Dollywobbler's Dead Rover 600 - Replacement sorted

[richardmorris]

I'm limited to Citroen! The c3 supposedly only does MW but will get to 198. Mind you, given current England performance on the wicket perhaps it's not a great loss!

My BILs stepfather has a Saab that we managed to tune to TMS on MW too.

 

That's my experience of moderns to be fair. My DAB is great though- R5xtra!

[Split_Pin]

Sounds like quite an adventurous collection mission and quite stressful from sitting in traffic in an unknown car!

[dollywobbler]

  On 12/08/2016 at 20:34, IainL said:

Sounds like quite an adventurous collection mission and quite stressful from sitting in traffic in an unknown car!

 

Philibusmo has entirely outdone me though...

[Skizzer]

Very fine purchase. I'd sort of forgotten about these somehow. My loss though as they're definitely one of the few good looking cars from the styling nadir that was the mid 90s, at least in my world. Would.

[Honey Badger]

For a free petrol cap, just go and ask at any petrol station if they have a Rover one in the bucket of lost caps under the till. Worked for me in my R8.

[Rocket88]

No gentleman can drive a car that does not have access to LW.....................................

[Split_Pin]

^^ agree on that one, I liked listening to Radio 4 on 198.

[oldcars]

Indicator fell out of my 75 wing as well. There is a metal clip that seems to rust out at the front.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

  On 13/08/2016 at 06:54, colc said:

No gentleman can drive a car that does not have access to Radio 4.....................................

 

ftfy.

 

I thoroughly enjoy the Afternoon Drama at 1.15, after The Archers. Yesterdays episode "the tunnel' was exceptionally good.

[dollywobbler]

There has been progress. I could have taken any of our four working vehicles to go and get milk for breakfast, but no, I had to fix my Rover!

 

Firstly, the indicator bulb. I was having no luck threading magnets in through the indicator hole, and testing a magnet on another bulb confirmed why. Aluminium! So, I looked at taking the entire headlamp off. I suspect you need to drop the front bumper to achieve this. Time for plan C, which worked a treat!

 

That's high-tack aluminium tape on the end of a screwdriver. I still had to undo the screenwash filler neck and move it out of the way. Job jobbed! So, was the bulb blown or had it fallen out of the holder somehow?

 

That seems pretty conclusive. It had somehow fallen out. It is back in and working.

 

Then I 'fixed' the side indicator with Blu tack. May need a better solution.

 

Flushed with success, I fired her up and, as I waited for the glow plugs, noted the fact that the airbag light had not illuminated. That'll be something to address before the MOT is up in October.

 

It certainly passed the 'morning after' test though. It's a good test of a vehicle. If you drive it 200 miles one day, how do you feel about getting back into it again the next? Happy is the answer. Ace.

 

Next stage is to get the heater blower motor out so I can check where power is/isn't reaching. Wish me luck!

[purplebargeken]

This is potentially a very excellent car.

 

Look forward to the next fettling installment. 

[Eddie Honda]

  On 13/08/2016 at 10:00, dollywobbler said:

noted the fact that the airbag light had not illuminated. That'll be something to address before the MOT is up in October.

 

 

Oi! Dollywobbler! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Right, I've calmed down now.

 

A number of these airbag/SRS warning light conversations have cropped up and a number of times the myth has been put to bed. As I was fairly sure it had come up in one of your threads before, I looked back, and yes, there was talk about it in your RAV4 thread.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/24606-dollywobblers-j-tin-dreams-rav4/?p=1007081

http://autoshite.com/topic/25142-citroen-airbag-light-mot-fail/?p=1033874

 

So address it if you wish, but it won't have a bearing on the test.

[rantingYoof]

Sounds like it has proper character. Or Rover build quality. I much prefer the former.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

  On 13/08/2016 at 10:15, Eddie Honda said:

 

Oi! Dollywobbler! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Right, I've calmed down now.

 

A number of these airbag/SRS warning light conversations have cropped up and a number of times the myth has been put to bed. As I was fairly sure it had come up in one of your threads before, I looked back, and yes, there was talk about it in your RAV4 thread.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/24606-dollywobblers-j-tin-dreams-rav4/?p=1007081

http://autoshite.com/topic/25142-citroen-airbag-light-mot-fail/?p=1033874

 

So address it if you wish, but it won't have a bearing on the test.

 

This is a bit different as I can clearly see an SRS lamp on the dashboard. 

[Eddie Honda]

Yes, but if it's not lit then it's not indicating a fault....doesn't matter if the bloke can see the words on the unilluminated dash lamp.

[Eddie Honda]

On the other hand, if an ABS warning light doesn't initially illuminate and go out, that's another matter.

[egg]

Yep, my Mondeo passed with airbag unplugged and no light

[dollywobbler]

There we are then.

 

Right, heater. I've pulled the heater motor out. The blades go around by hand. Got the multimeter out, and I can't see power getting to the resistor board, so I think that rules that out. If it had gone, I'd expect the fastest speed setting to work ok, so I'm not sure why I bothered. 

