Technical Last Road Rat Progress Update For Now

[default_user]

Until a decision is reached re where to post build updates I'll carry on putting them in the main forum.



Over the last couple of days I've been working on the wiring, interior and dashboard.

All of the wiring is now connected up and most things seem to work, however, there are some things that are driving me crazy.

Electrically, the following won't work:

Hazard lights (this is ongoing from the last time, still can't get them to work).
Interior light.
Handbrake light on dashboard.
Horn.

Two of them I'm not fussed about but the other two are required to pass the MoT. I've spent so much time trying to fix these that it's slowing the build down to a glacial crawl. I'm now seriously thinking about just paying an auto electrician to sort them out for me.

As for the interior, I've now trimmed the panel I made for the dashboard with dark grey carpet and fitted it, along with the instrument binnacle and air ducting for the windscreen. I've also fitted the steering column cowl and associated switchgear and steering wheel. The steering wheel is from an old Cinquecento. Just a standard one but I like it much better than the Panda item.

Lastly, the floor is now permanently fitted and sealed and the mounting bar for the lower harness mounts is bolted in. Oh, and I've fitted an aerial in readiness for when I install a head unit.

Only a couple of pictures to show for all the work of the last couple of days and they're both of the dashboard from either side.

 

[CLXCraig]

Looking good Rick.

Re the electrical problems, do the indicators work?

Did the horn work beofre you changed the steering wheel?

What are the interior plans? carpet seats....

Is there much left to do that is "MOT criteria"?

Im sure amongst us we can help you get it sorted.

Craig

 

[default_user]

Thanks Craig.

I posted about the hazards last time but didn't manage to sort it. Yes, the indicators work and I've tried changing the hazard switch but that hasn't helped. I'll try the relay next. I would have this time but got fed up with it and worked on other stuff instead.

Have also tried the horn a fair bit with both the old steering wheel and the new, and by just shorting out the contacts with the steering wheel off. No joy. It's not earths either, tried those too.

As for the interior I plan on making plywood panels as I did for the dash and trimming them with the same dark grey carpet, which will also go on the floor. To break up the darkness a bit I'm going to make new door cards and trim them in the same light grey material as the headlining. The seats I have for it are bucket seats in black and red, with red 3 point harnesses. These are ready to bolt in.

I also plan on making a centre console to house the head unit and any auxiliary switches/instruments I might add in the future. Definitely want a rev counter in there somewhere.

MoT wise, I think I have everything else covered but a real MoT will obviously show me if I'm wrong. If it fails though, it can be fixed.

 

[CLXCraig]

Have you checked the horn itself? could be buggered if its been sat damp.

Sounds good for the interior!. def like the idea of two tone greay with buckets! You've, got plenty to play with for a centre console, sure you'll come up with something good. If you do make you, could you not bya new horn system, and have the switch on the centre console? or does it have to be opn the wheel/controls for the MOT to pass?

You can pick horn kits up for ~£20 probs less from halfords/ebay - Might be a less agonising option.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Regarding hazzard switch. Remove the plug on left (if looking at switch from front). Should be 4 contacts iirc. 1,2,3,4 (not numbered like that, but you'll see why I've put that in a min).

In turn put the ignition on and indicate left and right. When doing this get a circuit tester and check your getting a 'indicating/pulsing' current to either 1&3 or 2&4 (I forget which way around it is).

If for example its 1&3, you'll 1 flashing for one dirrection switched and 3 for the other.

Check this is working correctly.

Then check power is coming to the switch constantly (on the plug to the right (if looking at switch)

As for horn (assuming they've used a Panda wiring loom) the horn is -ve switched. Means the switch earths it (sorry if it sounds like I'm trying to teach you how to suck eggs if you do already know what I'm on about ). Thus there should upon checking the horn be a live feed into it, and upon the horn not being faulty, a live feed out of it.

Interior light, horn and hazzards are the only none igntion switched circuit though, so I'd have thought that there is something wrong with power. Either from or to fuse box. Does the clock work

Jon.

P.s, I recognise that hazzard light switch

 

[default_user]

Thanks Jon. I'll try your suggestions. Funnily enough, the clock doesn't work. I forgot to include that in my list. Are you suspecting something I may have missed on a fundamental level? I hope so.

The horn itself is fine as I've tried connecting it directly to the battery with a couple of lengths of wire. Seems there is no power getting to it when I press the switch on the steering wheel.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hiya Rick. Sounds like main power supply then as they're all off of the same fuse iirc.

Might be worth checking connections at the back of the fuse box/board as I have had connection problems with the rear screen heater relay at the back of the one of the 750L.

See what that turns up

Jon.

 

[default_user]

Back in Wales now. The Rat is tucked up for another few weeks/months until I next get the chance to work on it. Overall I did make progress but not as much as I'd have liked. In the meantime I'll be collecting some things I need between now and then. Look out in the Wanted section as I'll be posting my wants in there soon. I'm kicking myself that I've thrown out some of the MK1 bits I didn't think I'd need for the interior. I tried fitting the sun visors from the car I broke for the parts the other day and they're too wide! They interfere with the mirror and stick out of the side when folded up. I'm presuming the MK1 items were a bit more basic. It would be handy to have the measurements to compare.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

There were two types of visors (size wise) fitted to mk2 Panda's. The types you can put against the door to stop the sun coming in from the side are wider than the fixed possition ones.