- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Julian is the new owner of a 1999 1.9 Z3 and recent member of the forum, not being into the mechanics of car ownership he sought help through the forum when he had problems with the car. Help was forthcomming from forum members in the South Wales area close to where Julian resides.
First problem to be sorted was the Central Locking which had failed, online forum diagnostics pointed to the Loom of Doom in the boot/trunk lid having broken wires. Julian brought the car to colb's Zed Shed and investigation commenced on the loom. Stripped back to reveal the individual wires confirmed the forum diagnosis, loads of breaks and a build up of green gunge on the broken ends. Stripped back to clean copper the wires were soldered together and heat shring applied over each joint, loom rewrapped with split plastic conduit and sercured at each end with zip ties, central locking restored to working order.
2nd problem water in the boot/trunk which was easily spotted to be due to a split aerial grommet, the alarm tilt sensor had been submerged in water, Julian had already removed it and we insulated the wiring connector and tucked the wiring out of the way. We will not be replacing the tilt sensor. New grommet obtained from Sopers at Lincoln for just over £10 incl postage including a forum discount applied which undercut those for sale on ebay. Removed the aerial base after disconnecting the wiring, one 10mm nut holds the unit to the car. Pulled down oin the unit after cutting out the hardened old grommet from the hole working from outside the car. New grommet fitted without too much trouble, they are quite tight to get seated in the hole in the wing, a little lubrication with vasaline or sillicon spray will aid fitting it. Make sure the grommet is fully seated in the hole. Refit the unit from inside the boot/trunk by pushing it up through the internal rubber boot and through the wing grommet. put some vaseline or sillicon spray on the grommet and aerial end wich will aid it getting seated in the grommet. The aerial end has a slight rounded end which fits into the inner recess in the grommet, this acts as the upper syupport to the aerial. Be caerful you do not break the top part of the aerial, its plastic and can get brittle. Once seated in the grommet the bottom securing nut was replaced not forgetting the earth connections that are fitted behind the nut. Reconnected the power lead and job completed, dry boot/trunk restored.
3rd problem arose not long after when the iffy window on the hood gave up in the top left corner, Julian decided that it wasn't worth attempting a repair as it was evident that it had been done before. Car booked in to Swansea for a new hood to be fitted by Jack Smith trimmers recommended by forum members.
4th problem which needs investigating is the absence of the ASC dash light illuminating at start up and the fact that the ASC swith fails to light the ASC symbol on the dash. I suspect the bulb burnt out or its been removed to hide a problem. When the hood has been fitted we will be having a look at solving this one.
Plans are afoot to service the car with a change of all oils and filters throughout then we will all know whats in the car and start with a level playing field.
Body work is really sound, just one problem with some peeling of the lacquer on the nearside rear wing tip and boot lid, Julian plans on getting that tidied up.
Will post back as we progress with the car.
First problem to be sorted was the Central Locking which had failed, online forum diagnostics pointed to the Loom of Doom in the boot/trunk lid having broken wires. Julian brought the car to colb's Zed Shed and investigation commenced on the loom. Stripped back to reveal the individual wires confirmed the forum diagnosis, loads of breaks and a build up of green gunge on the broken ends. Stripped back to clean copper the wires were soldered together and heat shring applied over each joint, loom rewrapped with split plastic conduit and sercured at each end with zip ties, central locking restored to working order.
2nd problem water in the boot/trunk which was easily spotted to be due to a split aerial grommet, the alarm tilt sensor had been submerged in water, Julian had already removed it and we insulated the wiring connector and tucked the wiring out of the way. We will not be replacing the tilt sensor. New grommet obtained from Sopers at Lincoln for just over £10 incl postage including a forum discount applied which undercut those for sale on ebay. Removed the aerial base after disconnecting the wiring, one 10mm nut holds the unit to the car. Pulled down oin the unit after cutting out the hardened old grommet from the hole working from outside the car. New grommet fitted without too much trouble, they are quite tight to get seated in the hole in the wing, a little lubrication with vasaline or sillicon spray will aid fitting it. Make sure the grommet is fully seated in the hole. Refit the unit from inside the boot/trunk by pushing it up through the internal rubber boot and through the wing grommet. put some vaseline or sillicon spray on the grommet and aerial end wich will aid it getting seated in the grommet. The aerial end has a slight rounded end which fits into the inner recess in the grommet, this acts as the upper syupport to the aerial. Be caerful you do not break the top part of the aerial, its plastic and can get brittle. Once seated in the grommet the bottom securing nut was replaced not forgetting the earth connections that are fitted behind the nut. Reconnected the power lead and job completed, dry boot/trunk restored.
3rd problem arose not long after when the iffy window on the hood gave up in the top left corner, Julian decided that it wasn't worth attempting a repair as it was evident that it had been done before. Car booked in to Swansea for a new hood to be fitted by Jack Smith trimmers recommended by forum members.
4th problem which needs investigating is the absence of the ASC dash light illuminating at start up and the fact that the ASC swith fails to light the ASC symbol on the dash. I suspect the bulb burnt out or its been removed to hide a problem. When the hood has been fitted we will be having a look at solving this one.
Plans are afoot to service the car with a change of all oils and filters throughout then we will all know whats in the car and start with a level playing field.
Body work is really sound, just one problem with some peeling of the lacquer on the nearside rear wing tip and boot lid, Julian plans on getting that tidied up.
Will post back as we progress with the car.
Just be careful who you get to drain the oil.
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