Austin FX4 taxi
Discussion
Looking for any helpful information but most importantly a manual with wiring diagrams and information on the workings of the electrical system of an Austin FX4 taxi vehicle. What are the common gremlins, weak points that need tending to?
Are parts still good to come by like the usual rubbers and such and if so where to look for reasonably priced items?
Are parts still good to come by like the usual rubbers and such and if so where to look for reasonably priced items?
I am so gifted it amazes me. I typed "FX4 wiring diagram" into my browser and this came up:-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=FX4+wiring+diagr...
Then I exploded into a supernove and typed "Austin FX4 spares" into my browser and came up with this:-
http://www.londontaxigroup.com/catalog/london-taxi...
Incredible!
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=FX4+wiring+diagr...
Then I exploded into a supernove and typed "Austin FX4 spares" into my browser and came up with this:-
http://www.londontaxigroup.com/catalog/london-taxi...
Incredible!
lowdrag said:
I am so gifted it amazes me. I typed "FX4 wiring diagram" into my browser and this came up:-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=FX4+wiring+diagr...
Then I exploded into a supernove and typed "Austin FX4 spares" into my browser and came up with this:-
http://www.londontaxigroup.com/catalog/london-taxi...
Incredible!
Shame you wasn't as gifted when you needed helphttps://www.google.co.uk/search?q=FX4+wiring+diagr...
Then I exploded into a supernove and typed "Austin FX4 spares" into my browser and came up with this:-
http://www.londontaxigroup.com/catalog/london-taxi...
Incredible!
lowdrag said:
I'm tearing my hair out - figuratively, since I'm a bald coot you understand - because I cannot seem to get the box to update, to even be recognised by the Becker programme. I want to download the "dangerous zones" option and update the maps but no matter what, including using the miniscule reset button on the box, to get the box recognised by my computer. The GPS works fine as is when in the car, but I can't get the radars installed nor update. Any ideas people?
A slight difference I feel. I had been to the dealership who told me I had no right to update myself and 150€ please - which of course was wrong - had already tried to update on three computers, each time not being able, and even yesterday the computer would not recognise the Becker. I've deleted the programme and reloaded three times, and the point is I hadn't just asked for help without trying to resolve the problem myself. It was at that point I asked if others had the same problem, and an internet search will show I am not alone.
ETA And it should be "You weren't" not you wasn't".
ETA And it should be "You weren't" not you wasn't".
Edited by lowdrag on Tuesday 24th June 11:22
lowdrag said:
A slight difference I feel. I had been to the dealership who told me I had no right to update myself and 150€ please - which of course was wrong - had already tried to update on three computers, each time not being able, and even yesterday the computer would not recognise the Becker. I've deleted the programme and reloaded three times, and the point is I hadn't just asked for help without trying to resolve the problem myself. It was at that point I asked if others had the same problem, and an internet search will show I am not alone.
ETA And it should be "You weren't" not you wasn't".
So there is a story behind your question to PH, maybe the OP has a similar story?ETA And it should be "You weren't" not you wasn't".
Edited by lowdrag on Tuesday 24th June 11:22
It took Google 0.42 seconds to find the FX4 wiring diagram. It took me over a week and many hours of computer time to ask for help over the Becker problem. Please try and understand my criticism is for those who ask before looking themselves. It's basically lazy. I always at least, however ineffectually, do try and find an answer for myself. But perhaps you can't understand.
lowdrag said:
It took Google 0.42 seconds to find the FX4 wiring diagram. It took me over a week and many hours of computer time to ask for help over the Becker problem. Please try and understand my criticism is for those who ask before looking themselves. It's basically lazy. I always at least, however ineffectually, do try and find an answer for myself. But perhaps you can't understand.
I fear it is you who is unable to understand.Google is a wealth of information, some correct, some not correct but most of the time you can find pages and pages of crap on a particular subject.
Many people (myself included) would rather have a discussion about a subject with familiar people rather than try and digest 10,000 search results.
The wiring diagram i'll give you, but it was ONE of the things they asked for.
Pixelpeep said:
lowdrag said:
It took Google 0.42 seconds to find the FX4 wiring diagram. It took me over a week and many hours of computer time to ask for help over the Becker problem. Please try and understand my criticism is for those who ask before looking themselves. It's basically lazy. I always at least, however ineffectually, do try and find an answer for myself. But perhaps you can't understand.
