oldginger

Hi, the saga of my voyager is over because all those car techies advertising their wonderful talents for fixing all things electrical cant reset my ecu so my voyager has been scraped. I shall never own a modern computerised piece of junk again. The lap top I am using now is constantly updating resulting in having to reset all sorts of things. I have been putting up with B.S. Britain since that idiot Blair became  chief idiot. I have two good classic cars that run well and are easy to fix, so happy days on the transport front. I just need to go retro in other ways. The stow-n-go is a very good design  and  a good practical car with good road manners. Its let down like all modern cars is computerised technology that's sort of ok in an office but totally useless in a metal box that's subject to all kinds of weather and temperature conditions, add to that wires that are only suitable for a model railway and there's the recipe for endless problems. You don't have to agree with me just check out the amount of fairly new cars for sale with electrical problems on line and on the forums. I just remembered  that I am just 6ft away from a 1959 radiogram identical to the one my wife and I sat and played records on when we where courting, still have big collection of vinyl. The Voyager packed just before she died. Omen maybe, Thanks to you all for your help and suggestions, stay safe and I wish you well for the future, take care regards Roy.
 
 

Hi gordy, according to the guy that repaired it the only damage was to some printed circuits and they have been repaired and tested. He could not test the main program, with out the Chrysler security program. it can only be done in the car. Catch 22, Finding some one with the gear and knowledge to use it is the problem. The Jeep dealer in Swindon can help but It will cost because I will have to transport it. It could cost quite a lot more to find the problem and fix it. Catch 22 again. A lovely car like many others ruin by the computer generation because they think its the answer to everything. One day they will realise they have gone to far. I have not given up just yet but my patience is getting quite short now. That aside stay safe everyone, regards Roy.

Hi gordy, yes everything is doing what its supposed to do,but of course the ecu was damaged by a 12v spike and has had the damaged circuits repaired and tested as far as possible, but the crunch time for a full test is when its back on the car and started. Some advisors have said that it should fire right up but nothing happened.it turned over good but it did not fire. I am sure I need someone with the right gear to test it and there's the rub. So far no one around here wants to touch it. I have a couple more calls to make so I may still get lucky. At least my classic Rover and Maxi are going fine. Looks highly likely it will go for spares repair after Christmas if I have no luck. Since 1998 when I bought my Range Rover P38 every car I have owned since then has had electrical problems to some extent. I have been looking at classic cars for quite a while and have now taken the plunge. No computers, no aircon, power steering ,electric windows  or anything else much. Just happy old fashioned motoring and cars that have to be driven. Since my wife passed in September I have found something to really smile about and although it can't replace her it is good fun and lots of people stop for a chat. I hope we all have a happy Christmas despite all that's going on and maybe I will find some to at least test my Voyager. Happy Christmas To  All, Regards Roy.

OK guys, anyone following my Voyager problems will know my affection for the Maxi. Today I purchased one in reasonable condition. !976 with full history  and historic status. I also purchased 3 weeks ago a 1991 Rover 214 sohc 8v carburettor model. They both have the same things in common. Muscle toning steering, windows etc, no central locking or immobiliser and above all else NO  NAFF COMPUTER. Still waiting for some competent auto tech to fix my Voyager, in the mean time I am enjoying real motoring, and with all the things that's happened to me this year this touch of happy days is very welcome. Stay safe, regards Roy.
 
 

OK guys, anyone following my Voyager problems will know my affection for the Maxi. Today I purchased one in reasonable condition. !976 with full history  and historic status. I also purchased 3 weeks ago a 1991 Rover 214 sohc 8v carburettor model. They both have the same things in common. Muscle toning steering, windows etc, no central locking or immobiliser and above all else NO  NAFF COMPUTER. Still waiting for some competent auto tech to fix my Voyager, in the mean time I am enjoying real motoring, and with all the things that's happened to me this year this touch of happy days is very welcome. Stay safe, regards Roy.
 
