The new news 24 thread

[Jazoli]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Weirdly, the new one has 1 brown wire and 1 brown and yellow, the loom on the car has one brown and one blue.  Plus where it plugs into the connection under the seat, there's 2 extra wires that go somewhere else.

I tried both formats but neither worked, unless you need Tech 2 to the lamp off again. That's where the 75 is great as the airbag light goes off as soon as you've fixed the fault (squeezed the connectors together under the seat 😅)

You will probably need to clear the codes before the light goes off, any decent scantool should do it as long as it can read airbag modules, a delphi will I'm sure.

[Split_Pin]

There's a boy 10 minutes away that has Tech 2 who's going to scan it for me to see what's what first.

I've seen a Topdon Smartdiag Mini Bluetooth reader on ebay which looks pretty comprehensive although the subscription options after the first (free) year look confusing.

I'm a bit torn as it's a really clean example that goes very well but because I'm not invested in it, it's too easy to just walk.

[brownnova]

My 9000 got it’s mot retest today, so after 7 months of not using it, it’s back on the road. 

The headteacher was away today so I parked in his spot! 

All is not totally well in 9000 world though, the AC clutch which failed has been disconnected, but the pulley still sounds really rough, although it’s not glowing red hot and is driveable now. So some work will be needed to make it useable! 

[stuboy]

13 hours ago, brownnova said:

My 9000 got it’s mot retest today, so after 7 months of not using it, it’s back on the road. 

The headteacher was away today so I parked in his spot! 

All is not totally well in 9000 world though, the AC clutch which failed has been disconnected, but the pulley still sounds really rough, although it’s not glowing red hot and is driveable now. So some work will be needed to make it useable! 

 

[Vantman]

@brownnova Try this chap for 9000 spares---https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/478760910383943/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ab4484646-3228-409a-9557-653b3d9449a9

[wuvvum]

Not got as much done on the fleet over the last couple of days as I'd been hoping as the weather really hasn't been conducive to being outside, but still managed a few odd bits. 

The fuel pump on the 75 now has a switch to turn it on and off, and a more appropriate gauge of wire running to the pump itself.  It also now has an inline fuse - I borrowed the wire that runs down the nearside of the car to the towbar bypass relay, I'm not going to be towing anything with the car any time soon.

I also got the bottom ball joint bolt out, and after a liberal dousing in GT85 the ball joint moved with only moderate whacks from the lump hammer.  I also got the hub nut cracked off (which involved jumping up and down on the 2' breaker bar, it was bloody tight) and the track rod end nut undone - to my surprise despite being rusty as feck this came undone quite easily, I didn't even have to resort to holding the ball joint in place with an Allen key.  So in theory it should now be a relatively quick job to get the strut off to change the spring - I didn't attempt it today because it was far too bastarding cold this morning and by the time it finally started to warm up mid afternoon I'd decided I couldn't be arsed.

I also had a bit of a play with the Volvo - checked the ignition side of things and the points were barely opening, so I reset the gap but that didn't really do anything to help the running.  I tried substituting the old electric pump in the place of the new mechanical pump but that didn't help either - that was also a bit of a daft thing to do as when I took the plugs out for a look (which I should have done first) they were all soaking wet, so there's definitely no problem with fuel getting through.

So I've taken the carbs off, which wasn't too bad of a job - there was one mounting nut which was an utter pain in the arse to get to but nothing was seized and everything came apart pretty easily.  One evening next week when I've got a bit more mojo I'm going to strip them down on the dining table (the joys of being single) and see what's what.  I may still be barking up the wrong tree of course thinking it's carb-related, but my diagnostic skills are somewhat limited and I can't afford to start playing parts darts, not with the price of old Volvo spares...

[Split_Pin]

I've calmed down a bit now with the Saab 😅 hopefully I can get a new drivers seat loom or even a complete seat if the loom doesn't unplug.

Don't post when you've been fiddling with the car for 2 hours, with no success.

[grogee]

10 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I've calmed down a bit now with the Saab 😅 hopefully I can get a new drivers seat loom or even a complete seat if the loom doesn't unplug.

Don't post when you've been fiddling with the car for 2 hours, with no success.

I can get a pic of my loom if it helps? Is it a 9-5? Also I have tech 2 and I'm in Midlands, although in Devon this weekend. Anyway happy to help once we're back after Monday

[grogee]

This is our view from our bedroom window this morning, we've got two nights. We come most years back to the same place, lovely owners and spotless cottage. Invariably, the weather is grey and cold!

