New project car in the B'mouth area.

[tandy]

Hi,

After years wanting to start a project car and race it around the Ring, finally took the plunge and bought a 84 2.5 Lux. Have never done anything like this before, so far found the car has the following problems:

1. Won't start without help from a bypass cable to an external battery - Reading through the past threads, looks like I need to check the DME first.
2. The front wipers doesn't work - going to check the fuse.
3. All four tyres need replacing.
4. Aerial is broken
5. Replace the tyres.
6. The paintwork isn't great

Anyone can recommend any places where I could get cheap parts from? Also any good and most important of all any good independent garages around the Dorset area?

Any general advice and recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[DivineE]

You could do a lot worse that to take it to Jon Mitchell garage in Bournemouth. I'm not sure what you mean about the starting issue? DME relay failure usually means the fuel pump wont run so jump starting from another battery would have no effect.

I 'think' what your talking about if you mean connecting a new battery into the car doesn't work but jump starting using an external battery does is probably either the earth strap which failed on my lux and stopped it starting or possible some kind of dodgy immobiliser which usually cuts the earth to the starter motor and your giving it a new earth when your jump starting.

Aerial = remove to save weight and replace with bung. It's a track car
Tyres = Toyo are a safe bet for normal money (try black circles online)
Front wipers = could be something to do with your earthing fault otherwise check ball joint hasn't come apart just under the windscreen. If it has (most likely cause) drill a hole through the ball and cup and use split pin to hold together with washer to stop split pin damaging cup over time.

Welcome to the forum. Well done for choosing an amazing track car. You will enjoy[].

p.s. Always ask here before wasting money on parts without advice.

regards,

Ben

 

[tandy]

Cheers for that.

That's exactly what I mean, the previous owner replaced the main battery but still couldn't start the car. He managed to get the car going by jump starting it from another battery in the boot. By the sound of it does seem it could be an earthing problem. Any idea how much effort is it to replace the earth strap and any recommendations where I get the part from?

Got just under 3 months to get her ready for the Ring and can't wait. I might try and get her ready within 3 weeks to take her around Castle Combe.

Regards,

Tian

 

[DivineE]

The one that snapped on mine linked to somewhere up by the bonnet hinge. I know it was very visible but I don't remember exactly as its different on the 84 lux to my more recent cars which have the battery in the rear arch.

I got a cable from a local GSF I think. They sell generic earth straps you can use for next to nothing, just make sure the fixings on the end are right or usable. Try and find the broken earth if you can that way it'll be a lot easier to help. It should be a big fat cable so it shouldn't be hard to find.

 

[tandy]

Picked up the car today, I was wrong about the lead running from the main battery, it actually comes off the fuel pump to the secondary (spare) battery. When it is drier, I'll have a proper look underneath to check earthing and connection.

Do you know if there is an emergency fuel pump switch in the car?

Thanks,

Tian

 

[Mike_Pollock]

There shouldn't normally be a secondary fuel pump switch, but someone could add 1 as an "immobiliser".
Second battery,just for the fuel pump could indicate DME relay fault - £20 for relay
Welcome to the joys of the 944 world!
Mike