MFA/Dash Success! (limited)

Yeeeehar!

The MFA works - a bit.

The vacuum pipe between the intake manifold and econometer had melted. Reconnected it…but no joy at first.

Then I noticed a plug nestling under the econometer that had been disconnected. Reconnected it and - the little yellow light flashes to say when to change gear!  

big smiles all round

The digital econometer appears to be showing something more sensible as well - a drive will test this once I've refitted a new front bumper/indicators etc. The oil pressure buzzer also works - although it's connected to a push/pull switch - anyone else got one of these? Does it just switch the buzzer off when it gets too annoying?

I still have the gearbox without the gearchange sensor though - does anyone know whether this is a straight on/off switch that breaks/makes contact when changing gear, or whether it's a more complicated variable resistor?

Delving behind the dash has also revealed why everything is so dim at night - 1.2W bulbs all round, with one or two blown (the one behind the heater panel is most sorely missed). Time for an order to VW for 2W bulbs all round - many thanks for the part numbers list posted elsewhere on the forum!

AliCabrio

Ali,  gear box switches are simple make/break.  One pair of contact joined for reverse and another pair for 5th.

That easy?

The conector to the gearbox has had the two wires for reverse chopped off and reattached to the reverse switch on the replacement (?) gearbox, (hence the reversing lights working) the connector is just hanging free in the engine compartment with two wires going in to it.

If they're only connected when in fifth gear…..hmmm could be time for an OVERDRIVE button on the dashboard. That should frighten a few passengers….

Erm - but where does the needle of the analogue econometer get its power from? I've not driven around with the newly fixed MFA - will the needle suddenly appear or should I give up on it?


Ali

I was under the impression that the "needle" was a simple vacuumm gauge calibrated to read in MPG and attached to the absolute manifold vacuumm tube - dunno if it takes a live feed from somewhere else aswell.

Sounds like at some point in the past the wiring loom on your motor has really been hacked to pieces by some who didn't really know what they were doing.

Yeah the needle is vac fed when a solenoid valve is opened (operated by the gearbox switch) when in 5th.

You usually can't see the needle unless you are in 5th.

Tell me about it

A new radio has been plumbed in using those little blue squeeze and a prayer connectors. The dash was held in by at best half of the original connectors - I've been raiding boxes of screws for replacements. It would not surprise me if the needle on the econometer has fallen or been pulled off - I'm building up my courage to tackle that one. Once the jubilation about the little yellow flash (ooh!) has worn off…..

Mind you - I've tracked the source of water in the boot (!) to the leaking rear window in the hood - that's just the simple matter of a new soft top :roll:

A ha!

The econometer only works in fifth - I knew Luc Besson's film being on last night was a sign.

SO - If I connect the two wires in the gearbox socket permanetly - the needle will work permanently (if innacurately in anything other than fifth)?!

 

My day is complete

Cheers - I better do some work now


Ali

Ali - yep that's right

AliCabrio said

Mind you - I've tracked the source of water in the boot (!) to the leaking rear window in the hood - that's just the simple matter of a new soft top :roll:

see Hood Saga

Cheers prowler

Read the hood saga with avid interest.

Saving up for a new one at the moment.

I don't currently have access to a garage so I'm looking forward to taking the old hood off with baited breath…. will it/wont it fall apart in a rusty mess?

I'll report back on how it goes

Ali