The new news 24 thread

[Mr Pastry]

53 minutes ago, Lankytim said:

Theres no indicator tell tale but there is one for the hazard warning lights..

Also there’s no main beam tell tale on the dashboard. I’m not sure if it needs one at this age.. 

An audible warning is acceptable for the indicators.

Not sure on the age for the main beam light, I don't think it was ever officially  fitted to UK cars.   But you will find all the wiring already in place behind the dash for any missing warning lights.  Citroen used the same loom for all models, but did not necessarily connect everything.  

This is a useful diagram, although it doesn't show the rear fog which was an odd UK market fitment.  Its switch would be fed from the green cable coming out of the lighting switch.  The relay cluster which the green cable goes into is the dim/dip control, not always fitted, and a Bad Thing, now usually disconnected.

 

[Joey spud]

1 hour ago, Jazoli said:

They are useful but really a bodge as the gas capacity is done by weight not pressure, I’ve used them myself but as it’s usually only a few quid more to use a proper machine I tend to do that these days.

Yeah it's a bodge but i couldn't be asked with going to a fast fit and loosing the will to live...

[Jazoli]

57 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

I went to ats with a voucher once and told the guy up front it was a blind test and sadly my system leaks it somewhere (sure the guy said the evaporator?) 

Haven't investigated any more but with the sun shining as it is today I do wonder if I should... 

Can you get diy leak testing kits? 

Yes you can but sometimes it’s just easier to get a garage with the proper kit to sort it in my experience.

[Lankytim]

1 hour ago, richardmorris said:

Fog light is only supposed to work on dipped beam. It must have a tell tale light, but the main beam doesn’t have to have one.

 

if the indicator works but the hazards don’t then it will be the switch itself.

The hazard only does something with the ignition on, and then it just illuminates the tell tale but that’s it. I removed and stripped the switch and all looks fine inside. It was working fine earlier on today, but then everything has been dormant for 20 plus years so there’s bound to be issues to work through. 

1 hour ago, Mr Pastry said:

An audible warning is acceptable for the indicators.

Not sure on the age for the main beam light, I don't think it was ever officially  fitted to UK cars.   But you will find all the wiring already in place behind the dash for any missing warning lights.  Citroen used the same loom for all models, but did not necessarily connect everything.  

This is a useful diagram, although it doesn't show the rear fog which was an odd UK market fitment.  Its switch would be fed from the green cable coming out of the lighting switch.  The relay cluster which the green cable goes into is the dim/dip control, not always fitted, and a Bad Thing, now usually disconnected.

 

The fog is now working fine so long as the dipped headlights are on.  The lack of a main beam telltale is a known issue apparently, some testers will fail it and there’s a note from the DVSA (or whoever it is) advising that it was never fitted when new and should only be recorded as an advisory. If the wiring it already there for a tell tale I might add one for piece of mind. The hole is already present but blanked off. 

[richardmorris]

24 minutes ago, Lankytim said:

The hazard only does something with the ignition on, and then it just illuminates the tell tale but that’s it. I removed and stripped the switch and all looks fine inside. It was working fine earlier on today, but then everything has been dormant for 20 plus years so there’s bound to be issues to work through. 

The fog is now working fine so long as the dipped headlights are on.  The lack of a main beam telltale is a known issue apparently, some testers will fail it and there’s a note from the DVSA (or whoever it is) advising that it was never fitted when new and should only be recorded as an advisory. If the wiring it already there for a tell tale I might add one for piece of mind. The hole is already present but blanked off. 

I have a blue main beam and green indicator lamps on mine from a GS. As you said the wiring is there and probably saved Citroen £1. 2cvgb worked hard to get the main beam telltale issue recorded on the official mot tester notes.  It is not a fail, but they may need some encouragement to read the notes. I’d still think the hazard switch is faulty.

 

[RoverFolkUs]

After 2 faultless years it would appear the Xsara Picasso has decided it's time for a small mischief. 

[stuboy]

7 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

After 2 faultless years it would appear the Xsara Picasso has decided it's time for a small mischief. 

hot day, it was just sweating...

