James' 1995 Manual CDX V6 Saloon

[humbucker]

Eek! Don't worry, there's probably nothing to worry about if the car has sailed through its MOT.

[humbucker]

Is it a requirement to change the dryer when replacing the condenser? I've just bought a new condenser for my MV6 (update to follow) and thought I might be able to use the old dryer. I'm not so convinced now that I've seen your post and had a scout around other forums for info. Only about £30 for the replacement part, but can do without shelling out unless I have to.

[James McGrath]

Is it a requirement to change the dryer when replacing the condenser? I've just bought a new condenser for my MV6 (update to follow) and thought I might be able to use the old dryer. I'm not so convinced now that I've seen your post and had a scout around other forums for info. Only about £30 for the replacement part, but can do without shelling out unless I have to.

You're supposed to do it but I don't think it's a necessity.

[James McGrath]

Right then.

Here is the dash with clocks removed, oh look, wires.




As we can see, bulb number 19 is missing, yay!




Essential supplies from Halfords:




Turned the engine on and sure enough, the light is permanently on.
This is extra specially annoying as the MOT is due on the 7th so I have to get this fixed by then.




Clocks back in place:




Time for a paperclip test!




I'm getting 3 codes and luckily they are all easy fixes.

13 - O2 sensor, had this one before.
14 - Coolant temperature sensor, that might explain why it overheated!
16 - Knock sensor rear bank, I'm hoping this is easy to get to.

All in all, not what I wanted to see but it could have been worse.

[James McGrath]

Hang on, just rechecked it and it's code 144 not 14.
144 is no immobiliser signal.

Which makes much more sense as it would be a bit odd to remove the dash light just for some sensors.
My guess is something went wrong with the immobiliser years ago, couldn't afford/be bothered/couldn't get hold of parts so removed the dash light.
Since then the O2 sensor and knock sensor have packed up but as there was no EML light there was no way of knowing.

Anyway, I've already ordered an O2 sensor and a knock sensor, both Bosch parts, which I'll fit when they arrive.
Now I've got the delightful job of finding out what's wrong with the immobiliser.
I remember how much trouble Dave had with that on his V6 so I'm not looking forward to that job.

[humbucker]

On the plus side, the knock sensor is easy enough to fix, although IIRC, the required routing of the wiring means that it needs to go in and around the alternator in order to be protected by the rear heat shield. I replaced the same part on my V6, was an 'under the car (and lots of swearing)' job.

[James McGrath]

Yeah, hopefully I can do those two jobs myself in time.

I know someone local who is good with electrics. Hopefully they an diagnose what's wrong with the immobiliser.

[humbucker]

The new issue of Straight Six News arrived on my doorstep this morning. There's a nice pic of your V6 included in the magazine's VBOA National Rally coverage.

[James McGrath]

The new issue of Straight Six News arrived on my doorstep this morning. There's a nice pic of your V6 included in the magazine's VBOA National Rally coverage.

Awesome! Is there any way that I could get a copy?

[humbucker]

I'll send you mine if you like. Drop me a PM with your address.

That's your car appearing in two magazines in as many months! Where will it pop up in October?!

[Lowrider Dave]

There's a nice pic of your V6 included in the magazine's VBOA National Rally coverage.

Nice! Mine never got in print! Good luck with those sensors.

[James McGrath]

Well, it's booked in for an MOT on Monday and neither part has arrived yet.
I'm beginning to panic now, I don't think it's going to pass emissions without that O2 sensor.

[Robsey]

Here's hoping for a Saturday morning postal parcel.

These last minute panics keep things interesting.


You'll be fine.

[James McGrath]

You were right Robsey, post! Hussar!




Right now I've got to get them fitted after work tomorrow before it gets dark.

[James McGrath]

Right, the O2 sensor is on!

I sprayed the old one with WD40 last night in preparation.
Obviously it did the trick as it came of without a fuss.

Here's hoping it's enough to get it through the MOT tomorrow...

[Lowrider Dave]

Fingers crossed.

[James McGrath]

Bugger...

[tonyo]

Oh... What's the score?

Not too bad I hope..

[James McGrath]

Funnily enough nothing that I thought it would be. The emissions were fine thank god and the EML light is just an advisory.

It failed on:
-Number plate lamp
-N/S indicator repeater
-Battery insecure
-O/S Headlamp aim - This is the headlamp itself not the aim, basically I need a new one.
-Radius arm ball joint dust cover

Advisories:
-EML light
-Exhaust gas leak from the back box
-slight oil leak
-N/S rear tyre worn on inner edge

All niggly things really. Still annoying though.

[tonyo]

Bulbs and headlamps are easy tasks..
Battery insecure? Hmm, has it lost the clamp?
Radius Arm Dust cover.. In English, I guess is the lower balljoint. Two options there then, either a new lower arm or repalce the balljoint. Not too hard.

As you say, all niggly..

[James McGrath]

Yeah, the bolt that holds the little battery clamp plate thingy in place broke when I tried to unscrew it a few month ago.
I had forgotten about it until today.

I still have the plate, I just need to drill out the remains of the old bolt and put in a new one.

Yeah I thought exactly the same thing when I saw "radius arm dust cover".
Think I may just get two new ones as they both look a bit long in the tooth.
Anyone know who made the original parts? I've seen some Delphi ones for a reasonable price.

[tonyo]

The choice is getting narrower, I've had some decent stuff from Delphi, and a bit of a nightmare with Delpi Wishbone bushes for the Astra (two garages have tried and failed to pull or push them in).


Personally, I'd just throw a pair of complete wishbones on. If the balljoints are old and getting tired, then the other mounts and bushes are too..

From recollection, new balljoints are about a tenner a side, and a complete wishbone is only about twenty quid.. I can't speak from direct experience though, as 'Pete's Parts Store' supplied mine in the end.

The only other thing to remember is if you do the whole wishbone, you need to put new inserts in them before you fit. They are available from GPS still, at about 60p each IIRC..

[James McGrath]

How many new inserts will I need?
is 90250709 the right part number?

[tonyo]

You'll need four. Googling the part number throws up pictures of the right little things.

Just before I sell you down completely the wrong road.. The V6 doesn't run different parts, does it? All my experience is on a 2.0.

[James McGrath]

That's a good point. The wishbones themselves are different on the V6.