Seeing Mother Grogee this morning then off to football this afternoon. 

The Alfa indicated a healthy 48mpg on the way down, including at least one DPF regen that I noticed (the instantaneous MPG plummets, but it's otherwise unnoticeable). Good to know it's DPF-ing though, I'm not sure it gets much of a chance when Mrs Grogee trundles to work and back. 

Mrs Grogee's birthday today, she seems pleased with gifts and breakfast was crossiants so we're doing well so far. 

[stuboy]

Oh looking at the Rickman as checking what wiring needed for replacing headlights and front chasis legs need looking at ..

[wuvvum]

I wouldn't have expected a kit car of that age to have a cat on it.

[paulplom]

Agreed in principle to buy this with a nearly full mot for £650. I'm going tomorrow to give it a good check over. I'll give it to fil to use till the boy passes his test at the end of the year. It doesn't look too bad but it does have one rusty wing. I wonder if they bolt on.

[Zelandeth]

Yep, wings bolt on.  Keep an eye on the oil level as some seem to like a drink and make sure the clutch cable is properly adjusted so it doesn't cook the release bearing.

Other than that they're pretty bulletproof little motors.

[Yoss]

Mrs Yoss is attending some sort of vintage jumble sale type thing at one of these vintage* places you find on industrial estates. She wanted to arrive in style so naturally wanted to take the Favorit. It wasn't that dirty but did have a  big sooty black puff all over the front where it had been parked behind the Triumph. 

I foolishly thought I'd give it a quick wash before she left despite waking up to find it was - 2 outside. I tried the hose more out off hope than expectation and sure enough it was frozen solid. So I just filled the bucket with hot shampooy water then sponged it on and chamoised it off but even then it was turning back to ice before I could chamois it off. 

I've just rung her and she's made about £150 so far so I hope it was worth it. I realise she would have made the same with a dirty car but I wanted it to be clean if it's on display to the public. Sort of. 

[Split_Pin]

I went to Upullit in Inverkeithing this morning as they had 2 Saab 93 Convertibles in.

I managed to extract the seat loom from the car, it was a right old war as I not only had to remove the seat but also dismantle the actual seat itself. I wanted to get to each plug rather than cut the loom. At least now I can see how things come apart.

So one nice uncut, undamaged driver seat loom and it was only a tenner. 

I also scored a new aerial to replace the burst one on mine.

[puddlethumper]

1 hour ago, wuvvum said:

I wouldn't have expected a kit car of that age to have a cat on it.

Probably an after market addition.

[MJK 24]

On 3/29/2022 at 8:25 PM, camryv6 said:

Believe it or not the new tyres are supposed to be on the back, so the back doesn't break away, and tyre pressures and torqueing wheels should be standard practice.

I understand this to be true.  But virtually all your braking is done at the front so I usually ignore this pearl or wisdom and put the new tyres on the front too.

[Fumbler]

Shit, I've just realised that I've now had the BX for one whole year.

[Jazoli]

Gave the old bus a valet and polish today

still shines up nicely for a 20 year old car, I'm actually quite happy to have a silver car for a change as they require a lot less polishing than a black or 'colour'

[Split_Pin]

Looks well indeed how are you getting on with it?

[Jazoli]

18 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Looks well indeed how are you getting on with it?

Its pretty nice and I'm happy enough, I've had to do a few jobs such as replace the wiper motor, fix a few electrical niggles (airbag light, dodgy bulb connections) and service it but other than that its running well, it could do with a suspension refresh as it's a bit baggy but it has done 180k, a full set of arms/TRE's and ball joints is only £150 so I'll do it once it's proved itself.

It's like getting into an old armchair, it's just so comfortable and smooth, I'm just wafting around listening to the excellent dolby sound system, I had a look at the average mpg the other day and won't look again 😅 but as I'm doing so few miles it hardly matters.

Its nice to have a practical car again, I managed to take a king size bed to the tip last weekend, no chance of that happening in the Saab, I'll probably run it till it breaks although I'll be getting the FiL's S80 soon which will leave me with a dilemma.

[N19]

I was trying one of those drill brush contraptions to see how much muck was in the Mondeo carpet...

I'll file that under "lots". Need to attack it properly with a wet vac!

