-165,000 miles
-Air conditioner (fan blows, but do not hear compressor activate), heater (fan blows), cruise control (dashboard switch does not light up, if in fact it is supposed to), and windshield washer pump (do not hear pump nor does water spray on windshield) does not work.
-intermittent rattling sound from something under the hood (not the engine), sounds like lightly shaking a can of empty spray paint.

Just got my car and my preliminary evaluation reflected the above problems. I do need to check every fuse, under the dash and hood for positive confirmation.

I'm going to a pull a part sale at a salvage yard soon, and getting a replacement Bose radio and speakers, and cosmetic items for my car. In that I don't know the mileage on the host car, I'm thinking that the parts that I have listed above, being in excess of twenty years of age, are probably worthless, unless I find, that one or more are replacement parts.

I welcome any suggestions to better my pull a part venture.

Thanks, BA

 

I wouldn't waste your time trying to find a Bose radio and speakers at the junkyard. Most all of the Bose units/speakers on the 3rd gen go out long before the car does, so you're in for a real uphill battle trying to find a good working set. Add the fact that you have no way to test them in the field and you're just handicapping yourself.

FYI though the most common failure on the Bose system (assuming the headunit works) is the amps that are located with each speaker.

Honestly you can just replace the entire system with new parts and come out at least on par sound quality wise with the Bose system. Unless you're just a purist and love throwing money at temperamental electronics, there's really no advantage to trying to keep the Bose.

Though, if you want to keep the Bose, there are (at least as of a few years ago) online places that sell/rebuild Bose amp setups but they're pretty pricey.

 

Okay, your advice is valued. Thanks, Bryce

 

'Paint can rattle' sitting still at idle or rolling down the road?

 

^what?

 

He was referring to this in the original post:

 

Paint can like rattle is more apparent at idle.