Messages

Hi Nev,
   
   The only tyres I've managed to find for both front and rear correct sizes are Toyo Proxes. They are fitted to TVRs as well and seem to be of excellent quality. I fitted a set about six months ago and have been very pleased with them. They are commonly available so, if you phone around or go on the internet, you should have no problem finding them! Good luck!
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Nev
   
Hello everyone, as a new owner in the club, I have a few questions, s will. Start with an easy one:
   
   I see that the rear tyres are not available 'off the shelf', so where is the best place to get them ?  I see that the Dunlop 9000 are still made .......
   

Hi Max,
   
   I sent the details a while ago and re-sent them about two weeks ago. Did you receive the email? I'll give you a call this evening to check on progress!
   
   Regards,
   Patrick.
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Max Allan
   
Pat – I have the wiring diagram here waiting to send, but I've not received the email from you with your postal address, even though I sent you an email via the forum with my new address. If you still want the diagram please send your postal address to: maxwellbryn@hotmail.co.uk
   Max
   

Turns out it wasn't the switch but rather the relay that controls the intermittent operation of the wipers. Got one from a scrapyard for £15  and it's done the trick! I'm now going to try substituting the relay in the driver's door to see if that has any effect on the hood operation....that is, if I can find another relay that's the same....
   By the way, did anyone manage to turn up with a copy of the elusive wiring CD?

Hi Tracey,
   
   I'm taking it that the tyres are probably scrap through age - if they are Michelin Pilots there's a good chance that they are too old to be safe even if the tread looks good. There is a date of manufacture on the sidewall of the tyre. Can you give me some idea of the condition of the wheels? For instance, is there bubbling of the paint or damage to the edges of the wheels? Are the plastic pillars on the rear of the wheel centres split? My email address is pandbmoynihan@yahoo.co.uk if you'd like to get in touch with me or my mobile is 07973 268 379 if that is more convenient.
   
   Regards,
   
   Patrick.

Hi Tracey,
   Would you consider selling the wheels and centres on their own rather than as a package with the car?
   Kind regards,
   Patrick.
   
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Tracey
   
The AC Ace Brooklands with a non working roof mentioned by my sister Alison, is for sale.
   I have photos. Condition of bodywork is poor but it's running with MOT to Sept 2012 and Tax March 2012.
   There are a lot of spares to go aswell.
   Full set of wheels, bonnet for South African model,front bumper,some lights and more I can't remember.
   We would like the whole lot taken away,please get in touch.
   tctilley at hotmail.co.uk
   Regards,
   Tracey.
   
   

I am in the process of obtaining quotes for the re-manufacture of a batch of wheel centres for the Brooklands Ace. These are the ones that are 15cm in diameter as per the attached photo. Two options are available, (1) an exact copy in ABS material or (2) turned aluminium which would then need to be sprayed silver to match the wheels. Either option would be made with an improved fixing boss through which the fixing set screw goes. Owners of cars with these particular OZ wheels would be well advised to check that the boss on their existing wheel centres is not splitting away from the rest of the centre. Incidentally, OZ Racing is unable to supply the wheel centre as it is obsolete. I'd very much appreciate it if you could let me know if this is of any interest to you as an Ace owner. The more takers, the lower the end price!
   
   
   

quote:Originally posted by nikbj68
   
And here are 2 of the remaining 3 to compare with!
   
   
   
   

The replacement Mk 3 Granada wiper switch arrived today, but, the intermittent setting on the wipers still doesn't work. Oh well, back to the drawing board......
   Have also just obtained a Peugeot 306 Haynes manual from ebay in the hope that there might be some useful information regarding the hood workings. Hope springs eternal as someone once said......

Hi Max! You're not patronising at all my good friend! It's just that my electrical skills are struggling at the best of times! I'm OK if I can see the bits and pieces, or hear them doing something - it all gets tricky when I don't know where most of the bits are...... Many thanks for sending me your phone number. I'm not sure when the best time is to contact you but I suspect evening time might be the most convenient for you. Anyway, I look forward to talking the electrics through with you - hopefully we'll both end up with a working hood!
   
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Max Allan
   
Sorry Patrick – I didn't mean to appear patronising, but the majority of folk don't seem have much idea how to go about nursing defunct mechanics back to life.
   
   In the light of your problems I tried the hood on my own car yesterday for the first time in many months – low and behold it didn't work.[:0] Only when I raised the cover manually did it function albeit in rather erratic manner. (It is certainly true the hood should only be operated using a fully charged battery or with the engine running, otherwise it's liable to tying itself in knots. However, In my case, operating the hood with engine running I didn't hear the hydraulics continue straining to close the cover when already closed until a "bang" when couple of hinge screws pull out of the cover.[:(!]) However, operating the lift switch I did notice a "click" each time from behind the dash, so suspect there's another relay lurking in there somewhere controlling hood electrics. But it is difficult to advise where to look next without the wiring diagram. I've been promised a replacement for the CD I lent out (never returned), but wait with baited breath for it's arrival! In the meantime, shame no one has sketched the wiring diagram and posted it on the forum.
   
   Regards voltages at fuses, I read 12v both ends of 5 amp fuse, which is a bit of a nonsense, so am inclined to disregard the discrepancy you observed. If it's of any help, later in the week I'll get someone to flick the operating switch while I attempt and identify which wire from switch connects to which terminal on which relay in boot. If you can eliminate the switch as culprit it will save pulling the dash out unnecessarily, although I'd be interested to know myself how it's held in. (Intending to dump the auto box currently fitted, I imported a 6-speed Tremac, but have been partially put off fitting it, by the prospect of removing the dash to get at gear select mechanism.)
   
