Ben Fixes a Chevy Volt

[HaroldinCR]

Is that normal hot glue or the high strength version ? For your first time it's looking pretty good, so far. Are you warming up the paint so it doesn't crack as you progress ?

[Daox]

Very cool work Ben. I've been watching the videos as they come out on YouTube.

[MetroMPG]

Ben!



This is a fantastic project you've got going. I saw the first vid online before you posted here.



I think we have reached peak EcoModder: a member has a "parts Volt" out back that he can use to fix up his "beater Volt".


And I thought having a couple of Geo Metros laying around was extravagant!

[bennelson]

The other weird thing is that I had an airbag error light turn on, but not until AFTER I swapped the doors!

After a little work (and input from folks on forums) I was able to discover the issue was because of a sensor on the "Seat Belt Pretensioner", which is a device attached to the seat.

The new driver seat for the car was pulled from the parts car, and THAT car had been in a collision. So, the new seat was telling the car the wrong thing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MAwt6J8u-U

I was able to swap the pretensioner from the one seat to the other. It was pretty easy to do, other than it meant pulling the driver seat out of the car one more time!

Once everything was plugged back in, the error was cleared!

I've now taken the car in for emissions testing and that was the last thing I needed for full and clear title/license/registration/etc. to legally be on the road.

The car drives well, and my wife likes the stereo.

Here's the part that I had to replace to fix the Airbag error.


Here are the most recent photos of the exterior of the car.



Those two photos aren't great, as they were taken first thing in the morning, and there's condensation on the car. The roof of the car is SIGNIFICANTLY better looking than it was before. I'm pretty happy with how I improved that. The rear fender still isn't perfect, but a far cry better than what I started with.

I still need some touch-up paint in a few spots. I'll probably try a little bondo too sometime, but when the weather is better for it.

Still to do: Getting the seats and door interior panels all to match.

Future Project: Add a 120/240VAC Power Inverter to run from the car and power my house in a blackout.

[MetroMPG]

Nice going, Ben.



I meant to ask about airbag problems when I saw the pic of the seat out of the car. I assumed it had a side airbag in it.



Some cars will throw a code if you simply power them up with an airbag disconnected.

[California98Civic]

"Peak ecomodder." Lol. And so true.

[rmay635703]

Next project

Weld volts bumper solid to the unibody and add trailer hitch for

[bennelson]

Yes, I still want to add a hitch to this car.

I still haven't upgraded the interior so that all the door interior panels and seats match. (Been busy with other things.)

Overall, the car drives well. The heated steering wheel is really nice in the winter.

I like how the back seats fold down dead flat (when the butt cushions are removed.)

Kinda wish it was a different color. Off-silver is a very blah color.

Love the power locks, timer feature for charging, leather seats, heated seats, good navigation, great stereo (rips CDs.), and "Sport Mode".

The few things I don't like about it are similar to the negatives of the Prius.
Some bad sight-lines. Thick A-pillars. Weirdly slanted windshield. Poor visibility out the back.

Overall so far, it's been a very good car at a great price.

Pretty good cargo room too. I can fit a Nissan Leaf drivetrain in the back!