The new news 24 thread

[Pillock]

Some dash cams want permanent live as they record when motion is sensed, just check if you have this feature before switching the supply. I've assumed your a bloke and have not read the instruction book, as we know best anyhow.......

 

If it were me I'd go from the back of the cig lighter.

 

I used one of those piggybacks, works really well. My dashcam is powered through a MiniUSB port, it came with a cig lighter to 5V adaptor. So I binned that off straight away, and use the piggyback to power one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DROK-Converter-Voltage-Parallel-Connector/dp/B00GXXFBC0

 

Means I've got two USBs dangling out of the fuse box in the glovebox, one of which uses a bog standard poundland USB->MicroUSB lead to power the dashcam, and the other I've got a bluetooth audio reciever in that leads to the Aux In of my head unit, as Vauxhall were too stingy to spec proper bluetooth audio streaming on a fuggin' £20k car. However, a high current USB port is never going to go to waste these days.

 

(naturally if you've got a 12V dashcam, you can skip that box of tricks)

 

The tricky part was finding a switched live in the fusebox. Just look for anything that's on with ignition, but try to go for a lower power device - if you go for the heated rear window or something, plus your dashcam, then you might overload the wiring since a HRS is already pulling a lot of current. You could use a blank position for an option your car doesn't have that would be only on with ignition - like a leccy sunroof, or heated seats - but some manufacturers might not have run power to the rear of the fusebox on a lower spec car.

 

I used a blank position for electric rear windows, which in my Astra had the bonus of being "on" even after you take the key out, until you open a door. Turns on with key, turns off with key out + door open. Nice touch, means my camera runs even if I stall the car and restart the engine.

[HMC]

I believe range rover classics have steel inner wings, I have no proof, just thin air and rusty flakes where you would normally expect to find them.....

Been busy carefully removing the rot; which extends to the bulkhead/ footwell panels...

Took plenty of measurements as I went, and have the opposite side to use as reference for fabricating repair sections which ( on the surface) seems a lot more solid. They do sell them off the shelf, but I'm wanting to get more experience fabricating,and the basic shapes lying beneath the ally panels are good practice.

[catsinthewelder]

That all looks very familiar from welding up the Disco 18 months back,  at least the solid bits are nice thick metal and it's mostly square flat bits to weld in.

[phil_lihp]

That does look a bit crusty!  If you ever need a second pair of hands, let me know, I would like to get some experience with welding and bodywork repairs so happy to help out if it's ever required.

[xtriple]

Sorry to hear that Bren. Thoughts are with you.

[stripped fred]

The past couple of months have been really intense & mentally exhausting, so the cars have been neglected. Today, though, I needed to procrastinate in a non-destructive way. Mulling over the fleet, I've been all "let's get rid of..." and the 406 Coupé, Beetle, Twingo and XJS have all been considered suitable.

 

Of course, the XJS hasn't been touched since it got here, bar the occasional fire up. So, that'll be the ideal procrastination device for someone who is fundamentally trying to break themselves.

 

Battery out of CX. XJS fires up like a brand new car.

 

Add water. Wait for water to come from exhaust.

 

Notice interesting water feature under bonnet.

 

Rev. Obtain fountain.

 

Still no water from exhaust.

 

Oil pressure rock solid. Temperature climbing, so off.

 

Cool, add more water. Pay attention this time...

 

Little hose union snapped off behind thermostat...

Glad to see you back Richardk. Have missed your fleet updates. There's been a lot happening on here lately, check out the sierra (autoshite holy grail) thread. Hope your mojo returns soon.

[LC Torana]

Not automotive at all, but just finished work on this.

[vulgalour]

It's just as well I like this car so I just make this face at it.

 

And not this face.

 

Stupid keyfob failing to work a-stupid-gain.

[oldcars]

Sad news Bren. 

[egg]

Sorry to hear Bren. Did your late mother in law meet her granddaughter though?

[HH-R]

Has anyone heard anything about Renault's 0.9 litre TCE engine reliability wise? I keep fancying a Sandero but can't help but think that Renault + stressed small engine + unproven + turbo + VVT = disaster. Sounds like Ford's Ecoboost is a pile of shite from what I've heard.

[twosmoke300]

Both v clever little engines but I'd imagine the std service routine will see it out of warranty and that's about it . I wouldn't run one past 6000 miles between oil changes

[anonymous user]

Well it's been an interesting few days, post retirement. Friday, my first official day as one of the surplus to requirements generation, saw me driving to Heathrow with one of my former colleagues to drop her mother off for her flight to Australia. (A lady made of stern stuff, in her 70s, never flown before and previously her only trip on her own was to Tenby last year. She enjoyed the flight and is apparently having a great time.) My verdict Volvo XC90s are very nice to drive.

