after the last shockingly poor update
heres a rather sizeable one!

mainly maintinance and upkeeping, but some well placed mods too

ok to start with, an anoying flashing airbag light on my dash wont go off, think my airbag is due replacing, according the the sticker ont he reverse, my passengers one best not need changing as they aint easy to get used, and wil be bloody expensive new!
so ive done the naughty and taken the bulb out, i want one of the sleeker looking airbags the earlier models come with, with no logos on it, but untill then
another was lately after spraying my servo, a ABS warning light has come on, and wont go off, now i removed my ABS when i fitted the 1800 engine, so why is it on?
to avoid looking poo without the light coming on when the handbrake is, i left the ABS sensor system in the car,, which is why it was on...
this little trigger was loose from the switch, so it was taped back up and hidden away once more

Job 2 was i made myself an underbonnet 12v socket
using a spare cig lighter socket from previous cars



im yet to find a blanking plug for this to keep water out of it, one saying "12v power socket" on it
next was this popped through the post after a delay in the postage

i removed the kit from what appears to be a set of 2i dials
nice to have another spare set

glue on the dials though


so in the Si
took mine off and fitted the kit to my clocks, saves explaining and remembering the mileage of the car, bad enough i gotta do it with the engine

used sticky back pads


couldnt be easier to fit, theres only 2 wires to fit
the earth


the remote control

before putting things back together, thought it was about time i made the remote central locking light have a proper home, not just let it hang out the key hole


done


it works!, the other wire, the positive needed to be linked with the pin 13 of the multiplug that fits the back of the dials


short video of the accuracy of the speedo, believe it or not it was bang on, seems ive corrected speedo error too, used to be about a mph out, notice the speed checker on the lamp post saying 30
night picture, i like it set to blue, but can also be on turquoise , and any brightness setting from barely on to bright which it is now

a performance mod


a trip to Bridgend ford after work, saw me a set of wishbone bolts


today i set about swapping the ECU's over
BLOB mk1 mondeo 1.8 one out


DEEP mk1 mondeo 2.0 one in, simple reasons to them who are wondering, the 2.0 is a higher displacement, thus requires more fuel, which has an effect of a higher fuel ratio on a 1.8, producing more power, its similar to the RS1800 map
took it for a spin after refitting my 2.0 MAF sensor, goes much better i noticed quickly, just more power over the whole rev range
best £20 ive spend in regards to power (it was the deposit i left on the Xr2i, which i got back for returning the car)
idles better also, sorted part of the hunting issue ive had for ages
another thing i done today was paint the bonnet vents satin black, gloss didnt suit it at all

the finished result further down
then i got stuck in with the lower arms armed with an impact socket, as in my last attempt a few weeks ago the bolt started rounding and i call it a day
so up she went

the inventory

one worn pattern arm, drivers
the bushes were fine considering, but it almost failed my mot on the balljoint

with a truely knackered boot!, the balljoint was stiff to move, but it has vertical movement, so allowed the suspension to move up and down, thats a no no




the essentials

and fitted with the new bolts/nuts, thanks to my otherhalf for assisting with


gave the calipers a buff while the wheels were off too
and the vents back in




muuuch better
and a small video of the better idle, its still not perfect but an improvement, hopefully it will settle over a few runs in it
this is a speed run up some quite deserted road, so if your going to moan after seing it i suggest you dont click this (this was filmed before the 2.0 ecu
got a mk2 Mondeo brake servo on the way during next week, and a brand new genuine mk3 interior electric mirror panel, ive been without for months
and hopefully some intensive G3 paint renovation going on after payday, watch this...
all for now