OV9

Hence the 3 exhausts.

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:44 am
I've little doubt that dampness and switch failure are related.

My Fabia's electric windows don't work from about November through to April, due to dampness. I get masses of condensation on the inside of the windscreen. Keeping it in the garage wasn't helping as that is high humidity so I just leave it on the drive now, uncovered, with an extension lead from the battery charger under the bonnet running under the garage door.

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:22 pm Do you know it turns out you can get a Vantage for circa £30k.

You certainly can

For the FTAO dads. Is there any reason why I shouldn't put the baby car seat in the Lotus? I haven't tried to fit it yet, but I can't see why it wouldn't go in there and get held in by the seat belt as per design (backward facing). Certainly the instruction Manuel doesn't forbid it.

duncs500 wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:56 pm For the FTAO dads. Is there any reason why I shouldn't put the baby car seat in the Lotus? I haven't tried to fit it yet, but I can't see why it wouldn't go in there and get held in by the seat belt as per design (backward facing). Certainly the instruction Manuel doesn't forbid it.

Check that the seat is approved for the car, it will be in the manual for it (the seat). Also disable airbags if applicable. Apart from that, you're fine I'm sure.

I had my boy in the M3 front seat facing backwards - though the M3 did have isofix on the front seat too. Putting him in the back was a ball ache once he was too big to lift in in his chair.

I think the car is too old to be listed (elise only goes back to 2001 on the list which will be S2), but from reading SELOC looks like the seat we've got can fit depending on the seat type I've got in the Lotus. I'll stick it in and give it a yank to see whether it feels solid I guess.

Just check it’s tight and give it a good shake, you will soon know.

Dave!

When I were a lad we sat on an orange box in the boot, etc, etc.

I don’t like the silver dials on the Cayenne, so I’ve acquired a non-working cluster with black dials from eBay for £20 and will swap the faces over.

Sundayjumper wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:52 pm

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:22 pm Do you know it turns out you can get a Vantage for circa £30k.

You certainly can

Nice car that.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:00 pm When I were a lad we sat on an orange box in the boot, etc, etc.

You got a box to sit on? Spoilt brat!

DeskJockey wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:44 pm

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:00 pm When I were a lad we sat on an orange box in the boot, etc, etc.

You got a box to sit on? Spoilt brat!

Sitting on the boot floor?? Loooxury!

Well, given the battery a couple of six hour boosts in the evening this week, no change on the symptoms. I've not had to bump start the car since the other day, but I think that has more to do with me removing bulbs than anything else. Cos now they don't light up all the time in the middle of the fucking night....

So, next step is to determine if it's the door module, or the control module (GM5?) that's the issue. That requires unplugging the door module itself. If the car still reports the door is flip-flopping after that, then it's a GM5 module issue. That's an Ouchy that I'll consider should it occur, but it seems unlikely that such an issue would only affect one door, logic-flow speaking -I'd be expecting multiple dispirate body control issues if that were the case. IE the roof has loads of sensors and microswithes on the same control module AFAIK, not a peep from any of them.

If the problems go away when unplugged (and obviously after checking for any bad contacts, moisture in the connector, yadda yadda and retesting- obvious stuff) then it's the door module itself.

At that stage, I can either fork out a not unreasonable amount for a new replacement module (couple of hundred quid IIRC - ouch enough), or I can invite my neighbour to supply me with tea and an extension lead in his driveway in exchange for sweary entertainment while I dremel the absolute living shit out of the module to gain access to the hall effect sensor itself, and resolder it with gobs of delicious leaded solder. And then secure it with two part resin. The symptoms do genuinely feel like a dry solder joint like you'd get on tellys from the early 00's when lead free solder was introduced - give it a solid smack, and it'll work again...for a bit. I'd be genuinely surprised, after observing the problem all this week, if that isn't the issue.

If I completely fuck the job up, then I need a new door module - ho hum, back to square one. If the job works, then that door module will literally outlive the car

Quite looking forward to it, if the weather holds up, honestly. Haven't had a good blether with the neighbour for a while, and with regards to the actual job at hand, once access is gained it's a very simple solder job so nothing to lose really. Other than my dignity.

Which as you all know, I absolutely do not have.

.....and before anyone bangs on about me overthinking this, I genuinely enjoy this sort of problem solving - I'd not work in IT otherwise, where this sort of logic-levelling and branching diagnostics are de rigour if you want to actually succeed. Lets not question my success in my IT career though, yeah?

My biggest concern - genuinely - is making a mess of the pretty damned clean door cards. I treat all my cars as 'working vehicles' so don't mollycoddle them, but it'd be a damned shame if I slipped with a screwdriver and ripped the finishing up

Door cards are a couple of torx bolts and then plastic spatula thing to lever it off ? Shouldn’t be too difficult.

If you don’t have any already, get a set of those plastic levers for removing trim. They’re only a few quid and they’re honestly far better than a screwdriver.

I've got some metal ones of the same design which.....are probably fine.

I mean, other than the risk of the airbag going off and ruining my beautiful, beautiful face, I don't see any real problems. I just recall the Puma and it's plastic snaps for the door cards and I get the fucking hives

Rich B wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:08 am Sounds like my experience of having a second car.

- if you have to move the other car to get it out, you won't bother.
- if you need some practicality, like I always did with weekend activities, you won't bother.
- if it costs loads more to run and you're doing dull journeys - you won't bother.
- etc

For that one perfect journey - is it worth it? I much prefer the one all rounder option. (Though I do still consider the van/pickup option as my weekend car, sporty car weekday idea).

This is why I liked the Evora so much as a second car, as I'm sure Mik will attest to

It had that involvement and a little bit of rawness, but could still do the practical (reasonable boot, just-about-usable rear seats) and the commute, and the bad weather, and the dull motorway journeys at 50mph.

I'm looking at Elise's again, with the rose-tinted about how great they are, then I read your post and remember how much time it spent sat in the garage while I spent 99% of my time in a £500 VW Bora.

Miks Evora isn't a second car though!

That’s why I like the Evora so much as an only car.

It’s awesome and able to do 98% of of the things you want from a car with tactile rewards awaiting whenever the opportunity arises.

Obviously mrs mik having a big 4x4 makes this feasible when I want to move bigger items or more than 2 people, although we can’t really car swap as she won’t drive the ‘vora (HOORAH!) .

If I was single I think having it as an only car would be a push....

Exactly - you don't feel the need to go out and buy a dull saloon or a tiny hatchback to do your commute because it's a good all rounder. That's the solution I like too (though my one concession is my car must be able to carry a bike.)