Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.
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- Donor 2024
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
So somewhat put off by having been beaten to the last Jeep I was looking at, I decided to get my tail in gear and actually move forward with my RIva EFi project. No reason I haven't done anything with it in the last week other than my own laziness.
The one bit I was somewhat apprehensive about was the wiring. Given that the donor vehicle was half full of junk so I had poor access, I'd had to blindly snip a few wires under the dashboard, so wasn't really looking forward to tracing out where they were all going.
With the wiring diagrams in front of me however, it quickly became apparent that things were a lot simpler than they initially looked. In fact, this whole lot turned out to be absolutely nothing to do with the EFi system.
The only reason I thought it was to do with the EFi stuff was because the factory had attached it to the same bracket.
The next discovery was that the diagrams had pin numbers for each of the connections to the ECU sockets...which even more conveniently were also stamped onto the back of the plugs. This made it a really trivial task of ten minutes to trace out what the four remaining wires were using the continuity checker on my multimeter.
Three of them were heading to a socket heading towards the instrument panel, and turned out to be the switched 12V supply which feeds the coil in the relay which supplies the whole system, the 0-5V signal wire for the tachometer (which I won't be using), and the 12V wire for the check engine light. EDIT: Just had a better look, the ECU actually provides the *ground* for the CEL not the supply, that comes from the factory instrument panel supply. That'll teach me to read the diagrams properly...
The final lone grey wire was quickly buzzed out to terminal G on the factory test socket which showed it to be the 12V feed for the fuel pump.
So I'm left with a completely labelled EFi wiring loom ready to go into the car.
So I'm in a situation here where I will be able to retofit an EFi system which requires me to disturb a grand total of two wires in the actual vehicle wiring. Will need to splice in a spur from the switched ignition feed (I'll probably borrow that from the feed to the rear window heater relay) as it's conveniently located), cut the existing CEL wire between the AFR module and wire it into the new connector, and the tach signal line I'll just terminate appropriately - probably just removing the outgoing terminal from the connector shown above.
One thing I do need to pick up is a lambda sensor spanner so I've got some hope of getting that out of the downpipe without a massive battle.
Was astonished how little electronic detective work I ended up having to do here...it's astonishing how a bit of commonsense at the design stage and a good diagram can make your life easier.
I'll need to post up the EFi wiring diagrams for at the least Jim's benefit - they're quite possibly the easiest to follow scribbles of their kind I've come across. Citroen could learn a thing or two from them!
The one bit I was somewhat apprehensive about was the wiring. Given that the donor vehicle was half full of junk so I had poor access, I'd had to blindly snip a few wires under the dashboard, so wasn't really looking forward to tracing out where they were all going.
With the wiring diagrams in front of me however, it quickly became apparent that things were a lot simpler than they initially looked. In fact, this whole lot turned out to be absolutely nothing to do with the EFi system.
The only reason I thought it was to do with the EFi stuff was because the factory had attached it to the same bracket.
The next discovery was that the diagrams had pin numbers for each of the connections to the ECU sockets...which even more conveniently were also stamped onto the back of the plugs. This made it a really trivial task of ten minutes to trace out what the four remaining wires were using the continuity checker on my multimeter.
Three of them were heading to a socket heading towards the instrument panel, and turned out to be the switched 12V supply which feeds the coil in the relay which supplies the whole system, the 0-5V signal wire for the tachometer (which I won't be using), and the 12V wire for the check engine light. EDIT: Just had a better look, the ECU actually provides the *ground* for the CEL not the supply, that comes from the factory instrument panel supply. That'll teach me to read the diagrams properly...
The final lone grey wire was quickly buzzed out to terminal G on the factory test socket which showed it to be the 12V feed for the fuel pump.
So I'm left with a completely labelled EFi wiring loom ready to go into the car.
So I'm in a situation here where I will be able to retofit an EFi system which requires me to disturb a grand total of two wires in the actual vehicle wiring. Will need to splice in a spur from the switched ignition feed (I'll probably borrow that from the feed to the rear window heater relay) as it's conveniently located), cut the existing CEL wire between the AFR module and wire it into the new connector, and the tach signal line I'll just terminate appropriately - probably just removing the outgoing terminal from the connector shown above.
One thing I do need to pick up is a lambda sensor spanner so I've got some hope of getting that out of the downpipe without a massive battle.
Was astonished how little electronic detective work I ended up having to do here...it's astonishing how a bit of commonsense at the design stage and a good diagram can make your life easier.
I'll need to post up the EFi wiring diagrams for at the least Jim's benefit - they're quite possibly the easiest to follow scribbles of their kind I've come across. Citroen could learn a thing or two from them!
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Excellent
I can see this happening a lot sooner than later Zel 


Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Me too Jim! First time I've really looked forward to a job on a car in a long while - especially one where I'm actually going to voluntarily pull apart a working engine bay!
Think if the weather cooperates I'll make a start on Monday. First task will be to temporarily hook up power and plug all the sensors in to see if we get life (fuel pump prime and CEL light and extinguish as it should), before I actually start pulling stuff to bits.
Do need to grab a lambda sensor wrench though so I can shift that...Keep forgetting!
Was having a natter about cars in the house earlier today, and think I've steered my husband well - his ambition is to some point in the medium future look at moving my 107 on when commuting duties are no longer an issue - and upgrade it to a Pug 406 Coupe. I've taught him well I think!
... I'm not about to complain, have to admit I've always fancied one. Had a shot of one back at the garage, pale custard yellow it was, and stuck on the forecourt for nearly a year because of the colour. Interior was in red leather and was a lovely place to be, it was a V6 version, and I remember that it both went like the proverbial and sounded gorgeous!
Preferred colours are (as near as possible to) French Racing Blue, or silver - though if silver it would get a French flag inspired pinstripe on the bonnet.
Just wish we'd had a Xantia Coupe, that would have been epic. Or a convertible - if that existed though I find it hard to believe I wouldn't own one.
Either that or a Capri - but I reckon you get a LOT more car for your money with the 406. Other one I threw on the table is a Ford Puma, especially with how cheap they are now and what a hoot to drive they are.
Think if the weather cooperates I'll make a start on Monday. First task will be to temporarily hook up power and plug all the sensors in to see if we get life (fuel pump prime and CEL light and extinguish as it should), before I actually start pulling stuff to bits.
Do need to grab a lambda sensor wrench though so I can shift that...Keep forgetting!
Was having a natter about cars in the house earlier today, and think I've steered my husband well - his ambition is to some point in the medium future look at moving my 107 on when commuting duties are no longer an issue - and upgrade it to a Pug 406 Coupe. I've taught him well I think!
... I'm not about to complain, have to admit I've always fancied one. Had a shot of one back at the garage, pale custard yellow it was, and stuck on the forecourt for nearly a year because of the colour. Interior was in red leather and was a lovely place to be, it was a V6 version, and I remember that it both went like the proverbial and sounded gorgeous!
Preferred colours are (as near as possible to) French Racing Blue, or silver - though if silver it would get a French flag inspired pinstripe on the bonnet.
Just wish we'd had a Xantia Coupe, that would have been epic. Or a convertible - if that existed though I find it hard to believe I wouldn't own one.
Either that or a Capri - but I reckon you get a LOT more car for your money with the 406. Other one I threw on the table is a Ford Puma, especially with how cheap they are now and what a hoot to drive they are.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
406 will be so much better than a Capri. I owned a couple of 2.8is, the second one was a minter, and you'd need to get a minter unless you like welding, a lot... I'd only had the second one 5 days (had the first over a year back in 2001!) when some chap at a petrol station offered me £600 more than I paid for it, so I said yes. Silly me, it would have been worth 5 times what I paid for it now, it was that good. Fun, but horrid at the same time.Zelandeth wrote:
Just wish we'd had a Xantia Coupe, that would have been epic. Or a convertible - if that existed though I find it hard to believe I wouldn't own one.
Either that or a Capri - but I reckon you get a LOT more car for your money with the 406. Other one I threw on the table is a Ford Puma, especially with how cheap they are now and what a hoot to drive they are.
I've only driven a 406 Coupe once. It was a very nice vehicle indeed.
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
A 406 Coupé is an excellent choice Zel
V6 naturally...
I still think the 406 Coupé is one of the prettiest cars ever...
I was originally conceived as the Xantia Activa and that's what it should have been... It should never have been a Pug...
That car with Activa suspension would have been sensational...

I still think the 406 Coupé is one of the prettiest cars ever...
I was originally conceived as the Xantia Activa and that's what it should have been... It should never have been a Pug...
That car with Activa suspension would have been sensational...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
My cousin had a Ford Puma, and that was a VERY agile little car. Ford got it so right that when Cosworth did the Racing version they did not need to do that much to it. Say what you like about Ford, their cars are normally very good at handling.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52810
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7246
Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Speaking of Fords, I see they now do an RS Tranny van... The mind boggles... I see one parked in our road regularly...
What is the rationale for producing a performance van? I really don't get it. Can't imagine it handles at all well...
What is the rationale for producing a performance van? I really don't get it. Can't imagine it handles at all well...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Ask Guy Martin. He modified a Tranny for that race in the USA, and entered the 150MPH class (where they had to average 150MPH along the whole of the course, which was, IIRC, 90 miles long). They got the timing slightly wrong, and ended up arriving 9 seconds early.
At the photo shoots it looked a bit weird. There was all those high performance sports cars, and then there was this black van parked next to a Lamborghini 1/3 the height. Still, it did win one trophy; that of the hookers prize.
At the photo shoots it looked a bit weird. There was all those high performance sports cars, and then there was this black van parked next to a Lamborghini 1/3 the height. Still, it did win one trophy; that of the hookers prize.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
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- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52810
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7246
Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Guy Martin is a legend in his own lifetime and the normal rules don't apply to him 
I aspire to be like Guy... He's my role model!