 

Hi Rab, thanks for the support. Daughter still unwell but I and many of my neighbours  have got a repeating stomach bug problem. I guess its that time of year. Two weeks before my wife past away I went to move the car and it just would not start. This had not happened in the previous 14 months of ownership. I joined the forum after purchase and set about giving the car a full mechanical over haul. £1700 later job done and all the cars known foibles have been sorted. The only upgrade not done is the battery box. I have a new red top that has been performing well. I know a local auto electrician who came out and diagnosed a damaged ECU. He sent it away and it was repaired and tested as far as it could be. Apparently it can only be really tested in the car. The problem is the auto man took ill and testing showed he could not work any more(he is 70). I have contacts, friends and the forum looking for some one with the knowledge and expertise in the Cheltenham area to get it started. Many on the forum especially Andy thinks the 12v spike that caused the problem was the alternator, this has been replaced. The car has had some basic circuit tests but a knowledgeable person needs to be present with the right gear when the battery is reconnected. Everyone so far as not wanted to touch it. The car is in good order and far to good to scrap. It is a stow n go and until this, I believed it was the best car I had owned, but, like every car I have owned since the early nineties computer electrical faults have ruined them. I have purchased a 1991 sohc 8v Rover 214 with no ECU, power steering, electric windows, air con. central locking, just a radio cassette. I am going to see the most practical and easy to maintain car I have owned, I know my wife would approve and I wish she was here to see and decide at last that this a good one. 1976 Austin Maxi 1750. People who have read my topics would probably know this and I have my fingers crossed. I still want to fix the Voyager and may have to sell as spares repair. That's the position so far, if anyone has any idea's they are great fully received. Stay safe, and look after yourselves, Regards Roy.

Hi all, I have just finished refitting my rebuilt ECU and exchange alternator plus some basic circuit testing. I have to now find a good mobile auto electrician with diagnostic knowledge to help get it started or it will go for spares ,repair losing me lots of time and money. Daughters cancer op. postponed due to stomach bug and youngest sons marriage has broke up. What a !!!!!!!!!!! year. I still cannot get an answer to ( how does a covid 19 germ know it has to die at 2 metres distant?) and after spending millions on field hospitals some idiot expert decides to put people with an infectious and incurable decease into the general hospital population putting all staff and existing patients at risk as well as closing cancer and other serious illness units leading to premature deaths and it still goes on. Enough of that. if anyone knows a good mobile auto electrician in the Cheltenham area please let me know, regards to all and stay safe Roy. 

Hi all, I have just purchased an exchange alternator from the outfit as used by soupstone, thanks for that. In the meantime between the rubbish weather that's forecast in the coming days I will attempt to do some wiring checks.I live on a park home site and broken down cars sat on drives for too long is frowned upon,so I have got to look busy.I will keep you all informed but all ideas are much welcome as stated before. Just heard from my daughter grandsons operation successful may home tonight or tomorrow morning. Maybe things are on the turn for the better. Got to keep positive,stay safe everyone,regards Roy.

Sorry for delay in update, busy with wife's illness. Car tech checked out car on Wednesday afternoon and just had to be the main ECU. He has sent it away to be repaired by a close mate whom he trusts. I will update when it is refitted. 

Sorry for delay in update, busy with wife's illness. Car tech checked out car on Wednesday afternoon and just had to be the main ECU. He has sent it away to be repaired by a close mate whom he trusts. I will update when it is refitted. 

HI. On reflection it has only been the temp. gauge that has moved up and down. Apologies for a misleading statement, heads a bit messed up, so to clarify, it turns over really good and all gauges are ok except the temp. gauge that slowly moves up about a 5 millimetres and then settles back when key is first turned. I find it strange that it was ok earlier in the day and later it just would not fire, and still does not fire. Modern cars and their stupid computers, ugh. Just tried it this morning and still no joy not that i expected any. Back to nursing, I hope I will find more time to have a play later.

Hi, everyone. I purchased my 55 plate 2.8 GV stow n go at the end of June 2019 breaking all the rules but I got it quite cheap. I had been reading this forum for some time because I really fancied one of  the stow n go's, Right to the point. full service ,new cambelt kit including water pump and pulley's. Because of the high mileage 189k I decided to research various fuel additives and came across Archoil. I have found this treatment excellent and it does what it says on the tin. The dreaded hand brake problem is sorted and works well, not without much hassle. The car came with new top hats discs and shoes and pads. Whoever fitted these items used the  old springs which was a big mistake. It appears thorough cleaning. appropriate greasing and new spring kit is a must. A full clean and greasing of the handbrake and clockspring was a nightmare but it was worth it. I found a mass of photos on line showing the different handbrake systems.The coolant system  was flushed on 3 separate occasions and with the thermostat mod new pressure cap it appears to have improved. Passed mot Friday 29 May with no advisories and what had I done to keep the emissions so low on a high mileage engine. The car drive and behaves impeccably and I love the versatility. I don't understand the complaints about fuel consumption because after a lifetime of artic trucking experience if driven correctly its fine. This forum has been a great source of help and information thanks to all. Once again folks look after your car and it will look after you. Look after yourselves, Oldginger.

Hi, everyone. I purchased my 55 plate 2.8 GV stow n go at the end of June 2019 breaking all the rules but I got it quite cheap. I had been reading this forum for some time because I really fancied one of  the stow n go's, Right to the point. full service ,new cambelt kit including water pump and pulley's. Because of the high mileage 189k I decided to research various fuel additives and came across Archoil. I have found this treatment excellent and it does what it says on the tin. The dreaded hand brake problem is sorted and works well, not without much hassle. The car came with new top hats discs and shoes and pads. Whoever fitted these items used the  old springs which was a big mistake. It appears thorough cleaning. appropriate greasing and new spring kit is a must. A full clean and greasing of the handbrake and clockspring was a nightmare but it was worth it. I found a mass of photos on line showing the different handbrake systems.The coolant system  was flushed on 3 separate occasions and with the thermostat mod new pressure cap it appears to have improved. Passed mot Friday 29 May with no advisories and what had I done to keep the emissions so low on a high mileage engine. The car drive and behaves impeccably and I love the versatility. I don't understand the complaints about fuel consumption because after a lifetime of artic trucking experience if driven correctly its fine. This forum has been a great source of help and information thanks to all. Once again folks look after your car and it will look after you. Look after yourselves, Oldginger.

Hi, only just picked up this topic. I read lots of topics during my research into replacing the battery that came with my GV. Where I live is a very well known battery supplier and everyone I consulted pointed me that way. Without hesitation he recommended a red top and in the time he has sold them he has not had any complaints. It has performed very well and my trips are usually local & sometimes days apart. I bought my battery back in early November so a few cold spells and my very old Exide battery tester shows all's well. I will let the forum know the minute there's any change. I think I bought my car around the same time as you, broke all the rules, but touch wood I seem to have done well. There are obviously common niggles but the forum sure helps. A couple of Austin Maxi's have come up lately but she who must be obeyed says " your too old to mess with cars" so "NO". Soooo easy to work on Issigonis the working mans designer. Love the Voyager though. All the best.

Thanks legonsuk, good video. The reason I asked is I read somewhere that cgv's had tamper proof electrics to prevent hot wiring etc. and that an appropriate control box was required with any aftermarket fittings, it seems not so. This means I will be fitting my sensors asap. Many thanks.

Copy and paste this into youtube  Telecastvids i think its the third video down might help m8.

Hi, the mechanic that did the work on my car is very good and keenly priced. I was introduced to him about 18 months ago when my heath took a turn for the worst. He like me is old school, but being in his late 30's / early 40's is young enough to have kept up with the new and not necessarily better b/s under the bonnet. He does exactly what I ask for. I supplied the oil (Castrol Magnatec 10/40 fully synthetic), all the parts,and he did the work. I never gave the antifreeze a thought. I took the car to him today and right there and then he went through it. Everything is ok. Whilst he checked the car over just inside his unit I suddenly noticed the temp gauge had moved to spot on half way and I put the adjusters on high and turned the blower to full. Hayho! nice warm air. what can I say after all my phaffing, um not a lot. It did cool down after a couple of minutes but it was around 22 degrees outside and quickly got warmer in the car. My mechanic friend then tried to explain the vagaries of climate control. He's got no chance, I am 71 next month and beyond repair mentally but I am still physically reasonably mobile. I have ordered some HOAT 05  and he will do the work when it arrives, and yes he uses a general OAT coolant. I will do the mods in time and once again many thanks for the help. Love this car ,but still prefer the simplicity and versatility of an Austin Maxi.(clutch renewal 35 minutes tops, head gasket under a hour etc, etc).One of most media maligned cars ever. All in my opinion of course. Once again Many thanks.

Hi, just joined the forum. I broke almost every rule in the book by buying a 2005 gv with 187000 miles, no service history. I did test drive it and it had a late June  mot. I've had new cam belt and aux. belts fitted + full service. I have researched these cars for quite a while so had a little knowledge when buying. This forum has been very useful already and I hope to sort out a couple of niggles in the near future. I and my family love this car already,its a stow- n- go 2.8 crd. Thanks to all contributors,Oldginger.