CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Stickyfinger]

Another one I should have kept myself

[Zelandeth]

If you need a hand taking anything in Jim (or retrieving due to other commitments) you know where I am.

Should actually be back to normal next week I think at long last, and somewhat a master of my own fate again. Might actually get something useful done!

[CitroJim]

Another one I should have kept myself

Yes, but you know she lives in a very loving home and enjoys an easy life

I'm preserving her and don't intend to use her very much through the winter... I shall use the Ka as my rough weather car...

Really good S1 Saxos are so scarce now it is only sensible to preserve her to the maximum extent...

If you need a hand taking anything in Jim (or retrieving due to other commitments) you know where I am.

Thanks Zel That's brilliant...

All is very much back to normal for me now... I was keen to get that way as soon after the festivities as possible...

[CitroJim]

Had a look at the Ka airbag issue yesterday afternoon - before the cold finally drive me in with a very bad attack of Reynauld's

Looks like the airbag rotary 'clockspring' coupler behind the steering wheel has failed... It makes horrible noises when rotated and shows open-circuit when tested...

I shall prove with a dummy airbag resistor and then, if it is, try to fix the duff one but it all else fails they are easily available for around £20 from breakers...

Will be taking the Ka down to see the caravan tomorrow... Should be fun

I'm conscious the caravan has recently endured some very rough weather and I feel the need to check it's OK...

[Michel]

Had a look at the Ka airbag issue yesterday afternoon - before the cold finally drive me in with a very bad attack of Reynauld's

Looks like the airbag rotary 'clockspring' coupler behind the steering wheel has failed... It makes horrible noises when rotated and shows open-circuit when tested...

I shall prove with a dummy airbag resistor and then, if it is, try to fix the duff one but it all else fails they are easily available for around £20 from breakers...

Will be taking the Ka down to see the caravan tomorrow... Should be fun

Take earplugs , though I expect at the speeds you're likely to go at it's actually not so noisy as it was being punted around the M25 and up the M1 at an indicated 85-90 Which, I discovered, isn't quite 85-90, more like 78-83...

I read up about the airbag thing, I believed it to be the airbag ECU which is the other common failure, but what you say makes sense. I hadn't put 2+2 together , and presumed the noise was the column cowling plastics rubbing on the back of the steering wheel and simply ignored it! I hope it is the clockspring, as that'll save taking the seats out!

[CitroJim]

At my speeds the noise will not be an issue Mike!!! If it is I'll just turn up the wireless

I'm pretty certain it is the clockspring now after some further tests involving resistors and reading the flash codes... The code is saying the airbag circuit is open or grounded... That plus me continuity testing the clockspring more or less nails it...

Those airbag flash codes are quite a clever way of doing it...

A little Pixo has now joined the fleet... Now Sian is resident in London she no longer needs it but neither of us wanted to part with it due to its significant history and special value to both of us...

Own Work

Dad would be delighted to know it's not leaving the family

[CitroJim]

Oh gosh, I've got a problem now... Been out for a longish drive in the Ka and I've fallen in love with the bloody thing

Honesty, it's such a hoot to drive and has such a colourful character it's hard not to...

I reckon the thermostat is stuck open - it runs very cool and the heater takes a while to get any idea of what its duties are...

I now understand why the former owner had a piece of cardboard stuck in front of the rad

Apart from that, it's hard to fault really...

[demag]

Wait till it turns to dust.

[CitroJim]

Wait till it turns to dust.

True Dave, very true...

It reminds me very much of my first few cars... Always fighting the old tin worm to keep them going a bit longer...

A Ka has a lot in common with 60s British cars in that respect...

[Michel]

A Ka has a lot in common with 60s British cars in that respect...

It's still got a 60s engine!

[Michel]

Oh gosh, I've got a problem now... Been out for a longish drive in the Ka and I've fallen in love with the bloody thing

Honesty, it's such a hoot to drive and has such a colourful character it's hard not to...

I reckon the thermostat is stuck open - it runs very cool and the heater takes a while to get any idea of what its duties are...

I now understand why the former owner had a piece of cardboard stuck in front of the rad

Apart from that, it's hard to fault really...

I had a sneaking suspicion that you'd like it a lot after you'd driven it. It is a right laugh to drive, the handling is so good, like a go-kart and you know exactly where each wheel is all the time. I suspect you might be right about the 'stat too. The cardboard went in during that very cold week we had when I was using it early in the morning. Another pointer to the 'stat is that I thrashed it mercilessly to get some heat into it (and me) and it made bugger all difference.

[CitroJim]

A Ka has a lot in common with 60s British cars in that respect...

It's still got a 60s engine!

Yes, indeed... Good point well made!!!

[CitroJim]

I'm down at the caravan enjoying breakfast... It's a gorgeous morning and I had a great journey down here in the Ka... She ran beautifully and speaking of running, that's just what I'm going to do in a bit. I shall be searching all the New Milton charity shops for a Ka BoL during my run...

I badly need a rum after two hours of driving!

[Michel]

I'm down at the caravan enjoying breakfast... It's a gorgeous morning and I had a great journey down here in the Ka... She ran beautifully and speaking of running, that's just what I'm going to do in a bit. I shall be searching all the New Milton charity shops for a Ka BoL during my run...

I badly need a rum after two hours of driving!

That's a fair old trek, I'd never taken it that far in one go.

I bet you need a rum.... though I thought you didn't drink

[CitroJim]

I like an adventure Mike That's why I took the Ka

I meant run, not rum... That was put there by the predictive text on my phone!

I did have a good run too... 7.5 miles all around Barton on Sea and New Milton It's cool and windy but the lovely sun makes it feel warm.

Off to visit James (Elma) in a bit... Will be good to see him and get news of his V6 endeavours....