[vulgalour]

Got a job interview on Sunday morning, trouble is it's about twice as far away as I thought it was going to be.  I'm not sure if this is because I got my addresses muddled when applying, or because they're doing applications at one store for all other stores in the area.  Sixty mile round trip and I have to do it in the Princess and don't especially want to.  I'm pretty sure the car will be fine with it, especially since I'm avoiding the motorway route as I'd rather not push my luck at the moment, but I'm not sure it's going to do me any favours.  It's been a bit toasty here lately and I've not only got no air con, the rod that controls the fresh air flaps in the cabin has fallen off because TADTS and I have untinted glass so I may have to introduce myself as Ms Betty Swallocks when I arrive at the interview.

I'll have a furtle with my flaps tomorrow and see if I can get the hook back on so I've at least got fresh air blasting at my face on the drive.

At least while I was stuck in traffic earlier I got the reassurance that the coolant system is working well.  Temperature guage never went above 3/4 when in stop-start and once on the move it dropped to 1/2 without ever once having to turn the heater on so I'd say that's working as intended.

I'm not loving this looking for a job malarky.  Keeping my eyes on the prize, that being a more reliable income so I can get my own place.  I'm probably going to have to get a more modern car too, the Princess needs too many jobs attending to for me to really feel comfortable pressing it into commuter duty at the moment.  I'm not even sure I can get commuter cover on insurance due to the age of the Princess, I know some insurers won't offer it if your car is over 30 years old and the Princess is 44 now.  I do have a friend willing to loan me 20 year old Rover, so that should do the trick if I need it until I can get something cheap and cheerful of my own should I need it.

 

[Rust Collector]

I finished up my last day in my current job today. It’s been a pretty shit couple of weeks trying to wrap up the launch of a new system but hopefully I’ve left things on an even keel. I was given loads of beer, gin and cash as a leaving gift which was nice. I’m sad to leave my friends there, but I definitely needed some change so I’m fairly certain I made the right choice.

Tomorrow I need to go buy some shirts, ties, trousers, jacket and shoes for my one day a week in the new office. It’s like first day at big boy school again.

Today was also the birthday of my late friend, so when I when I went to get ice for the gin I took his Land Rover so that on the way back I could park up at the beach and drink a bottle of coke like we used to do together. I thought it might be cathartic to try and talk like he was there, as we’d spend hours chatting some nights and he always made me feel better about the difficulties that pop up in life, but instead I choked up and just cried in the car for a bit. It’s got to be more than two years he’s been gone now but I still really miss him.

Couldn’t have been a nicer evening for sitting in the car blubbing though.

[High Jetter]

44 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

Got a job interview on Sunday morning, trouble is it's about twice as far away as I thought it was going to be.  I'm not sure if this is because I got my addresses muddled when applying, or because they're doing applications at one store for all other stores in the area.  Sixty mile round trip and I have to do it in the Princess and don't especially want to.  I'm pretty sure the car will be fine with it, especially since I'm avoiding the motorway route as I'd rather not push my luck at the moment, but I'm not sure it's going to do me any favours.  It's been a bit toasty here lately and I've not only got no air con, the rod that controls the fresh air flaps in the cabin has fallen off because TADTS and I have untinted glass so I may have to introduce myself as Ms Betty Swallocks when I arrive at the interview.

I'll have a furtle with my flaps tomorrow and see if I can get the hook back on so I've at least got fresh air blasting at my face on the drive.

At least while I was stuck in traffic earlier I got the reassurance that the coolant system is working well.  Temperature guage never went above 3/4 when in stop-start and once on the move it dropped to 1/2 without ever once having to turn the heater on so I'd say that's working as intended.

I'm not loving this looking for a job malarky.  Keeping my eyes on the prize, that being a more reliable income so I can get my own place.  I'm probably going to have to get a more modern car too, the Princess needs too many jobs attending to for me to really feel comfortable pressing it into commuter duty at the moment.  I'm not even sure I can get commuter cover on insurance due to the age of the Princess, I know some insurers won't offer it if your car is over 30 years old and the Princess is 44 now.  I do have a friend willing to loan me 20 year old Rover, so that should do the trick if I need it until I can get something cheap and cheerful of my own should I need it.