   Over enthusiastic heater – luck you! Whether hot air or air con cold - never get much of either out of mine.
   

In the goodness knows how many years I've owned this beast, the hood has sometimes co-operated, sometimes not. I've tried almost every position of the hood and the sequence of events, sometimes with success, sometimes not. This time, nothing moves, buzzes, pumps, clicks, hisses or anything of note. Rather like the Monty Python dead parrot sketch in fact. I suspect that some wiring has become dislodged behind the dash, a power feed of some sort. At the moment, I've got the centre panel out and also the screws at either end of the dash. I can't find the remaining fixing points to get fully behind the dash though. Flexing the dash allows a certain amount of access but I'm nervous that something might just go 'bang' under the stress. On top of all the current problems, the heating is grossly over enthusiastic and the clutch judders like nothing on earth on take off. Still love the car though, apart from the wet carpets and water leaks that is.......

Oh! Right then........

Hi Max.
   The wire to the 3 amp fuse is taken from the +ve post of the battery. The wire from the other side of the fuse disappears behind the fuel tank. Should I be measuring the voltage by connecting this second wire through the meter to earth? Car wiring is a bit of a mystery to me so I need all the help I can get. I did rewire a Daimler 420 Sovereign some 16 years ago and everything has worked faultlessly ever since, but I did have a full wiring diagram available![^]
   Unfortunately, it's pouring with rain and the car is in an outside Carcoon so it could be a day or so before I get the chance to look at things again. I've found a new wiper switch (Granada Mk 3) on eBay so will replace the existing (possibly) faulty one which will hopefully remove one problem from the mix! That CD sounds a useful addition to the arsenal - count me in when it becomes available; please let me know payment details!
   
   
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Max Allan
   
Patrick, are you sure you're checking the "live" side of the fuse.  I've never checked voltage at ecu side of fuse, but ecu works on 5v so guess its possible you're measuring leakage across ecu from hydraulic side of mechanism fed via 30 amp fuse.
   

First of all, many thanks to all of you for contributing to this particular thread. Next, Max, I've tested the 3 amp fused circuit to see what I'm getting in the way of voltage, and here are the (confusing) results! Ignition off - battery showing 12.54 volts (been standing for a couple of weeks). With the ignition off, I'm getting 3.54 to 3.62 volts showing at the fuse holder with the fuse out. Ignition on - 3.39 volts across the fuse holder. Engne running gives 6.29 volts at the same fuse holder. The battery is getting 14.6 to 15.2 volts with the engine running. I've checked the fuses behind the centre panel and under the bonnet in the main fuse box but none are blown. I'm now more confused than ever.....!!! Regards, Patrick.

Most kind of you Sir!
   
   I shall take a look at the wiring over the next couple of days to see if there's any current flowing. I suspect not. I'm still fairly convinced that the problem lies behind the dash somewhere.  I've checked the main and subsid fuse boxes and all is in order. Relays are a bit trickier. The key symptom would seem to be that there's no power appearing at the hood up/down switch. I thought of taking a direct feed to the switch to see what happens but I'm not too sure if that's a good idea or not. Any thoughts on that one? Anyway, many thanks for your response. I'll let you know what happens - hopefully it won't be yet another Ace fire......
   
   Regards,
   
   Patrick.
   

quote:Originally posted by Max Allan
   
Oh dear! Think I should have kept my mouth shut – reckon I've forgotten most of what I learnt about the vagaries of Brooklands hood operation. To make matters worse I seem to have lost the CD  I had containing Brookland wiring diagrams - not that I ever found it much use – nothing ever tallied.
   
   Patrick, you say you've checked the 5 amp line fuse, but don't say if you have 12v at the fuse with ignition ON? If yes, problem is likely to be one of the relays or micro switches. If not,  its likely circuit is protected by another fuse in the main fuse box, which has blown (which might explain the loss of intermittent wipers). If you have 12v let me know and I'll put myself on a crash refresher course and hopefully come up with some pointers.
   Cheers
   Max
   

Hi Max,
   I'm hoping your visits are a little more frequent and you pick this message up!
   I have a 1995 Ace and the hood has given up the ghost. The ECU checks out (see my other post to Allison on this) and both fuses are fine (5 amp and 30 amp close to battery). The pump motor is newish, fluid level fine and no leaks. I don't get any of the leds lighting on the dash when the ignition is turned on although they always used to work. The hood operating switch checks out but I'm not getting any power appearing at it for some reason. At the same time as I lost the hood operation, the wipers stopped the intermittent function. Could the two be connected? Does the primary live feed to the hood switch come from the ignition switch? I've yet to take the dash out but I suspect the problem in my case is somewhere there. Any suggestions on dash removal for access would also be welcomed!!
   Thanks for any help!
   Regards,
   Patrick.
   
   
   

quote:Originally posted by Max Allan
   
Hi Alison. I rarely look at the forum these days, so have only just seen your request for info regarding hood problem. Have you sorted the problem?
   My Ace came minus hood and a few years ago I was fortunate in obtaining one. However, fitting and getting it to work proved a major challenge. As a consequence I gained a fair knowledge of its workings. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
   
   Max
   

Many thanks for the suggestion! I'll give them a try and haope that, if they do have one, that it won't need a second mortgage to buy it!
   
   

quote:Originally posted by nikbj68
   
Hi Patrick, and welcome to the forum!
   Steve Gray at AC Heritage/Brooklands Motor Company would be my first stop, good luck!