With the cable removed half of the internal mechanism dropped into the door. Somehow it had managed to snap in half. So that was the cause of my problem.  You are supposed to be able to slide the outter handle backwards to remove it. I just couldn't do it. As the internal mechanism was broken anyway I just got the Dremel out and cut the metal mechanism.  I later realised that the hangle has to be on the closed position to allow it to slide back. 

 

These photos show where I had to cut and also the broken mechanism next to its good replacement

Edited 26 March, 20215 yr by a1topdog

The online parts catalogue shows there are two internal mechanisms, a plastic one and a metal one. Mine was metal and they are about £40 new.

 

I double checked the part number on my actual mechanism and found they are the same as the MK2 Octavia, so I got a used one off eBay for £11.50 delivered. I was happy with that.  Finally got it all back together and another job ticked off the list.

 

 

Still plodding on with the cleaning jobs. Removed the front wheel arch liners to clean out all the muck that builds up at the bottom of the wings

While the arch liners were out I discovered what I think is the mounting point for the siren. I don't believe these two holes in the front n/s chassis leg are factory can anyone confirm?) , also there is a spare white wire cut into the cars horns while would make me think the went to the siren

Edited 5 April, 20215 yr by a1topdog

I think the pollen filter was due a change 🤢🤮

 

I replaced with a genuine one that I sourced cheaper than an aftermarket one from ECP, but noticed it was made by Mann.

I also managed to track down the roof light bar, exactly as originally fitted. It's a Whelen Edge 9000 with front stobe lights and rear red halogen lights. 

 

I intend to have this full functioning.

Oohhh, exciting times!! You’ll have to search around to see what sort of siren the forced used. Some used Whelen, others used Stirling (two tone or V2, these were used on a lot of Qcars), Premier Hazard, Woodway. There wasn’t just one brand, it seems that some of the same make of cars had different sirens/setups.

33 minutes ago, DeanVRS20VT said:

Oohhh, exciting times!! You’ll have to search around to see what sort of siren the forced used. Some used Whelen, others used Stirling (two tone or V2, these were used on a lot of Qcars), Premier Hazard, Woodway. There wasn’t just one brand, it seems that some of the same make of cars had different sirens/setups.

I'm suspecting it will be a woodway/Whelen as all the other equipment is. The controls were the woodway Optilink, which I have also managed to source. 

 

I just need to get hold of someone who was in the police workshops when this car was in service. Im speaking with a few officers to see if they can help. 

 

Hopefully they can also confirm where the control board was mounted. I'm suspecting it was where the CD unit would go, but that space looks a bit small.

Next job on the list is to try and bring some life to the paintwork.  As you would expect for a car with this one's history and mileage (162k) it's seem plenty of abuse and paint.

 

In the initial pictures I posted it looks clean, but it's not.

 

Here are some pics after I washed it. Plenty of ground in grime.  Time to get out the claybar and cutting compound.

 

 

Swapped out the handbrake cable guides for a good used set. Luckily the cables looked to have been replaced fairly recently so pulled out no problems.

 

In a earlier photo I posed a pic showing the the rib on the guides infront of the support bracket inside the car. This was not correct. (I think photo was from a golf). After checking a photo that deanvrs posted I could see the rib sits behind the support, as per my second photo. 

Believe it or not this is my replacement carpet 😂

 

It was local and cheap and better then the original in my car. 

 

 

 

 

And the same carpet after a scrub and a jet wash. Didn't come up too bad. 

Good job on the carpet! 
 

I got mine dirty as soon as I got in it... I was so annoyed as I rested my foot on the foot rest and I had a bit of dirt on my boot. 😒

 

Car coming along nicely. 👌

3 hours ago, DeanVRS20VT said:

Good job on the carpet! 
 

I got mine dirty as soon as I got in it... I was so annoyed as I rested my foot on the foot rest and I had a bit of dirt on my boot. 😒

 

Car coming along nicely. 👌

I've got a set of original mats to put in so hopefully save it a bit

Just offering up the lightbar to check I have the correct length mounting straps.

 

I need to strip the lightbar down to check it over and make some changes inside so that the POLICE signs luminate. 

How rare is it for these to come up? One has just been posted for sale in Nottingham.

11 minutes ago, nutters_uclan said:

How rare is it for these to come up? One has just been posted for sale in Nottingham.

As they are getting older they very rarely come up for sale. That one in Nottingham has had a harder life then this one, and saying something!

14 hours ago, nutters_uclan said:

How rare is it for these to come up? One has just been posted for sale in Nottingham.

 

14 hours ago, a1topdog said:

As they are getting older they very rarely come up for sale. That one in Nottingham has had a harder life then this one, and saying something!

link!

It's the ex Nottinghamshire Police car reg FD54 JFO 

 

It was still a standard looking car about 4 years ago, but then was subjected to various modifications and the engine went pop.

 

The for sale ad was on FB yesterday in one of the Octavia groups, I'll see if I can find it.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 19 May, 20215 yr by a1topdog

5 minutes ago, a1topdog said:

It's the ex Nottinghamshire Police car reg FD54 JFO 

 

It was still a standard looking car about 4 years ago, but then was subjected to various modifications and the engine went pop.

 

The for sale was on FB yesterday in one of the Octavia groups, I'll see if I can find it.

 

 

 

 

 

I think it may have sold already - link

 

PS: sorry to hijack your project log, a1. Keep it up, I'm finding it really useful.

Edited 19 May, 20215 yr by nutters_uclan
I like to edit

1 hour ago, nutters_uclan said:

I think it may have sold already - link

 

PS: sorry to hijack your project log, a1. Keep it up, I'm finding it really useful.

That’s been through a lot of hands now and it’s got a new engine in it as the last screwed it and still tried to sell it for stupid money. 
 

A1, I’ll tidy up the thread for you in a bit, sorry.

I don't mind the chat....it's all good. 

I'm back working on the car. First job as to swap the steering wheel. The original one was totally worn out. I managed to find a nice replacement. Also  noticed that the metal bracket inside the steering wheel is date stamped.

 

 

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by a1topdog

Another piece of original police equipment sourced and fitted. It's the steering column mounted PTT (push to talk) button, made by a company called Sepura. 

 

Its used in conjuction with a mic and when pushed it allows the driver to speak on the cars police radio.  (the mic should also mount on the shroud where the small white square is in the picture) 

 

The original mounting holes were still in the steering column shroud and lined up perfectly with my replacement