 

So, I think the relay(s) could be the problem. Fuse seems ok. I've located some likely looking fuses, but cannot release them from the board - which is wedged up the side of the driver's footwell. It is an UTTER ARSE to get at, but try as I might, the most likely looking relay will not budge. The others don't seem very keen on moving either. So, slightly at a loss about what to do at the moment. Maybe I'll try bodging a wire to the heater motor to see if it then operates.

[Lacquer Peel]

CLASS. Looking forward to a drive video.

[dollywobbler]

Clearly, I'm shit at electrics. Couldn't get the relays out so, as I'd already got the fan blower unit out, though I might as well have a poke about. Gave the fan a spin by hand. Quite stiff. Turned on the fan switch and it kept going. Switched to five and steadily got faster. And faster. There we are then!

 

Got it all back together, and it's still working fine. I suspect a new blower motor will be needed at some point, but I'll try regular fan use until then. The air con doesn't feel all that cold - hard to tell as it's not exactly tropical here today. Whether I can find somewhere to regas it before Wednesday remains to be seen, though there's always the option of trying to find somewhere on our way to Sussex (stopover before France). Of course, a heatwave strikes on Tuesday, so that may not be easy...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

  On 13/08/2016 at 11:35, dollywobbler said:

There we are then.

 

Right, heater. I've pulled the heater motor out. The blades go around by hand. Got the multimeter out, and I can't see power getting to the resistor board, so I think that rules that out. If it had gone, I'd expect the fastest speed setting to work ok, so I'm not sure why I bothered. 

 

So, I think the relay(s) could be the problem. Fuse seems ok. I've located some likely looking fuses, but cannot release them from the board - which is wedged up the side of the driver's footwell. It is an UTTER ARSE to get at, but try as I might, the most likely looking relay will not budge. The others don't seem very keen on moving either. So, slightly at a loss about what to do at the moment. Maybe I'll try bodging a wire to the heater motor to see if it then operates.

 

 

Do that with an unfused Halfords toggle switch on the dash for top bodging points and kudos.

[Timewaster]

  On 13/08/2016 at 08:21, The Reverend Bluejeans said:

ftfy.

 

I thoroughly enjoy the Afternoon Drama at 1.15, after The Archers. Yesterdays episode "the tunnel' was exceptionally good.

At 1:15? I think not dear boy. That would be TWAO.

 

No wonder they never did a show called The World at Two.

[dollywobbler]

I really like this car. Mrs DW is now in agreement having had a ride in it, though she has recommended avoiding potholes. I think she is quite right.

[BorniteIdentity]

  On 13/08/2016 at 15:50, Timewaster said:

At 1:15? I think not dear boy. That would be TWAO.

 

No wonder they never did a show called The World at Two.

And for top radio anorak pedantry points... It's abbreviated to WATO. (World AT One)

 

I know. Makes little sense.

 

Car looks good. To be honest I'd never really thought of one. I did enjoy my 6 months behind the wheel of a 75 though so WOULD.

[dollywobbler]

  On 13/08/2016 at 18:08, BorniteIdentity said:

Car looks good. To be honest I'd never really thought of one. I did enjoy my 6 months behind the wheel of a 75 though so WOULD.

 

I'm going to say it. I reckon it's FAR better than a 75. Far more simple, far lower with a far better engine. Previous owner has had several 75s and reckoned every one constantly had niggly faults. The boot always filled up with water too. I've always liked the Rondas though. Not sure quite how it's taken me so long to own a 600 though, because I always considered them the most attractive of the Rondas. 

[richardmorris]

https://youtu.be/ldD9Vg1izy0

[vulgalour]

I'm wondering if your suspension woes are actually knackered shocks, it's got the miles on it to warrant it.

[dollywobbler]

I suspect it's more to do with Honda forcing Rover to use its double-wishbone, short-travel suspension. In many ways, it reminds me of the old Civic I used to own and, to a lesser degree, the Prelude (it's still more comfortable than that was over bumps). Body control is very impressive though. It's a great car to drive quickly. Doesn't feel as front-heavy as the XM always managed to.

 

Luke Dugong's Piazza, it just doesn't feel turbocharged either. It pulled sweetly from 1000rpm at one point yesterday. Let's see if I still love it after 1200 miles to France and back. Prace bets now! It's on 6000 miles a year. I must make use of the other vehicles on the fleet when I'm back...

[ayrshirelad]

This is my 618is. Got him form evil bay last August from Nottingham. £150.0. Since then timing belt service new shockers starter motor couple of months ago and today a battery. Apart form insurance cost, loving mine. None of the classic so called speclists will insure said car on a multi car as a daily. Aviva quote me £999.but Admiral blew that out of the water by coming in at £1318. That is with 5 years ncd. Why are 75s which are younger allowed on classic policies and not 600s. Shockers came from Germany £88 delivered locally more than the cost of the car plus vat each!. our ride problem is probally the rear shockers not doing much apart form looking aok. Had same problem with indacator repeater. Mines stuck in with sealent.Wouldnt part with mine now. Good luck with yours. 

[Ghosty]

  On 13/08/2016 at 18:20, vulgalour said:

I'm wondering if your suspension woes are actually knackered shocks, it's got the miles on it to warrant it.

 

Can vouch for this, the A4 had collapsed suspension that was cleverly covered up with incorrect springs when we bought it.