remote entry, radio, steering AND electrical problems

[maximvsv]

Alright. Here's the whole enchilada, as it were. I bought my SVX three years ago, May. The aftermarket warranty is about to run out and rather than renew it, I want to get all of the covered things checked and fixed, assuming I can come up with the cash to front the repairs and have the Great Lakes people reimburse me. Anyway, here's what I've been dealing with...

When I got the car, the used car dealer only had one key, the "valet" key. No alarm remotes, no main key. I got the main key made and got two remotes. One has been used so much that the button part is completely worn away, exposing the button and the battery. Long ago, I had put in a piece of clear vinyl, so it's not too exposed. Off and on, when I would use the sunroof, the remotes would stop working. Usually, it was temporary, lasting a day at most. Lately, it's been out for four days. I thought the damaged remote might be the problem, but replacing the battery didn't help, and the "good" remote doesn't work. Then I thought that somehow the car's alarm system had gotten scrambled, even though the clock was still keeping time to show that there wasn't a current interruption. Just when I went to go look up how to program the car again, the remotes started working again. It lasted for a day. Now they're out again.

So, question # 1 is: is there some systemic connection between the sunroof, its controls and the alarm system that could cause wiring to get disconnected or corroded?

Next, my low fuel warning light is constantly on. Sometimes it is only at a low intensity, but it gets bright long before the gauge reads 1/4 tank. So, is the light connected to more than just the fuel level?

Next, my radio's tuner backlight has been out for some time. Occasionally, the light for the buttons will go out, too, but that usually comes back. The LCD backlight, though, has been just plain out. Is it repairable, and if so, how?

Lately, when I start the car, the car isn't generating enough current to have all of the check lights extinguish. I let the motor run a bit to make sure the oil's getting warm and circulating, then rev the engine until the voltage comes up to where it should be. Is this more indicative of an alternator problem, battery problem or loose belt or what?

Next, this car has always had a slight pull to the right. The alignment's been checked on several occasions, and all that anyone can find is that the alignment is out of caster by two degrees. Is that enough to make it pull to one side? Is caster adjustable on this suspension?

I would like to replace the hood struts, or install a permanent brace for the hood. Is there a bolt-in aftermarket replacement for the struts? All I've seen required cutting new holes and such to make them work.

I'd also like clear instructions and a diagram for taking the instrument center panel and the dashboard apart. Is anyone aware of something like that in someone's locker on here?

Well, that's it for now. Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Peter