I aspire to be like Guy... He's my role model!
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Apologies for the use of CAPS quite a bit in this post, I realise that it's terribly bad etiquette (and is out of character!), but I feel the need to have a rant right now...
Just found a contender for "most annoying website of the year award."
Autotrader.
Decided "hey, let's stick an ad on there for the Skoda, can't hurt right?"
First off...there's no way to input a proper model number that ain't on the drop down list they give you, so I had to settle for a slightly bodged listing. Seriously, an "other" option to allow you to type it in would be nice.
Secondly, if you're going to put a limit on the number of characters in your description, TELL ME before I'm half way through typing it, rather than popping up a message when I go over the limit, seriously, this isn't the 1990s any more, web based adverts can have more than 1400 characters. Oh...also, if you want carriage returns in your ad for listing things, you're out of luck - it just comes out as one giant block of text.
Thirdly, make it so your photo upload tool works in ALL COMMON browsers...especially like, I don't know...Firefox (had to switch to Chrome to get it to work after arguing with it for half an hour).
Finally...If you're going to charge me £30-50 to post the ad...DON'T wait until the LAST BLASTED PAGE of the whole convoluted process to tell me that...
Annoyed Zel is now highly annoyed, and wants the last hour and a half of his evening back please.
Just found a contender for "most annoying website of the year award."
Autotrader.
Decided "hey, let's stick an ad on there for the Skoda, can't hurt right?"
First off...there's no way to input a proper model number that ain't on the drop down list they give you, so I had to settle for a slightly bodged listing. Seriously, an "other" option to allow you to type it in would be nice.
Secondly, if you're going to put a limit on the number of characters in your description, TELL ME before I'm half way through typing it, rather than popping up a message when I go over the limit, seriously, this isn't the 1990s any more, web based adverts can have more than 1400 characters. Oh...also, if you want carriage returns in your ad for listing things, you're out of luck - it just comes out as one giant block of text.
Thirdly, make it so your photo upload tool works in ALL COMMON browsers...especially like, I don't know...Firefox (had to switch to Chrome to get it to work after arguing with it for half an hour).
Finally...If you're going to charge me £30-50 to post the ad...DON'T wait until the LAST BLASTED PAGE of the whole convoluted process to tell me that...
Annoyed Zel is now highly annoyed, and wants the last hour and a half of his evening back please.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Doesn't surprise me (about Autotrader, that is) - this is the site that won't let you look for anything - without telling them where you are: it's for me to decide how far I'm prepared to travel!). Keep forgetting Buck House's (a lady in the check-out queue @ B&Q put me onto that one) but the arbitary Torquay post code I use might be the Town Hall (which, presuably, is where Trading Standards are 

Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
'81 2CV Club

'05 C15

'97 Xantia Exclusive estate

others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3

'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS

& the numerous "abandoned projects"

Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
I use Woodley Specsavers postcodevan ordinaire wrote:Doesn't surprise me (about Autotrader, that is) - this is the site that won't let you look for anything - without telling them where you are: it's for me to decide how far I'm prepared to travel!). Keep forgetting Buck House's (a lady in the check-out queue @ B&Q put me onto that one) but the arbitary Torquay post code I use might be the Town Hall (which, presuably, is where Trading Standards are

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- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52810
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7246
Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
Autotrader will never see any custom from me now... That kind of behaviour really annoys...
I also believe an advert in Autotrader is a real magnet for all the dodgy scum out there to try and prey on you and at best irritate you - another reason to avoid...
Car and Classic might be better Zel?
I also believe an advert in Autotrader is a real magnet for all the dodgy scum out there to try and prey on you and at best irritate you - another reason to avoid...
Car and Classic might be better Zel?
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5
It's not great, that's for sure. When selling my cars, I only use gumtree or word of mouth now - Gumtree is free, and I can cope with getting the odd moron if I'm not paying £30 for the pleasure of it. I'm wanting to sell the Meriva at the moment, but I know in this case I can get a lot more for a private sale than a trade-in, so I'll have to deal with messers - should get £800-1000 more than a trade in..CitroJim wrote:Autotrader will never see any custom from me now... That kind of behaviour really annoys...
I also believe an advert in Autotrader is a real magnet for all the dodgy scum out there to try and prey on you and at best irritate you - another reason to avoid...
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- (Donor 2017)
- Posts: 2537
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Re: Zel's Fleet Blog - Pug 107, Saab 900, Lada Riva, Skoda Estelle & Sinclair C5

b-t-w, there's a £400 Cherokee in London, on Gumtree (according to a pop-up I saw this morning.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
'81 2CV Club

'05 C15

'97 Xantia Exclusive estate

others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3

'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS

& the numerous "abandoned projects"
