Technical Oh no. MOT time.

[M1kbee]

I've had my multi for nearly a year now and we all know what that means.... Mot time.

With the long list of faults that I have been chasing for the last 12 months I know it is going to fail.

Fingers crossed that the £tag on this one isn't too bad. I would like to start the guessing with £550. Any advances?

 

[widemouthfrog]

What's it going to fail on, then?

 

[minisandfiats]

Mine pleasantly surprised me last month- thought it would fail on rear suspension bushes but they were fine! Needed new rear brake shoes, handbrake cable and a brake cylinder- all done for £200! Not bad I thought.

So you never know it might surprise you...

 

[M1kbee]

Air bag warning is on (tried cleaning the clip under passenger seat)
Rear suspension clunks when going over bumps.
N/S brake light is out and changing the bulb didn't fix it (going to buy another on Monday just in case the one I had under the stairs was crap)
Steering clunks when turned at low speed (I know its not the wishbones as I had that prob with an escort so I know the feel)
Handbrake warning light doesn't work. (Not sure if it is testable but when I changed the lever the replacement didn't have the thing to press the switch so I took it out)

There are a few faults not not worthy which I will get to eventually.

 

[widemouthfrog]

Airbag light - check the connections in the dashboard (passenger side). Pop the cover out of the dash with the 'airbag' stitching on it.

Rear suspension - could be subframe bushes, shot swingarm bearings or possibly the bump stop(s) come adrift.

Steering clunks - does it do it turning left, right or both? When at standstill & moving?

Handbrake - So you've just connected the wire ends & taken the switch out? Not sure if it's needed for MOT.

 

[minisandfiats]

Airbag- my loose connection was in the side compartments in the boot- drivers side. There is an orange connector in the bit you open to change the lights which goes up to the side curtain airbags.

 

[M1kbee]

The steering clunks when stopped or when maneuvering at low speed. Basically when there is the greatest load on the steering.

The handbrake switch was just a screw and a clip. Took it off while I figure out a new way to work it.

As for the airbags. I don't think I have side ones and I didn't know you could get under that part of the dash.

 

[minisandfiats]

What year is it? Think side airbags came in about 2002?

And yes, if you gently prise off the passenger dash cover you can access the airbag connector. Done it to mine when trying to get the airbag light off!

 

[M1kbee]

Its 03. Side airbags usually have cloth tags so you know they are there. Not got them.

 

[M1kbee]

Right. Checked all the airbag connections I can find and the light is still on.
Bulb changed again and still no brake light.
Looks like a definite fail tomorrow because I have to go to work now.
Looks like it could be new car time :-(
I really liked my multi but I can't spend the rest of my life fixing it.
Any more than a £600 bill and it is gone.

 

[minisandfiats]

Take it you haven't tried an OBD cable to find out where the airbag warning is? Might be someone on here local to you who could help?

Brake light switch might be worth a try- not sure where it is, on the pedal?

 

[M1kbee]

Had a Bluetooth obd but I accidentally binned it lest week when clearing rubbish out.

Its only the near side brake light out. Guessing its the wiring somewhere.

 

[Giedriusss]

you have to erase faults of airbag. Without erasing you will always have the error light

 

[M1kbee]

OK....
Emission fail - They said it was borderline but a good run out with some engine cleaner should sort it.
Airbag light - They think its the drivers pre tensioner.
Front brake hoses.
Rear brake imbalance.

Excluding the airbag thing roughly £200. I need to phone their electrician for the airbag thing for a proper diagnostic.

 

[minisandfiats]

Doesn't sound too bad- price seems fair for brake work (depends on parts for rear I guess!)

Bet you're glad steering was ok, just as I was with my rear suspension!

So was brake light ok then?

 

[M1kbee]

I've had 2 bulbs in the brake light and it hasn't sorted it. Going to let them have a poke about and see what it is.
Got an auto electrician coming Saturday morning to diagnose the airbag fault.

 

[M1kbee]

All done for a total of £210. Unfortunately it has now created a new problem.
Because the previous owner was a super mong I now need 4 new wheel hubs. One each wheel they have forced an incorrectly sized bolt in buggering up the thread. I have been told by my garage, (and I trust these people to be honest as they have been for years), next time a wheel has to come off the hub will probably need replacing.