Hi all, old and new...

 

Not been on here for a few years now.  Anyway, got a few gripes with the '07 SE that I've been putting off for a while;

 

1) Lost all sound from main door speakers although the tweeters work.  Swapped the head unit with a spare one but same thing.  Anyone had this issue; do I assume i'll have the re-run new wiring?  I intended to fit new speakers and upgrade the head unit, fit an amp and sub too. Until then, it's streaming audio on the mobile stuffed behind the sun visor 

 

2) Fan speed now only works on 4.  That's full-blast or zilch!

 

3) Heating temp control is just bonkers - cold on hot setting, warm on hot, hot on warm etc.; sometimes it works as it should but more often not.  Btw, It's not a head gasket/coolant issue common to more old skool cars...

 

4) Glass misting up is once again doing my nut.  It maybe 'cos i've never done the rear door seal/water ingress issue.  Put up with it for yonks, but now the heating/air blower's malfunctioning, it's more of a pain.

 

5)  The perennial 'steering pulling to the left' issue.

 

6) Anyone with experience/recommendations for fitting lowered suspension/springs kits?  How much lower for a typical 100+ mile day commute of motorway,A/B roads, speed humps etc.

 

7) Still on the original exhaust - Need I be worried?  I've clocked up 167K miles and she appears 'ok'...

 

8) Last, but not least: considering the tighter London diesel emissions zone coming in 2020 (https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/vrm-checker-ulez) , anyone think I'm ill-advised to go down the remapping route for a 'moderate' power/performance increase with the sole aim for 'going out with a blast', cos SAF, the car will prob be near worthless when i'm forced to ditch it for some bloody EV or something equally soulless.

 

Any help/comments welcome.  Great to be back 

 

Robstaaaar

1. Speakers are blown, just replace them.

2. Fan speed resistor block blown, replace it.

3. Heater flap control motor needs adapting or replacing.

4. Put up with it or reseal the carriers.

5. Check tracking.

6. Stock shocks and springs will be very tired, buy what you can afford.

7. Exhaust will be fine as long as it passes mot.

8. Sure, but get a torque limited remap.

6) Maybe get it a set of Prague Springs?

8) How about "not going to Larndarn"?

6 hours ago, KenONeill said:

6) Maybe get it a set of Prague Springs?

8) How about "not going to Larndarn"?

 

I hear Arab springs are all the rage...

Driving in London is decidedly optional these days.

12 hours ago, KenONeill said:

6) Maybe get it a set of Prague Springs?

8) How about "not going to Larndarn"?

 

...if only, but the commute to work in & around Lardarn dictates

5 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

 

I hear Arab springs are all the rage...

Driving in London is decidedly optional these days.

...was just about to google Arab springs, then the penny dropped lol 

Quote

6) Anyone with experience/recommendations for fitting lowered suspension/springs kits?  How much lower for a typical 100+ mile day commute of motorway,A/B roads, speed humps etc.

 

I put off lowering for years as I did not want a harsh ride (everyday car), I went for it this year with Eibach springs, bilstein B4 dampers (although they say not for VRS)  and new top mounts and bump stops, all in for parts £385.

 

I am very happy with it and wish I had done it years ago, for the majority of driving I would say the ride and comfort is better than std and for such a budget price cannot really go wrong.

23 hours ago, robstaaaar said:

Hi all, old and new...

 

Not been on here for a few years now.  Anyway, got a few gripes with the '07 SE that I've been putting off for a while;

 

1) Lost all sound from main door speakers although the tweeters work.  Swapped the head unit with a spare one but same thing.  Anyone had this issue; do I assume i'll have the re-run new wiring?  I intended to fit new speakers and upgrade the head unit, fit an amp and sub too. Until then, it's streaming audio on the mobile stuffed behind the sun visor 

 

2) Fan speed now only works on 4.  That's full-blast or zilch!

 

3) Heating temp control is just bonkers - cold on hot setting, warm on hot, hot on warm etc.; sometimes it works as it should but more often not.  Btw, It's not a head gasket/coolant issue common to more old skool cars...

 

4) Glass misting up is once again doing my nut.  It maybe 'cos i've never done the rear door seal/water ingress issue.  Put up with it for yonks, but now the heating/air blower's malfunctioning, it's more of a pain.

 

5)  The perennial 'steering pulling to the left' issue.

 

6) Anyone with experience/recommendations for fitting lowered suspension/springs kits?  How much lower for a typical 100+ mile day commute of motorway,A/B roads, speed humps etc.

 

7) Still on the original exhaust - Need I be worried?  I've clocked up 167K miles and she appears 'ok'...

 

8) Last, but not least: considering the tighter London diesel emissions zone coming in 2020 (https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/vrm-checker-ulez) , anyone think I'm ill-advised to go down the remapping route for a 'moderate' power/performance increase with the sole aim for 'going out with a blast', cos SAF, the car will prob be near worthless when i'm forced to ditch it for some bloody EV or something equally soulless.

 

Any help/comments welcome.  Great to be back 

 

Robstaaaar

 

1) Don't assume, connect something up and test them. Do you own a multimeter?

2) Resistor pack gone wacko.

