Third problem: As I was finally getting ready to go, my wife said I didn't have backup lights. I don't think it's required in Texas but just to be sure I checked fuses again. All OK. Turns out the reverse backup switch on the column was broken.

Fourth problem: Today is Thanksgiving day and there's only one guy there that can drive a three speed on the column and won't be back until Monday.

[weq92f]

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Dang... guess you'll be waiting till Monday then! Can't believe there's only one guy knows how to drive a manual!

My guess is they would fail you for lack of reverse lights.

-klb

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

This serves as a reminder to me of why I am so glad that my state stopped the vehicle inspection back in 1994. There was always a laundry list of issues like the OP had. It is such a ripoff!

[Mike C]

You don't need backup lights in Texas. If you only use your truck occasionally and recreationally, consider getting Antique tags for it. (Not Classic. Antique.) You can find more online if you search.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by weq92f

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Dang... guess you'll be waiting till Monday then! Can't believe there's only one guy knows how to drive a manual!

My guess is they would fail you for lack of reverse lights.
-klb

Since the sticker is expired, I didn't want to drive all over town looking for someone who knows how to drive these old trucks. Several years ago, I went to a couple of downtown inspection stations and neither one had a person that knew how to drive my truck. The mechanic I take it to now used to own an old truck and has been inspecting all my vehicles for the last 5 years. He was going to inspect it yesterday but as I mentioned my truck wasn't ready.

[Hutch]

if you only use your truck occasionally and recreationally, consider getting antique tags for it. (not classic. Antique.)

x2

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Make sure before you register it as an antique vehicle that you check the yearly mileage limit. We have that restriction here.

[CG]

Or you can look at the bright side and look at all the naggy stuff you got fixed. And you can now get your reverse lights figured out before inspection, whether they are required or not. It's winter, it's darker during driving times and reverse lights are a great thing to have.

[jradford]

Backup lights may not be required but sure nice on a dark night.

[HO455]

There are times I wish I was back in a state that does inspections. When 1 out of 10 cars have only one headlight and there are freaking bicycles everywhere in the rain, after dark. I don't even want to think of all the vehicles with no brakes. The guy down the street only has an ebrake to stop his Volvo and drives it to work every day.
Sorry. Must stop ranting!

[dmjlambert]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Fourth problem: Today is Thanksgiving day and there's only one guy there that can drive a three speed on the column and won't be back until Monday.

That's great to get that stuff fixed. So there is a place that was open for inspections on Thanksgiving?

I think if I encountered an inspector that didn't know how to drive a 3 on the tree I would just say it's time to learn, I'll show you. It only takes 5 minutes to get used to it.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

That's great to get that stuff fixed. So there is a place that was open for inspections on Thanksgiving?

I think if I encountered an inspector that didn't know how to drive a 3 on the tree I would just say it's time to learn, I'll show you. It only takes 5 minutes to get used to it.

No, this happened yesterday (Wed.). I had my daily driver inspected Wed morning and that's when he told me he was going to be off Thanksgiving and be back Monday. I guess I didn't make that clear in the sentence.

Re. the teaching a person to drive it, I did just that at one of the inspection stations. The young guy said he would inspect it if I showed him how to drive it. I stepped him through the "H" pattern and showed him the hi/lo beam foot switch. When he reached for the seat belt he said he couldn't pass it without a shoulder strap. I then had to explain that only lap belt was required on this old trucks but he insisted. I just told him I'd find some place else. Didn't feel like the hassle was worth it.

And, that's why I go to this one station. No hassles, the guy knows the requirements and not too many cars to wait for since it's in the outskirts of town.

[weq92f]

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Same here... take mine to a small shop in my small town... guy there knows that the old truck just needs a standard old truck inspection... brakes, lights, horn, hand brake and that's about it!

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

...And, that's why I go to this one station. No hassles, the guy knows the requirements and not too many cars to wait for since it's in the outskirts of town.

-klb

[68gmsee]

Update on backup lights. The switch I bought wasn't like the original and couldn't get it to work right even though O'reilly's site said it would. I'm starting a new post in case someone else has the problem I had.

[custom10nut]

Why would one of the “Counter Monkeys” need to know how to drive YOUR 3OTT? Does the state office assume full responsibility and liability for your vehicle while the State employee is operating it? Since my truck came to me 26+ years ago, there’s been two operators. Me, and my son, because he earned the privilege. Does a state employee ride motorcycles too? Not my Harley

[Katrina/10]

Check the dimmer switch for the headlight problem.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Check the dimmer switch for the headlight problem.

Yeah, that was the problem. Same thing happened on my 69 many years ago but it happened at night on a country road. Luckily it was a flat, straight road with shoulders.