DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

[mickthemaverick]

Apologies for the format, I don't usually bother with these shorts but I thought this one may help a few people out!!

[MattBLancs]

Neatly done that, a bit more pissing about with the grinder doing what appeared only to be visual tarting it up towards the end, but undoubtedly a decent fix.

[mickthemaverick]

Yes it was the extra faffing that nearly stopped me posting it here cos it ain't right for the title!!

[MattBLancs]

Exception that just contrasts nicely with the preceding 52 pages Mick!

That was Maintenance with function and a triple helping of finesse!

[mickthemaverick]

Not mentioned on here up until now but just to keep up with my car jobs:

I went out in the MX3 about 6 weeks ago and noticed that pressing the heated rear window switch did not illuminate its integral 'on' LED. After a few minutes it became apparent that the window was not heating either. Knowing that the relay is mounted deep in the back of the dashboard I opted to replace the switch first for the princely sum of £6.50 from Lithuania. It arrived a couple of weeks ago and I installed it, on operation still no illumination but I now could here a click although the window was crystal clear when I started so I was unable to see if it was working.

Time to dig a little deeper I thought, so I got the meter out and checked that the 30A supply to the relay contact was ok, it was. I knew the relay was now operating as there was a decent click on operating the switch but still no illumination. I turned my attention to the window element where I was seeing 480 ohms across the filament and 12V appearing as I operated the switch. Clearly that is far too high so further investigations will follow!!

[mickthemaverick]

Anyone with a hydraulic car may find this useful. I could collect it for anyone should you win

https://www.i-bidder.com/en-gb/auction- ... d3011ee0be

[Paul-R]

That's certainly where all the value in that lot is. Battery AND charger missing from the impact drill.

[mickthemaverick]

Indeed Paul, I think they put the drill with the H kit just to get shot of it as it would be pretty unsaleable on its own!

[mickthemaverick]

I have to replace the ATF on a Kangoo in the week so I looked for a video to make sure I have the right size tools. I found this and think it is good enough to post here for future reference

[Paul-R]

Oh Lordy, that was SOOOO annoying with all the stupid video and sound effects. It took an effort to watch it all the way through.

[mickthemaverick]

Sorry about that Paul, I watched it with no audio and subtitles as I was just after the tool sizes which came on the screen and SWMBO was talking to her mate in the room!! Looks like I had a lucky escape, but I got what I needed!!

[mickthemaverick]

This morning I thought I'd take the MX3 out for a run in view of the sunshine so I was a bit choked when I got in and discovered a completely flat battery. That is the fourth time it has happened, bear in mind I only use it once a month or so, since I installed a new Yuasa battery in September so I decided that it was obviously suffering from too little use in general so I decided to take action. I took the car into the garage and connected my full power charger at 12.00 and thought I'd give it six hours. I came indoors and the idea of fitting a battery isolator as I used to have on the rally cars came to me. That way with a decent charge and isolated while sitting outside the battery should give the service I expect next time I jump in.

So I set about finding a suitable isolator on ebay and did for £21.99 but before I ordered it with 3-4 days delivery I checked on Amazon to find exactly the same unit for £22.99 but delivered today!! No brainer I thought, I'll leave the car on charge until it arrives and then fit it before taking the car outside again to allow SWMBO to put her car to bed. Well it did say delivery between 7 and 10pm so I hoped it would be here around 8 but in fact it arrived at 9.10, so I have just finished fitting it and putting the MX3 outside, installing its cover and then clearing the garage and putting SWMBO's car away.

So obviously I tested it and it seems to do exactly as it says, it is operated by a remote fob, I have a pair, which I can take away with me making it an extra immobiliser so I will be interested to see how the battery is on the next test in a few weeks!!

I must admit I have only had these problems since I fitted the new all singing and dancing entertainment system so I believe that may have been draining the battery. The downside is that now when I get in and actuate the system the stored radio stations and bluetooth setup will need refreshing each time but that doesn't bother me as I only use AM and one station!! This is the unit I have put in:

Copied from my Amazon account

[mickthemaverick]

A tricky one to position within the Forum so I decided on here. I doubt there is much that most members will learn from this but it is a useful video to show other family and friends who may not be aware of the silly things they do!!

[mickthemaverick]

Apologies for the narrator's voice but there are some useful tips within this video to help clear those quirky issues we get from time to time:

[myglaren]

Unusual inasmuch as I didn't find the voice all that objectionable.
Still a lot of extraneous waffle though.