Transformer arrives in Colchester

**Lancialulu** · 28-11-2015, 13:24

Of course nearly there with the rebuild of the interior (double bulkhead hiding all the ecu and related relays .... Needed to be fitted so the carpeting and seats could go in), and then found it would not start urgghh. Anyway seemed the fuel pump had given up (found on taking to pieces that it had eaten some of the collaspsed rubber supply pipe which I had already changed - warning to everyone with 20 year old cars these pipes do not last) so ordered a pattern part off ebay, and guess what it is wired in opposite to the Bosch.... Sorted so car starts and water circulates (after bleeding the top hose - for some reason the thermostat bleed does not get enough of the air out of the hose as it runs down the bulkhead). I also finesed the gear change which before was very stiff but now is slick. All electrics work and I have the new tyres to fit once I have polished up the alloy rims. Then an Mot when there is a weather window.

**Lancialulu** · 10-11-2015, 17:30

I think I have narrowed down the reason not starting when cold.

After thinking about it and opening the lid on the AFM no fault found and air temp sensor worked to spec with a hairdryer and multimeter. Car starts with it unplugged as it demands maximum richness on open circuit.

So round the other side and looked at the coolant sensor which I had read is what is used by the M4.1 to decide injector on duration (richening of mix). The sensor was reading as per spec but when I examined the connector the black earth wire had been sheared in two places near the connector. Ah ha found it, so soldered in a new wire and jumped to start the car. No joy. out with the multimeter and it looks like the signal wire is open circuit somewhere as infinite ohms with the ignition on. A job for another day.......

**Guy Mayers** · 10-11-2015, 18:59

One step forward, another back Tim!

Spare ECU in the post today second class, should be there by the weekend.

Guy

**Lancialulu** · 10-11-2015, 19:56

Cheers Guy!

will we see you at NEC?

**Guy Mayers** · 10-11-2015, 20:36

Not this year Tim!

Guy

**Lancialulu** · 09-12-2015, 16:48

Yes Guy. It is taxed so thats the incentive. The sticky throttle cable is interesting as it gives quite a few unintentional kicks in the back.

more interesting is in the little run out I have just done I found it very twitchy as I approached the legal limit. I did not check the geometry/toe in until I was able to drive it, and it feels as the Americans would say - very loose. I suspect incorrect toe in a major contributor and also tyre pressures.

does anyone want to give me some pointers. It is a Transformer with Spyder chassis and 131 hawk uprated uprights, 15 inch wheels with 215 50 14 TB15 front and 295 40 15 TB15's rear. Currently 24psi all round.

**Lancialulu** · 15-11-2015, 17:00

Originally Posted by Lancialulu

I think I have narrowed down the reason not starting when cold.

After thinking about it and opening the lid on the AFM no fault found and air temp sensor worked to spec with a hairdryer and multimeter. Car starts with it unplugged as it demands maximum richness on open circuit.

So round the other side and looked at the coolant sensor which I had read is what is used by the M4.1 to decide injector on duration (richening of mix). The sensor was reading as per spec but when I examined the connector the black earth wire had been sheared in two places near the connector. Ah ha found it, so soldered in a new wire and jumped to start the car. No joy. out with the multimeter and it looks like the signal wire is open circuit somewhere as infinite ohms with the ignition on. A job for another day.......

after a lot of tracing I found the coolant temperature sensor wire open circuit just 5cm from the engine connector. You would not know as the brown pvc insulation was intact. This break was a similar distance as the sheared earth line reported above.

Anyway with everything back together I turned the ignition key and "Shades" fired into life! Yippee....and instant throttle response.

**Guy Mayers** · 15-11-2015, 17:24

Great news Tim! Back on the road soon?

Guy

**john** · 15-11-2015, 19:10

Nicely detected! Not easy to find that kind of problem.

**Lancialulu** · 09-12-2015, 19:08

Initial rough geometry check shows 3mm toe in and 1.5 neg camber on o/s wheel and .5 neg on nearside. Need to get turn tables to check castor....

Not as out as I had hoped....

Dropped front tyre pressure to 22psi. Is this low enough. Tyres I now see are 55 profile not 50 so a bit higher side wall. New and sticky though.

Also lost a litre of water somewhere in 20 odd miles. Explains why the fan came on as I got home but where has this gone as no leaks and engine ran absolutely fine. Could be the last of the air coming through the system while driving???