Saturday was take dog to vet for his booster, then to the pub for coffee, dog was fine coffee was fine, puncture on rear tyre not fine, wheel changed and two new tyres ordered.

Sunday meant to be a nice lazy day and lunch out; was late for lunch due to stopping to retrieve a pair of stray horses off the main road on the way.

Today was pop in to former workplace to drop off my security fob, had a qhick chat with a few people I'd missed last week, then to yard to sort out caravan storage, then to get the tyres fitted. "There's about an hour's wait" I was told, so I walked up the road to pop in to see a former colleague who is off on half-term. Went back an hour and a half later, but they hadn't started mine.

 

Eventually got out of there over an hour later. I popped into Pets at Home to pick up some treatetty things for the dogs and parked next to this

 

I have seen this Marina around before, but never parked, the roof-rack/suitcases are a new addition. It's in pretty good condition, not perfect, but nice to see it in use.

[catsinthewelder]

Odd day at work, fitted a Momo steering wheel to a mower and got a PCN through for crossing the Dartford Crossing in Jan 2015.

[andrew e]

Anonymous user - BL BINGO WINNA!

[Richard]

Jan 2015.

 

Surely you can tell them to GTF, or at least wait 15 months for their money.

[SiC]

Has anyone heard anything about Renault's 0.9 litre TCE engine reliability wise? I keep fancying a Sandero but can't help but think that Renault + stressed small engine + unproven + turbo + VVT = disaster. Sounds like Ford's Ecoboost is a pile of shite from what I've heard.

Is a 900cc producing 88bhp that stressed by modern standards though? I mean the kei cars were producing 65bhp from their 660cc turbo lumps back in the early 90s - like the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino. That's a similar bhp per litre between the two.

 

IIRC, the 0.9 TCE engines were co-designed with Nissan too.

[Kiltox]

Placed a provisional bid on one of these tonight

 

 

Hideous, but a cheap convertible in April is a good thing right?

[HH-R]

Thanks for the feedback, both. I keep trying to put myself off one but I do fancy one! I suppose I'm stuck in the there's no replacement for displacement mindset. I usually service every 6k anyway so would be OK with that.

[HH-R]

Placed a provisional bid on one of these tonight

 

 

Hideous, but a cheap convertible in April is a good thing right?

 

I rate the Colt. They handle nicely and the 1.3 at least goes like stink for its size. VVT FTW. My parents have one and other than suspension components (the roads round here are a disgrace and the council loves speed humps) and the glove box falling to bits it's been great.

[Kiltox]

It's a 1.5

[HH-R]

Diseasel?

[Kiltox]

Petrol

[cort16]

I had a 1.5 Colt and it was a fun little thing. Those's CC's are seriously fuggly mind you it looks like they let Stevie wonder design it on a day trip to the Mitsubishi factory.

[Kiltox]

Looks OK-ish with the roof down but I agree

[HH-R]

I didn't even know they did a 1.5 petrol!

[Kiltox]

But a cheap convertible at this time of year is a good thing, right? Riiiiiight?

 

Can't afford another auction disaster

[cort16]

Same platform and engines as the unsuccessful but quite good Smart For Four.

The also do the CZT, which is the 1.5 with T@RBO POWER.

 

Mine started taking on some rattles and squeaks that drove me crazy, so much so I traded it on for an Audi A4.

[eddyramrod]

My condolences too, Bren.

 

 

 

In other news: MrsR bought me a dashcam the other day as a birthday present (two weeks to go...) and I've been using it in everything I drive.  Hyacinth, Swoopy Saab, Mary Jane... the only thing it hasn't been in yet, because I haven't driven it since, is the Blob.  It's proved the lighter socket works in each one!  Haven't used the playback yet, but then I hope I never have to.

[Pete-M]

Mate of mine has an 07 plate Jag S type.

 

Failed MOT today on seat adjustment - the electric seat doesn't work.

 

This ended up with me giving the Jag seat the full Herriot trying to check all the seat motors, switches and modules are connected, that's there's bugger all obstructing the seat runners, checking a multitude of fuses (in the driver's kick panel, virtually inaccessible when the driver's seat doesn't move, is set for a shorter driver and you're a 6'2 16 stone geezer).

 

Further investigation has led me to believe it's the driver's seat module that has turned turtle. Can't get the seat out without jumping a 12v feed to the seat motor as the bloody seat is in the exact right place to cover all four seat bolts.

 

Joy.