New owner, new member - a few questions
Discussion
Hi everyone, last week I picked up a 2000 year Tuscan, something which I've wanted to do for the last 15 years! I have a few niggles which I'd like to get sorted.
First of all, the previous owner used the car very rarely and after having the interior re-trimmed, decided not to install the speakers. I can't live without driving music so am attempting to put them back. I was expecting to cut holes back into the carpet and find the cables behind, unfortunately I ended up with this:
Cable on one side, but not the other. At the head unit end there are definitely 2 speaker cables which I've wired into the iso block. Does anyone have any idea where the cable runs are likely to be? Any suggestions on how I locate the business end of the missing cable?
Secondly, the side panels are also covered over:
Would the factory have run 4 pairs of cable from the head unit to connect all 4 speakers up? i.e. am I missing 2 cables if I wanted to reinstall these side speakers?
Has anyone had much luck using these standard speaker locations in terms of quality/volume? I am wondering if I knock up some spacers in MDF I could put some decent quality 2 way speakers, maybe 6 inch, and get reasonable sound with the roof off. Ideally I wouldn't add the side speakers, but I'm not really sure what's possible with these cars. I'm keen not to spend a fortune at the moment.
Secondly, I'm getting a lot of code K errors and warnings about low fuel even though I have 25L. In fact, the car seemed to think I had 0L at one point. Is this something simple I can take care off myself?
Thirdly, the red exclamation on the dash (that lights up when the handbrake is on) is often coming on, accompanied by a beep, when I brake from a brisk speed down to a stop - not violently, but gently (perhaps for roundabout or junction).
Any help greatly appreciated
First of all, the previous owner used the car very rarely and after having the interior re-trimmed, decided not to install the speakers. I can't live without driving music so am attempting to put them back. I was expecting to cut holes back into the carpet and find the cables behind, unfortunately I ended up with this:
Cable on one side, but not the other. At the head unit end there are definitely 2 speaker cables which I've wired into the iso block. Does anyone have any idea where the cable runs are likely to be? Any suggestions on how I locate the business end of the missing cable?
Secondly, the side panels are also covered over:
Would the factory have run 4 pairs of cable from the head unit to connect all 4 speakers up? i.e. am I missing 2 cables if I wanted to reinstall these side speakers?
Has anyone had much luck using these standard speaker locations in terms of quality/volume? I am wondering if I knock up some spacers in MDF I could put some decent quality 2 way speakers, maybe 6 inch, and get reasonable sound with the roof off. Ideally I wouldn't add the side speakers, but I'm not really sure what's possible with these cars. I'm keen not to spend a fortune at the moment.
Secondly, I'm getting a lot of code K errors and warnings about low fuel even though I have 25L. In fact, the car seemed to think I had 0L at one point. Is this something simple I can take care off myself?
Thirdly, the red exclamation on the dash (that lights up when the handbrake is on) is often coming on, accompanied by a beep, when I brake from a brisk speed down to a stop - not violently, but gently (perhaps for roundabout or junction).
Any help greatly appreciated
As far as I know the original cars had speakers only in the rear side panels and the cable runs come up from the bottom so if you fish around you might find them. The ones you have in the back were probably added at some time, my mk1 had some in that panel as well, the wiring for those (and also on my mk3) come through the panel above the fuel tank, so looking at the wiring it has also been added later and I guess joined to the original wiring in the side panel. Did it have an amp as well?
New owners have to post pictures of their new stead as well
Thanks
N
New owners have to post pictures of their new stead as well
Thanks
N
Oooh, that makes sense now! The PO said that the side panel was a poor place for speakers, I didn't realise that he had effectively moved them by cutting holes into the rear panel and blanking off the side panels. I was under the impression that the car had 4 speaker positions coming out of the factory.That would explain why the ISO plug at the front only has 2 pairs of cable coming out of it - there were never 4 speakers.
There was not an amp there before - basically it looks like the chap had the whole interior re-trimmed and asked the guys to run 2 cables to the rear and cut the holes in case he wanted to add speakers later. I don't believe the cable was extended from the side panel because it's the same high quality cable at the head unit end - it does not look standard.
Obviously I'm miffed I can't find the end of both cables because the last thing I wanted to do was start ripping the interior apart.
I'm thinking then, with the correct spacer I may well be able to squeeze a pair of these in:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OEB0JXE
There was not an amp there before - basically it looks like the chap had the whole interior re-trimmed and asked the guys to run 2 cables to the rear and cut the holes in case he wanted to add speakers later. I don't believe the cable was extended from the side panel because it's the same high quality cable at the head unit end - it does not look standard.
Obviously I'm miffed I can't find the end of both cables because the last thing I wanted to do was start ripping the interior apart.
I'm thinking then, with the correct spacer I may well be able to squeeze a pair of these in:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OEB0JXE
The mk3 has front and rear outputs but I am sure the Mk1 was original fitted with 4 1/2" pioneer speakers in the side panels. My Mk1 had 6x9's in the rear panel but I always thought it was aftermarket, I know a few owners have put speakers there but I can't find any evidence that there were speakers in the rear panel from the factory. The wiring is definitely not original as the speaker cables were std copper automotive wiring not the oxygen free premium cables.
Be interested what people have now though in the rear for speakers?
Be interested what people have now though in the rear for speakers?
I specced my Tuscan when I ordered it early 2000 with rear speakers in addition to the side b-post speakers and also upgraded the model of them at the time. The factory were pretty good at fitting what you wanted and also many dealers would add customer upgrades to the stereo on delivery.
That's a nice Tuscan you have bought. I saw it in the classified and thought it looked nice.
Your flickering handbrake light could be coming on due to low brake/clutch fluid which is a possible symptom of clutch slave seals needing replaced. Check under the car for any fluid dripping from the gearbox bellhousing. If it's leaking get it fixed ASAP as your don't want to end up stranded.
That's a nice Tuscan you have bought. I saw it in the classified and thought it looked nice.
Your flickering handbrake light could be coming on due to low brake/clutch fluid which is a possible symptom of clutch slave seals needing replaced. Check under the car for any fluid dripping from the gearbox bellhousing. If it's leaking get it fixed ASAP as your don't want to end up stranded.
I have a Mk.1 S - 2004 build.
The panels behind the B post are just an 'interference' fit. The top sort of clips below the small triangular(ish) shaped side window, the front facing edge is held by the door aperture(and targa top) seal with the lower and rear facing edges effectively wedged by the carpet pile.
If you lift/remove these panels you may well find the ends of the speaker cables. My 'S', IIRC, has both speaker cables running along the N/S cill cavity and up over the N/S rear wheel arch. It appears from your 'photos that the re-trim included the black fabric/leather over the panels.
To address the alarm codes - I would un plug the wiring from the sender unit on the top O/S side of the tank - spray with contact cleaner and re-make the connection. Lack of use typically causes these problems.
The 'brake' warning light may well be caused by the micro-switch on the handbrake itself, clean the contacts.
The brake pedal switch may also be suffering from the same malaise....That's why I always advise to use the cars...keeps all these little electrical components exercised!
Nick
The panels behind the B post are just an 'interference' fit. The top sort of clips below the small triangular(ish) shaped side window, the front facing edge is held by the door aperture(and targa top) seal with the lower and rear facing edges effectively wedged by the carpet pile.
If you lift/remove these panels you may well find the ends of the speaker cables. My 'S', IIRC, has both speaker cables running along the N/S cill cavity and up over the N/S rear wheel arch. It appears from your 'photos that the re-trim included the black fabric/leather over the panels.
To address the alarm codes - I would un plug the wiring from the sender unit on the top O/S side of the tank - spray with contact cleaner and re-make the connection. Lack of use typically causes these problems.
The 'brake' warning light may well be caused by the micro-switch on the handbrake itself, clean the contacts.
The brake pedal switch may also be suffering from the same malaise....That's why I always advise to use the cars...keeps all these little electrical components exercised!
Nick
Buckers2 said:
Oooh, that makes sense now! The PO said that the side panel was a poor place for speakers, I didn't realise that he had effectively moved them by cutting holes into the rear panel and blanking off the side panels. I was under the impression that the car had 4 speaker positions coming out of the factory.That would explain why the ISO plug at the front only has 2 pairs of cable coming out of it - there were never 4 speakers.
There was not an amp there before - basically it looks like the chap had the whole interior re-trimmed and asked the guys to run 2 cables to the rear and cut the holes in case he wanted to add speakers later. I don't believe the cable was extended from the side panel because it's the same high quality cable at the head unit end - it does not look standard.
Obviously I'm miffed I can't find the end of both cables because the last thing I wanted to do was start ripping the interior apart.
I'm thinking then, with the correct spacer I may well be able to squeeze a pair of these in:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OEB0JXE
Cant go wrong with those Infinity speakers, considering some for myself. Oh and my car has 4 speakers, but the original order forms states stereo upgrade, so maybe this was it...There was not an amp there before - basically it looks like the chap had the whole interior re-trimmed and asked the guys to run 2 cables to the rear and cut the holes in case he wanted to add speakers later. I don't believe the cable was extended from the side panel because it's the same high quality cable at the head unit end - it does not look standard.
Obviously I'm miffed I can't find the end of both cables because the last thing I wanted to do was start ripping the interior apart.
I'm thinking then, with the correct spacer I may well be able to squeeze a pair of these in:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OEB0JXE
Thanks for all the tips guys, I will try to investigate as soon as possible.
In the end I bought http://www.audioimages.co.uk/focal-pc165.html because the infinity items all wanted to come from the US with long delivery times.
I got a pair of 30mm MDF spacers off ebay, I'm hoping I'll be able to squeeze these speakers in!
In the end I bought http://www.audioimages.co.uk/focal-pc165.html because the infinity items all wanted to come from the US with long delivery times.
I got a pair of 30mm MDF spacers off ebay, I'm hoping I'll be able to squeeze these speakers in!
Fiddling with the connection on the fuel tank has stopped the warning about fuel and code k how erratic though is the readout for you guys? It still moves about a fair bit, way more than my Elise does
Also, the rear panel for the speakers...is this fibreglass? I'm wondering what the best way to fix my spacers to this is....perhaps a counter sunk screw and bolt the other side? This is what i did on my elise to good effect. The spacer is quite big and the room behind quite tight though
how erratic though is the readout for you guys? It still moves about a fair bit, way more than my Elise does Also, the rear panel for the speakers...is this fibreglass? I'm wondering what the best way to fix my spacers to this is....perhaps a counter sunk screw and bolt the other side? This is what i did on my elise to good effect. The spacer is quite big and the room behind quite tight though
Buckers2 said:
Fiddling with the connection on the fuel tank has stopped the warning about fuel and code k how erratic though is the readout for you guys? It still moves about a fair bit, way more than my Elise does
Mine can vary up to 6 or 7 litres depending on inclination and how much fuel is in it. Seems to be most erratic around 3/4 full. Also note, if you haven't already been told, NEVER brim the tank, you will easily cause an overflow which buggers the carbon canister. I always aim for 50/51 litres max and the gauge is accurate enough to manage that. If in doubt, underfill. how erratic though is the readout for you guys? It still moves about a fair bit, way more than my Elise does Buckers2 said:
Brake fluid top-up solved the warning beep. But I'm suspicious as to why it dropped having been topped up not long ago (apparently).
Car's going into str8six Monday week for some other things so I'll get them to check it out.
Check obvious things first:-Car's going into str8six Monday week for some other things so I'll get them to check it out.
Whip off the pedal cover plate and look at the clutch master cylinder (brakes and clutch share same reservoir)...any signs of fluid around clutch pedal/pedal tray probably indicates failing cylinder - and they do fail!
Nick
This weekend I got to work on the speakers. I was just starting to wonder how I'd get the job done reaching through from the interior when I started to peel away the carpets and compartments in the boot to reveal the rear of the speaker panel. A very pleasant surprise!
I went for some Focal 165 with a 30mm MDF spacer which I got off ebay as I was worried about the depth. I managed to find the cable which I couldn't previously locate once I peeled away the carpet. I attached the spacer (over the carpet) using a counter sunk screw/bolt/washer - the end result was very secure.
Sound wise it's ended up "ok". Very loud but lacking any real depth and no imaging since both speakers pretty much go directly into my left ear.
I am wondering if I should build a small enclosure around the back of the speakers and maybe even put a port to the side to improve the bass response. I can't imagine an enclosure which is basically made from carpet at the moment would be that effective!
I also need to cut the holes slightly wider from the rear as the 6.5s were much larger than the original holes - you'll notice the magnets are not centered.
I went for some Focal 165 with a 30mm MDF spacer which I got off ebay as I was worried about the depth. I managed to find the cable which I couldn't previously locate once I peeled away the carpet. I attached the spacer (over the carpet) using a counter sunk screw/bolt/washer - the end result was very secure.
Sound wise it's ended up "ok". Very loud but lacking any real depth and no imaging since both speakers pretty much go directly into my left ear.
I am wondering if I should build a small enclosure around the back of the speakers and maybe even put a port to the side to improve the bass response. I can't imagine an enclosure which is basically made from carpet at the moment would be that effective!
I also need to cut the holes slightly wider from the rear as the 6.5s were much larger than the original holes - you'll notice the magnets are not centered.
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