I fear it is you who is unable to understand.InjectTheVenom said:
I apologise for asking my question and will refrain from counting on the helpfulness, knowledge and car passion on this forum in the future.
Good job guys!
Ignore the 'you should have googled it, look at me i'm so bright' comments fella. Hopefully there was some useful replies too.Good job guys!
Is it an Austin? Or a Carbodies? Or an LTI Fairway?
The chassis and bodies are all very similar, but they had numerous different engine & gearbox combinations over the years.
They suffer from rust, but body panels are easy to swap & are mostly bolt-on. If the chassis is rusty, the vehicle may be beyond repair, but the LTI Fairway taxis were much better at resisting rust than the later TX1.
London has only recently introduced a 15 year age limit for black cabs. The last Fairways were made in 1997, so the need to replace older cabs means that there are loads of Fairways sitting in scrapyards being broken for parts.
The best engine was the Nissan 2.7 diesel, which taxi drivers swear by. A million miles on the same engine isn't unheard of. Its quite common for owners to replace more modern engines with an older Nissan engine because they are so reliable.
Common faults will be associated with typical taxi use. Steering joints suffer from being bounced off kerbs and its very common for the steering box to become loose where it attaches to the bulkhead. Other than that, rust, rust and rust are your main problems. Look for cheap and poor repairs, particularly along inner and outer sills and on the wheelarches in the boot.
The chassis and bodies are all very similar, but they had numerous different engine & gearbox combinations over the years.
They suffer from rust, but body panels are easy to swap & are mostly bolt-on. If the chassis is rusty, the vehicle may be beyond repair, but the LTI Fairway taxis were much better at resisting rust than the later TX1.
London has only recently introduced a 15 year age limit for black cabs. The last Fairways were made in 1997, so the need to replace older cabs means that there are loads of Fairways sitting in scrapyards being broken for parts.
The best engine was the Nissan 2.7 diesel, which taxi drivers swear by. A million miles on the same engine isn't unheard of. Its quite common for owners to replace more modern engines with an older Nissan engine because they are so reliable.
Common faults will be associated with typical taxi use. Steering joints suffer from being bounced off kerbs and its very common for the steering box to become loose where it attaches to the bulkhead. Other than that, rust, rust and rust are your main problems. Look for cheap and poor repairs, particularly along inner and outer sills and on the wheelarches in the boot.
InjectTheVenom said:
I apologise for asking my question and will refrain from counting on the helpfulness, knowledge and car passion on this forum in the future.
Good job guys!
You have to ignore the know-it-all-Good job guys!
s - forums are full of them. There is always at least one wally whith a small penis looking to try to be clever with someone else. Ignore them - its easy.GC8 said:
InjectTheVenom said:
I apologise for asking my question and will refrain from counting on the helpfulness, knowledge and car passion on this forum in the future.
Good job guys!
You have to ignore the know-it-all-Good job guys!
s - forums are full of them. There is always at least one wally whith a small penis looking to try to be clever with someone else. Ignore them - its easy.Sadly I think the OP has the a
hole and won't be back.Edited by StuntmanMike on Saturday 28th June 10:25
StuntmanMike said:
+1
OP have you got one? Do you use it as a normal car? If so how is it?
Brother in law used to run them, he always had one he used as a normal run around, i'd borrow one now and again (was a laugh turning up at mountain bike trail centres with the bike in the back of a black cab OP have you got one? Do you use it as a normal car? If so how is it?
), also parked it in the works car park now and again, no one would believe me when i said i wasn't moonlighting as a Taxi driver.Found them a novelty, very utilitarian to drive, quite unlike a modern car (think Morris Oxford people carrier), found it quite cramped in the drivers area (i'm 5'7 and 11 st), driving position very upright like a van.
As mentioned the 2.7 Nissan is the engine to go for, couple of things i remember are bulkhead rot, also watch for rot under vinyl roofs (vinyl bubbling up), also the rear floor area should be humped in the middle (so that the rear can be hosed out and the water will run out the doors), if it's flat the floor is probably weak.
I like quirky vehicles but the novelty of running a black cab every day would quickly wear off i think.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff