Ask a Shiter

[Richard]

I've already done the earth wire mod on the driver's side (I think or it could be the passenger but I'm pretty sure it's the driver's side). I fitted a bullet connector to it as well so you can still remove the cluster. I tried cleaning the earth pin up and coating it with silicon grease but the fault kept coming back. The jumper wire cleared it. Did I read you were having problems with the clutch juddering or did I imagine it?

 

There weren't any wiring modifications on this side, but the connector had been greased. If it happens again I'll put a jump wire on it. 

 

I'm not sure if I mentioned the clutch juddering, but it does sometimes. I'll change the crankshaft oil seal one day when I can be bothered.

 

It's been a great car, mostly because my wife likes it and I don't have to fix it very often.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

What's a horsey horseless?

[Pillock]

Horsey Horseless:

 

An early steam powered car, designed with a horses head on the front in order that it doesn't scare people who are confused by the lack of four legged propulsion.

 

Also, a very thin wearing joke where it's the answer to every "what car should I buy" thread. Everyone knows that the correct answer is HYUNDAI SONATA.

[rainagain]

There weren't any wiring modifications on this side, but the connector had been greased. If it happens again I'll put a jump wire on it.

 

I'm not sure if I mentioned the clutch juddering, but it does sometimes. I'll change the crankshaft oil seal one day when I can be bothered.

 

It's been a great car, mostly because my wife likes it and I don't have to fix it very often.

Glad it's going ok, I remembered you mentioned a juddery clutch in the fiat a go go thread, but I don't think you were actually talking about this car (so my memory isn't completely failing, I just miss read it) It started to judder for me once I'd owned it for about three months. According to the Fiat Forum the Mk2b were fitted with clutches that like to judder.( just type Fiat Forum clutch judder in Google and look how many results come up) I followed their advice and did a quick take off in third whilst slipping the clutch. This kept it fine for about six months and then I did it again. I think if you just repeat this it'll be fine.

[Richard]

The rear light did the same thing again yesterday. On starting it flagged up the brake light warning but all the other lights worked, then the whole lot shut down as soon as I pressed the brake pedal. I've soldered on an earth wire now, as I should have in the first place.

[steveo3002]

12v car bulbs and relays ....what sort of volts can they take until they dont like it?

 

got a add on relay set up for my vw headlights fed direct off the alternator post , popped both dip beams the other night and trying to suss why

[stephen01]

Q Drive ball joints, any good?

[chaseracer]

Getting chilly out, so...

 

Winter tyres - bit early, or get 'em on (since I have them now) ?

[Kiltox]

Q Drive ball joints, any good?

Not really - they'll get you going again but won't last

[Guest Hooli]

Getting chilly out, so...

 

Winter tyres - bit early, or get 'em on (since I have them now) ?

 

Pretty sure they are designed for minus lots to plus 20C or so, so fine to fit now. Some people run them all year without issue. They start to work better at +4c I think, so it's about right to fit them.

[steve_earwig]

It's 7 degrees, according to a duck.. sorry, ADAC ect. This is a bit of a piece of string question - if you live out in the wilds and you need to get to work early in the morning then yes, as soon as. If you only do journeys that can be differed 'til later then meh, as and when.

 

Here in Croatia we have to have winter tyres from November 15th 'til April 15th, no matter how stupidly warm it gets in March.

[Asimo]

12v car bulbs and relays ....what sort of volts can they take until they dont like it?

 

got a add on relay set up for my vw headlights fed direct off the alternator post , popped both dip beams the other night and trying to suss why

Measure the volts at your alternator terminal and compare with voltage at the battery terminal.  

Some alternators sense the voltage at the battery terminal and regulate their output to keep that voltage constant. This means that the voltage at the alternator output terminal WILL be higher than the nominal voltage. How much higher will depend upon the resistance of the connections between the alternator and the battery AND how much electrical load the alternator is seeing.

 

So connect your light feed to the battery terminal, not the alternator terminal. And fit a fuse as close to the feed as possible!!

 

 

Although the bulbs are marked "12V" they are designed for the nominal vehicle voltage which is 13.5ish.

[rainagain]

Getting chilly out, so...

 

Winter tyres - bit early, or get 'em on (since I have them now) ?

 

Have a look at 'all season' tyres, almost as good as a pure winter tyre but can be used all year round. I think their better for our climate overall as they tend to be very good in the wet as well.

[TataBobu]

.. which is 13.5ish.

14.4

[anonymous user]

 

These, yes I know it's an overpriced Nissan something or other in a strange outfit, but I've always quite fancied one (no, I have no idea why either). Apart from the obvious, that they like to rot, are there any other major things to look out for?

[Kiltox]

Just noticed one of the front jacking points on my Tragic is a bit crusty - likely to be a MOT fail I assume?

[Barry Cade]

Just noticed one of the front jacking points on my Tragic is a bit crusty - likely to be a MOT fail I assume?

Only if it's within 30cm of a brake steering or seatbelt mounting point.

[twosmoke300]

Common rot point on tragivarostars ! Last one I did I used 3 sides out of a bit of box section and it fitted perfectly . Much stronger than std too

[twosmoke300]

Within 30cm of front subframe mount I think

[Kiltox]

It's a 53 plate on 206k miles so if that's all I need to deal with I can live with it

[stephen01]

why dress welds that are not being seen? assuming your welding is nice, why?

[steveo3002]

why dress welds that are not being seen? assuming your welding is nice, why?

invisible repair ?  looks like new with some carefull undersealing 

[steve_earwig]

Maybe it's something to do with a rough surface being harder to effectively paint, plus welding producing a small amount of oxidation that needs removing.

 

I often think of the medieval sculptor who didn't bother finishing the back of statues because nobody could see them. "Ah, but God can see everything" they said, before cutting his balls off.

[cort16]

I always think the books a crannies could trap moisture and are hard to get under seal into on an undressed weld. Also it looks cool.

[stephen01]

Airbag light on MOT fail?

[twosmoke300]

Yup

[Kiltox]

Anyone know anything about VW auto boxes?  My 1996 Golf MK3 1.8 auto could use a fluid change I think but doesn't appear to have a dipstick so I assume it's "sealed for life"

[worldofceri]

who came up with Autoshite's strapline 'your motoring is our concern'?

Presumably Autoshite founders and very very very occasional visitors Mr H Sceptre and Electric Leyland.

[scaryoldcortina]

airbag light mysteriously not working at all is only an advise.

[twosmoke300]

1/4 drill bit right through the clocks into the bulb?