[paulplom]

5 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Yep, wings bolt on.  Keep an eye on the oil level as some seem to like a drink and make sure the clutch cable is properly adjusted so it doesn't cook the release bearing.

Other than that they're pretty bulletproof little motors.

Cheers.

I've got a '61 pug 107. I have a pretty good idea what to look for. Our clutch seems to bite high as it happens. I haven't investigated yet though.

Fil's '02 S80 D5 will be sold cheap I've heard. Just passed it's mot and ahad a service last week. Towbar too iirc. A bit rough and ready but would make a decent work horse with a massive boot. 40+ mpg too.

Scrap value may buy it. I'll keep up to date if anyone's interested.

[loserone]

1 hour ago, paulplom said:

Fil's '02 S80 D5 will be sold cheap I've heard. Just passed it's mot and ahad a service last week. Towbar too iirc. A bit rough and ready but would make a decent work horse with a massive boot. 40+ mpg too.

Scrap value may buy it. I'll keep up to date if anyone's interested.

👀

[wuvvum]

51 minutes ago, loserone said:

👀

Ditto.

[Ghosty]

Silver Civic has been returned to standard and sold to a friend, who is over the moon with it.
Just been to pick up a pair of rear arms for the coupe, that I managed to get for free from a Honda Facebook group. They also turned out to be the closest ones I was offered, in Macclesfield. They came complete with brakes, hoses, handbrake cables, and unfucked trailing arm bushes! 
The sedan is going in for paint on Tuesday - I've just fitted a new thermostat to it, as the old one was stuck open. Further, I've taken off the vinyl coachline, added some new speakers and other little bits. 
I've ordered new discs and pads for it as the brakes feel a bit weak and there's some vibration in the pedal sometimes - ECP had Pagid discs for a tenner a pair. I also ordered it a new radiator as the one in there is the original Denso part, and all the fins are rotten and there's a hole in the corner where they've all fallen out. 

[stuboy]

22 hours ago, wuvvum said:

I wouldn't have expected a kit car of that age to have a cat on it.

hes a lovely puddy tat

[Popsicle]

@Bren pics of our XP Vectra as promised.

Screwfix's no nonsense wash and wax was thrown over it with the pressure washer this afternoon as it was filthy. It's a bit rough round the edges but we picked it up with 82k on it and its now on 191k and still running pretty good. Don't look anywhere as nice and shiny as yours though!

Did the van while I was at it too.

Mrs Popsicle loves sticking stickers on things for the full on chav look.

[wuvvum]

Well that was a frustrating day.  I got the strut off the Rover - that wasn't too bad a job, I had to break out the ball joint splitter to get the track rod end out of the hub carrier (so that's going to need a new boot) but the only thing that really gave me hassle was the ABS sensor - I got the completely fucked bolt undone with the aid of my knock-off Irwin set but the sensor itself wouldn't come out of the hub for love nor money - I tried prising it out with a screwdriver, getting a pair of mole grips on it and wiggling it, all that happened was that it broke - I'm hoping that the sensor bit still works as otherwise it's going to be fun* getting the remains out to fit a new one.  In the end I unplugged the wiring in the engine bay and pulled the whole wire off with the strut.

The old spring came out easily enough with the compressors, but getting the new spring in proved to be quite a mission.  There was no way of getting the spring compressed enough to fit - if I grabbed two coils with the compressors then it wouldn't pull the spring down anywhere near far enough, but if I grabbed three coils then due to the shape of the spring and the strut there was no way of doing it without one or both of the compressors fouling on something.  I must have wound that fucking spring in and out half a dozen times - my arms were completely knackered by the end of the afternoon.  I ended up taking it up to a mate's this evening and with his compressors as well as mine, and a bit of help from a pry bar, we were able to wangle it in by about 11pm...

Reassembly will hopefully be the reverse of removal, although I'm not looking forward to refitting the strut - it's a heavy bastard to lift with the hub carrier still attached...

[SiC]

20 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I managed to extract the seat loom from the car, it was a right old war as I not only had to remove the seat but also dismantle the actual seat itself. I wanted to get to each plug rather than cut the loom. At least now I can see how things come apart.

I'd probably have taken the sensor while I was there too, in case that is faulty. Not sure if they're polarity sensitive but if they are and the loom connections were swapped at some point, it may have been damaged.