Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[russ92xmsed]

I am listening to all advice. might as well start with the simplest checks first.

[Dieselman]

When it doesn't start, connect a wire from the solenoid trigger terminal to battery +ve. This eliminates everything other than the solenoid and motor.

[russ92xmsed]

Ah.. Right will keep that in mind.

Well today I grabbed 5 mins at lunchtime and took off what I thought is the starter relay and cleaned up the prongs.
Refitted and it started instantly. Wether this continues is another matter of course.

[Dean]

I found the plug decays worse than the legs of the relay, if they were clean it probably isn't the problem.

D

[russ92xmsed]

The relay prongs were quite cruddy Dean. I filed them clean but didn't get to check the plug, all in a rush when I did it, but will do tomorrow. I'll also clean up all the others too whilst I'm at it.

[White Exec]

Relay sockets of various types are available from Conrad Electronics.

[russ92xmsed]

Not much to report recently. Tweaked the fuel pump cold idle setting again, and the hot needs turning down a tad, but otherwise all running okay. Got the MOT looming soon, and a service needs to be done ideally next month. But I have worked out only the oil, filter and ATF need doing. Done everything else.

The alarm works..and rather well too! Cor it's a loud one! I was topping up the washer fluid this evening, after spending all day de mucking the c5.....that car was in a state. Anyway, accidentally left one corner of the XM's bonnet unlatched, locked the car and and as I was walking back to the house, I had a little notification from said XM that all was not well. First time I have heard that alarm. Good to know it all works, very well too.


Oh! ...there is one thing that is driving me mad.... The binnacle buzzes like a deranged bee . So some dampening material needs to be inserted to stop that. Bad enough with the rear arm rest covers rattling, don't need that too.

[ragger]

The crosses we have to bear!!

Pleased all is going well for you. It is such a good looking car - I love the V6 but grey is so boring!

[russ92xmsed]

I know, I know Rob.... Such travesties!

I have to say, Mandarin is one of my favourite XM colours. I do like very much. But I do like your silver on the Mk2.
Well we will see when it had it's MOT. Might not be so positive then!!

[russ92xmsed]

On my drive over to the X rally, the binnacle thought it would be a great idea to buzz nearly all the way there. Which for me was two and a half hours. and yes it could be heard over music!

So enough is enough. And this is what I have done in the attempt to stifle the annoyance.
I have stuffed the lip cavity with a high density rubber foam packing. Taped in place. It wedged itself in nicely actually. This is where the main buzzing was coming from. I also placed on the bottom lip that tucks under the dash, a new strip of neoprene rubber. It's only a few mm thick, but that might also help to dampen creaks and buzzing. So hopefully this little bodge might do the trick. Will find out soon enough.