 

I'd say do the interview anyway, see what comes of it - and good experience

[High Jetter]

33 minutes ago, Rust Collector said:

finished up my last day in my current job today. It’s been a pretty shit couple of weeks trying to wrap up the launch of a new system but hopefully I’ve left things on an even keel. I was given loads of beer, gin and cash as a leaving gift which was nice. I’m sad to leave my friends there, but I definitely needed some change so I’m fairly certain I made the right choice.

That's a wrench? Hot off the press, what's next?

[Zelandeth]

If the skies are clear whenever you are...might be worth a look up.

Aurora visible in May from as far south as Milton Keynes, that I wouldn't have ever expected!

[LightBulbFun]

8 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

If the skies are clear whenever you are...might be worth a look up.

Aurora visible in May from as far south as Milton Keynes, that I wouldn't have ever expected!

had a peep just now here in Central London, the skies seem clear to my eye, but I cant see anything sadly

 

looks awesome from your photos tho  wish I could see it!

[ruffgeezer]

We had a quick ride out to get pictures too.

 

[Wibble]

2 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

I finished up my last day in my current job today. It’s been a pretty shit couple of weeks trying to wrap up the launch of a new system but hopefully I’ve left things on an even keel. I was given loads of beer, gin and cash as a leaving gift which was nice. I’m sad to leave my friends there, but I definitely needed some change so I’m fairly certain I made the right choice.

Tomorrow I need to go buy some shirts, ties, trousers, jacket and shoes for my one day a week in the new office. It’s like first day at big boy school again.

Today was also the birthday of my late friend, so when I when I went to get ice for the gin I took his Land Rover so that on the way back I could park up at the beach and drink a bottle of coke like we used to do together. I thought it might be cathartic to try and talk like he was there, as we’d spend hours chatting some nights and he always made me feel better about the difficulties that pop up in life, but instead I choked up and just cried in the car for a bit. It’s got to be more than two years he’s been gone now but I still really miss him.

Couldn’t have been a nicer evening for sitting in the car blubbing though.

God bless your friend, he was clearly a good one and God bless you for remembering him in this way.

[JJ0063]

When we moved in to our house, the gate between the house and garage (gate from driveway to back garden) was a really flimsy trellis type thing that was too big for the gap. Over the past year and a bit living here it’s gradually fallen apart a bit more each time I open it so I gave in and bought a new one in Wickes yesterday. 
 

Not a clue what I’m doing, just followed what looked right*
 

Have I fucked anything up here? It seems to function fine so I’m happy enough.

[Rust Collector]

10 hours ago, High Jetter said:

That's a wrench? Hot off the press, what's next?

I’m finally off to the county council - it’s taken about 3 months to go through the DBS checks and other vetting! I’m looking forward to it. Look out for me driving into eastbourne once a week in one of my shitters 😅

[vulgalour]

11 hours ago, High Jetter said:

I'd say do the interview anyway, see what comes of it - and good experience

I double checked, the vacancy is actually in Brigg which is about 7 miles from home, so they must just be doing the interviews all at one store, probably because not all stores have a suitable room.  Even if it wasn't I would have gone for the experience anyway, it's been a long time since I did an interview so it would be good practice.  Still not looking forward to it like, it's going to be a sweaty drive!  Did have me keeping half an eye on the beater market for something modern and spotted this interesting thing over on the blue.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/226569/renault-megane-alize-classic-yorkshire

Not for me at the moment, but maybe for one of you lot?  Seems a reasonable proposition and a Megane of that age with a boot has to be a bit of a rarity.

[Stinkwheel]

Lovely day to get the Dyane out and the roof back I think. Destination the beach 

[MorrisItalSLX]

13 hours ago, vulgalour said:

Got a job interview on Sunday morning, trouble is it's about twice as far away as I thought it was going to be.  I'm not sure if this is because I got my addresses muddled when applying, or because they're doing applications at one store for all other stores in the area.  Sixty mile round trip and I have to do it in the Princess and don't especially want to.  I'm pretty sure the car will be fine with it, especially since I'm avoiding the motorway route as I'd rather not push my luck at the moment, but I'm not sure it's going to do me any favours.  It's been a bit toasty here lately and I've not only got no air con, the rod that controls the fresh air flaps in the cabin has fallen off because TADTS and I have untinted glass so I may have to introduce myself as Ms Betty Swallocks when I arrive at the interview.

I'll have a furtle with my flaps tomorrow and see if I can get the hook back on so I've at least got fresh air blasting at my face on the drive.

At least while I was stuck in traffic earlier I got the reassurance that the coolant system is working well.  Temperature guage never went above 3/4 when in stop-start and once on the move it dropped to 1/2 without ever once having to turn the heater on so I'd say that's working as intended.

I'm not loving this looking for a job malarky.  Keeping my eyes on the prize, that being a more reliable income so I can get my own place.  I'm probably going to have to get a more modern car too, the Princess needs too many jobs attending to for me to really feel comfortable pressing it into commuter duty at the moment.  I'm not even sure I can get commuter cover on insurance due to the age of the Princess, I know some insurers won't offer it if your car is over 30 years old and the Princess is 44 now.  I do have a friend willing to loan me 20 year old Rover, so that should do the trick if I need it until I can get something cheap and cheerful of my own should I need it.

 

Drive to interview in a t-shirt and swap into your nice shirt when you get there (best not done in the carpark of prospective employer, obvs).

[Lankytim]

17 hours ago, richardmorris said:

I have a blue main beam and green indicator lamps on mine from a GS. As you said the wiring is there and probably saved Citroen £1. 2cvgb worked hard to get the main beam telltale issue recorded on the official mot tester notes.  It is not a fail, but they may need some encouragement to read the notes. I’d still think the hazard switch is faulty.

 

I was *sure* the hazard switch was serviceable, taking it to bits and holding the terminals together resulted in working hazard lights. No matter how much bending and reassembly of contacts I tried it just won’t work and I think now it’s past the point of no return with multiple wonky copper bits. New switch it is! 

[SiC]

Saw this on the side of the road near home. Cut out on the junction that goes onto a busy 40mph road. Exactly the same place my Spitfire did the same. 

Chap reckoned it was the fan belt that was loose and it got too hot. Tbh it was pretty floppy. 

He didn't have many tools on hand as left them in his van and forgot to take them back out. Car lives in his in-laws garage away from he lives. 

It's his wife's late fathers car so has quite a bit of emotional attachment. She admitted that he didn't really ever do maintenance on it. Very original though.

Anyway I've been in this situation and it's shit. So I offered if they needed to borrow any tools. Obviously very grateful. 

Gave them a hand, she started right up and drove away. Hopefully they'll get there but left my number if they need any tools or a hand again to get it back.

That's enough excitement for day. Now to cut the grass and tidy the garage! Both things I've been putting off...

[ProgRocker]

Today I have come here to drive a car!

[320touring]

TWIXFEST PRE MINE BRIEFING

 

[Stanky]

2 hours ago, 320touring said:

TWIXFEST PRE MINE BRIEFING

 

No running, no bombing, no heavy petting?

[richardmorris]

5 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

When we moved in to our house, the gate between the house and garage (gate from driveway to back garden) was a really flimsy trellis type thing that was too big for the gap. Over the past year and a bit living here it’s gradually fallen apart a bit more each time I open it so I gave in and bought a new one in Wickes yesterday. 
 

Not a clue what I’m doing, just followed what looked right*
 

Have I fucked anything up here? It seems to function fine so I’m happy enough.

Well if it fits and doesn’t fall off I’d call it a success.

[Matts_Rusty_Bus]

2 hours ago, ProgRocker said:

Today I have come here to drive a car!

I'll take the MK1 astra please 

[High Jetter]

6 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Have I fucked anything up here? It seems to function fine so I’m happy enough.

Slightly unconventional positioning of the non-hinge post, but I guess that's to accommodate a standard width gate. As said, if it works as a gate it's all good - but would point out that it possibly could be unbolted from the outside

[High Jetter]

6 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

I’m finally off to the county council - it’s taken about 3 months to go through the DBS checks and other vetting! I’m looking forward to it. Look out for me driving into eastbourne once a week in one of my shitters 😅

I'll keep an eye out. What are you doing for ESCC?

[junkyarddog]

Nice day for it.