Half way through fitting a new steering ribbon cable!

[amazon]

Feeling quite pleased with myself .

And now just hoping that when I put it all back together tomorrow, that I have controls back on the steering wheel!!

If anyone has any hot tips or words of wisdom for the remainder of this exercise - I'd be delighted to hear them to avoid any silly mistakes!

But it was really just a post because I can't believe I've even got this far with it!!

[Tanguero]

Well done! Patience is the key to getting it all back together in my experience.

[amazon]

Tanguero said:

Well done! Patience is the key to getting it all back together in my experience.

Thank you! Sound advice I'm sure. I am being very careful and methodical, lest I create more jobs by trying to do one!

[FarmyardPants]

Take photos of the old one in situ!

[M3John]

FarmyardPants said:

Take photos of the old one in situ!

This ^ or draw a little diagram like i did before removal. It really isn't that hard to do is it, just a little fiddly (especially when you come to put the little plugs back on). Be sure to get enough winds of the ribbon cable back on there though !

[amazon]

M3John said:

FarmyardPants said:

Take photos of the old one in situ!

This ^ or draw a little diagram like i did before removal. It really isn't that hard to do is it, just a little fiddly (especially when you come to put the little plugs back on). Be sure to get enough winds of the ribbon cable back on there though !

You boys are great . I did say, 'I am halfway through' fitting a ribbon cable - this means that I have already taken the steering off, little plugs, big bolt, removed the existing cable, stuck the ribbon end into the hub, with araldite and left overnight to dry completely (as I was losing the light anyway).

So, it is a little late to take pictures or draw diagrams. However, because I am a girl (and I am super careful whenever I tackle anything on the car that I am unsure of), I did take photographs AND I numbered the 'little plugs' before I removed them .

Now, what this 'get enough winds of the ribbon cable back on there' mean? It is already a pre-determined length and it all has to go into the hub, so I am a little by what you mean?

One question I do have though - is should I gently 'fold' the ribbon cable at the point where it sits in the hub, because previously it had a right angle fold in it to allow it to sit flat on the inside rim of the hub - to which it was then glued from about 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock. I was going to do the same with the new one. I am concerned about this 'fold' that is required to allow me to do this though?

I have an spare hub and this also has the same arrangement with the ribbon cable, i.e. a fold to allow it to change direction from where it is 'fixed' into the slot in the hub - and also then glued to the inner side for half a turn.

What do 'we' think ?

I have to finish it tonight.
It has to have fixed the problem!! (Fingers crossed)
MOT tomorrow.

[FarmyardPants]

The only other advice I can offer is on no account use a resin based adhesive such as araldite.

Just kidding

[pmessling]

I opened out the hole and fed the plug end through to the control box to eliminate the fold and having to glue it in place, loads of length in the cable to do this. When i got the car mind never worked through the wheel extra switches had been fitted. so was my first job to do and found no end on the cable to plug anything into. All sorted now.

[JensenA]

Yes you need to fold it exactly the same as the old one.
When you have the Ribbon cable in place, with the wheel ready to push onto the splines, wind the wheel gently clock wise(?) to tighten the ribbon cable, stop as soon as you feel the slightest resistance. Now unwind it at least 2 complete turns before pushing the wheel back on.

[amazon]

It didn't work

No signs of life from the controls at all. Just the same as before.

Any ideas?

Please?

[Gazzab]

Glass of Pinot?

[amazon]

Gazzab said:

Glass of Pinot?

[Tanguero]

Did you check that it worked with the new cable before you re-assembled it?

Double check the pins on the connections. Its a while since I did mine but I do seem to recall that there is one more conductor than there are pins. If everything is off by one then that would stop it working.

[amazon]

Tanguero said:

Did you check that it worked with the new cable before you re-assembled it?

Double check the pins on the connections. Its a while since I did mine but I do seem to recall that there is one more conductor than there are pins. If everything is off by one then that would stop it working.

No, I didn't check before I re-assembled - it was so tight to get the little plugs on the hub that I had to put the steering wheel on in order get enough length of wire to connect the four little plugs.

I'm not sure where you mean - are you talking about the ribbon cable connector? Presumably the connection that goes into the back of the hub - I can see that being an easy mistake when it comes to lining up, because it's hard to get too.

How I'd love it to be that simple! Thank you for your thoughts . Will try tomorrow!

[Extra 300 Driver]

If you're stuck, I'm in Chelmsford: could drive up and assist? I've done a few before

[amazon]

Extra 300 Driver said:

If you're stuck, I'm in Chelmsford: could drive up and assist? I've done a few before

Hello . What a great offer - thank you very much!

How soon can you get here?

I am stuck. But I am assuming it's just a process of elimination. Unfortunately, I am not that experienced with these things but enjoy 'trying'. It's just that with this particular challenge, what everyone thought would fix it, hasn't. So now I'm at a loss. I was feeling supremely confident when I posted this thread and gradually it has dwindled down to 'HELP'!

If you really have the time and would be willing to come up to the Cambridge area, then marvellous .

Will you coming in a fighter jet?

[Extra 300 Driver]

amazon said:

Hello . What a great offer - thank you very much!

How soon can you get here?

I am stuck. But I am assuming it's just a process of elimination. Unfortunately, I am not that experienced with these things but enjoy 'trying'. It's just that with this particular challenge, what everyone thought would fix it, hasn't. So now I'm at a loss. I was feeling supremely confident when I posted this thread and gradually it has dwindled down to 'HELP'!

If you really have the time and would be willing to come up to the Cambridge area, then marvellous .

Will you coming in a fighter jet?

I'm in Las Vegas at the mo, back Friday, then off to Singapore Monday. Saturday afternoon any good?

[gcpeters]

here you go

have a read through my thread, should get you up and working in no time

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... cancellation disc&mid=41613

GP

[amazon]

gcpeters said:

here you go

have a read through my thread, should get you up and working in no time

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... cancellation disc&mid=41613

GP

Thanks for this. I have just had my first read through. I think you may have over estimated my abilities here, but thanks for the compliment! I will try and work through it. I think I might just have to keep my options open with Extra 300 Driver as well though

[amazon]

Extra 300 Driver said:

amazon said:

Hello . What a great offer - thank you very much!

How soon can you get here?

I am stuck. But I am assuming it's just a process of elimination. Unfortunately, I am not that experienced with these things but enjoy 'trying'. It's just that with this particular challenge, what everyone thought would fix it, hasn't. So now I'm at a loss. I was feeling supremely confident when I posted this thread and gradually it has dwindled down to 'HELP'!

If you really have the time and would be willing to come up to the Cambridge area, then marvellous .

Will you coming in a fighter jet?

I'm in Las Vegas at the mo, back Friday, then off to Singapore Monday. Saturday afternoon any good?

Saturday late afternoon? I won't be home until about 4pm - is that too late?

I will keep trying in the meantime......

Thank you