its a great car BUT.........

[mikal83]

Just bought an '84 280i.
Great to drive, still getting the flies out of my teeth.... BUT, have found the following defects.

Brake lights dont work, I dont care, but the asshole behind may.
Not ALL the interior dash lights FULLY light up.
Handbrake only just comes on.
Stereo, really sux.
Main headlights vibrate, makes my head spin.

Thats it at the mo.
Can you PHers out there give a numpty a hand.
Is there a haynes manual?? Or can I get a 280i workbook??

HELP

mIKE

[Pettsie]

Get the wedge bible from Steve Heath. He posts on here also. 'Shpub'.

[mikal83]

RODG THAT ONE

[wedg1e]

If that's all that's wrong with it, you've got off lightly.

You can get by if you borrow or scrounge the Ford Granada or Capri 2.8i manuals (front suspension, brakes, engine and gearbox), Triumph TR7 (lights, some electrical bits), Jaguar XJ6 (differential and rear brakes). The rest is a bit like a Meccano set...

Ian

[mikal83]

had a dig in the boot/trunk area. found out why the radio sucked.........
The flipping coax lead was disconnected !

Wheres the fuze box???

[mikal83]

had a dig in the boot/trunk area. found out why the radio sucked.........
The flipping coax lead was disconnected !

Wheres the fuze box???

[danny hoffman]

The fuse box is under the glove box (behind a flap in the carpet)

The handbrake - don't expect miracles!

[gemini]

which one did you buy in the end
Picture?

[mikal83]

from wire wheel, the silver one.
Oh and the boot/trunk catch is shot, or is that shit....
but boy it sounds like a heck of a car

[grady]

Looks like a nice one. Don't worry about the boot lid, it stays down by itself and there is no room with the top off. (I never lock mine b/c I'm aready out of the car b/f I remember to turn the key back on and then hit the lock switch.) Can't wait to hear about your "blows cold" a/c in the Tampa humidity!

[gemini]

love it and live with it

Itll grow on you like a second skin

welcome to TVR land

[bobble350]

danny hoffman said:
The handbrake - don't expect miracles!

I think it's described as a "parking brake" since it will spit the pads out if you pull it when on the move.
It'll need adjustment every month if you want the car to hold still on a slight incline. Has anyone come up with a spring affair yet to hold the pressure on the pads when you let go of the parking brake handle?

[danny hoffman]

I fitted a few spring washers at the end of the cable on my 280 to try and overcome the lack of teeth on the rachet - not sure if it was my imagination but it seemed to help

[shpub]

grady said: Looks like a nice one. Don't worry about the boot lid, it stays down by itself and there is no room with the top off.

Depends how fast you go. I had the boot lid ripped off the 520 at Goodwood on the straight at about 100+ mph. I had forgotten to shut it. Broke the hinges and gas strut.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[mikal83]

The left gas piston is leaking a tad, so will try and get a new one, as well as a new lock for the boot/trunk.
The A/C works great and is quite cold, but its "only" high 80's, but the love bugs are out and it takes 20 mins to get them out of my teeth.
Have found the fuzes.........what contortionist put them there.....anyway, which is which. Need to find the brakelight fuze..........
Mike

[tasmin83]

A suggestion: join the TVR Car Club North America and order the parts and service manuals from their regalia department, which contain, among other things, the layout of the fuses and relays. Also, as one other mentioned, be sure to get Steve Heath's Wedge Bible. These things will help make life with your new wedge much easier.