3) Mine's getting grouchy in its old age too. Sometimes needs a full set of callisthenics to start working like it should.

 

Related to 2&3, when was the last the pollen filter was changed? Have you tried to look in the bottom of the ducting and/or removed and dust/grit and/or leaves from it?

 

4) Doors need sealing. Can try to duck tape the rear windows to reduce ingress if no-one uses the rear and/or taping over the sill and/or taping plastic sheeting "curtains" to the door. Also get large silica gel packs or fill some stockings with fresh cat litter and stuff in the pockets on the back of the front seats.

5) Get the alignment checked.

6) AP shocks and springs kit looks reasonable. Do the top mounts at the same time,

7) Mine looks like it's shedding badly but so far it's just the outside layer.

8) If you can get a torque limited map, go for it. I asked for 270lbft many years ago. The clutch is fine in ordinary driving but slips on overheat if banging on through smaller roads.

8 hours ago, vindaloo said:

 

1) Don't assume, connect something up and test them. Do you own a multimeter?

2) Resistor pack gone wacko.

3) Mine's getting grouchy in its old age too. Sometimes needs a full set of callisthenics to start working like it should.

 

Related to 2&3, when was the last the pollen filter was changed? Have you tried to look in the bottom of the ducting and/or removed and dust/grit and/or leaves from it?

 

4) Doors need sealing. Can try to duck tape the rear windows to reduce ingress if no-one uses the rear and/or taping over the sill and/or taping plastic sheeting "curtains" to the door. Also get large silica gel packs or fill some stockings with fresh cat litter and stuff in the pockets on the back of the front seats.

5) Get the alignment checked.

6) AP shocks and springs kit looks reasonable. Do the top mounts at the same time,

7) Mine looks like it's shedding badly but so far it's just the outside layer.

8) If you can get a torque limited map, go for it. I asked for 270lbft many years ago. The clutch is fine in ordinary driving but slips on overheat if banging on through smaller roads.

@vindaloo Thanks for the comments/advice.  Much appreciated.  My responses below:

 

1)  I have an old electrician's multimeter somewhere, many years old now.  I don't have one of the vehicle 'plug-in' diagnostic tool thingy though.  I know the passenger speaker is blown - got a new set but gave up replacement attempt when I realised speaker's behind some riveted steel plate.  Reason I suspect it 'could' be a wiring issue as the driver's side speaker works very occasionally, then just 'fizzles out'.  

 

2)  Yep, resistor pack probably blown.

 

3)  callisthenics - do you mean all the internal flaps and stuff ducting air/vents behind the control knob?  re: pollen filter change a year or so ago.  I have a new one on the shopping list!

 

4)  Thanks - will try the duct tape and plastic sheeting

 

5)  Yep will get alignment checked; previously had this done but within days it back pulling to the left.  Think I may invest in new poly bushes, springs and dampers, new tyres etc, then get the alignment sorted.

 

6)  Agreed

 

7) Noted

 

8)  Yep, will go down the torque limited route.  Do you have any recommended garages in the herts/beds/bucks area that could quote for remap?

 

Thanks again,

 

robstaaaar 

On 25/12/2018 at 08:43, robstaaaar said:

3)  callisthenics

Yes; If you have any of the climate control systems you do this with the engine running by semi-randomly pressing all the control buttons for about 10 minutes.

 

(5) and (6) - No point in doing an alignment before any suspension component replacements though.

Edited 25 December, 20187 yr by KenONeill

4 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Yes; If you have any of the climate control systems you do this with the engine running by semi-randomly pressing all the control buttons for about 10 minutes.

 

(5) and (6) - No point in doing an alignment before any suspension component replacements though.

Quote

Yes; If you have any of the climate control systems you do this with the engine running by semi-randomly pressing all the control buttons for about 10 minutes.

Hi Ken, is this like doing a 'hard reset' on a mobile phone?  Or ctrl-alt-del if you will? 

 

Ta

37 minutes ago, robstaaaar said:

Hi Ken, is this like doing a 'hard reset' on a mobile phone?  Or ctrl-alt-del if you will? 

 

Ta

 

I usually whack the temp control from full cold to full hot a few times  over the course of a journey with the fan on 2 or 4. Eventually it complies. Also helps it's a little more physical than merely stabbing a button.

 

5&6 very true. My tyre wear went screwy from lowering, and then from console bushes going bad. Important for tyre wear to get the alignment sorted during or immediately after lowering.

 

8) Remap done by Jabbasport nr Peterborough. Have used Auto.P.S. in Brackley (Ox) for servicing and minor maintenance. Also nearly forgot Unit18 in Milton Keynes. Not had mods done there myself. They're good for servicing.

 

J.

On 25/12/2018 at 08:56, robstaaaar said:

Hi Ken, is this like doing a 'hard reset' on a mobile phone?  Or ctrl-alt-del if you will? 

 

Ta

The point is make all the various control flaps move to full deflection each way at least once, something which doesn't usually happen otherwise.

Mine's pulled slightly to the left ever since I've had it and it's had new bushes, all new dampers and springs, new strut top bearings and several alignments. I think it's quite a common thing with them. Tyres wear evenly nevertheless.