After a pleasant family Saturday with my daughter in Derby, I awoke Sunday morning with full blown General Malaise - level 4.
Aching bones, dry mouth, headache, runny eyes, runny nose, you get the picture, and it was not all alcohol induced either. So after beating a retreat home, I've spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday being tended to, either on the sofa or in bed. It wasn't until this morning that I could face up to the garage.
My first job was to replace the revcounter. The planned switch didn't work at Shelsley so it's been done remotely.
The following photo shows the instrument, which is designed to fit 'many' cars, and is tuned by selecting the appropriate micro switches. You'll see that the original has 8 switches but the replacement only has four, thus ruling out a like for like swop. Anyway it's fitted and so far is working fine. There is one other thing to note, the instrument is held bu a U shaped metal bracket and two knurled and threaded nuts. The bracket is slightly oversize and works far better with a half inch or less hacksawed off each end. Original to the left:
To gain access, drop the steering column to its low point, remove three crosshead screws between the column and the A post and you can slide your hand up and under.
There are 'several' spare wires and plugs cable tied to the securing bracket.
This is the view under the dash in that corner looking straight up. The red & black wires are to the panel rheostat. The roll hoop is very evident. Lots of electricity in this corner. You can see the feeds to the main fuse box on the bulkhead.
Looking along the dash towards the nearside. The other instruments are visible, as is the wiper rack housing at the top. Surprisingly dusty but I suspect that some of this will be MMC dust.
This is looking up and right towards the A post. There is a main 12v feed post junction (same on my Roadster) and a seperate junction box which can be fixed to a panel, but not in this application. The main fuse box is just the other side of here, on the bulkhead under the bonnet.
While I was under there I tightened the two fasteners for the screen frame - different sizes, then did the other side.
Under the passenger side, and what surprised me was that the glove box has a metal base - might even be stainless steel.
This is looking towards the offside, and there are plenty of spare connectors. Also visible is the 12v power socket, and the diagnostic plug.
The problem - is that plug, when fitted properly is too close to the top of the handbrake. So I've pushed it in slightly without losing it into the dash. Note also that 'MMC?' has used 3mm standard density self adhesive neoprene to cover the metal brackets which hold the dash base in place. They are now covered in leather, Ha!
Those fuses under the dash are smaller than standard bayonet - research is needed.
More to follow............
