Some novice questions.....

[jof]

Hi All. So 3 weeks and 900 fun miles in to my 450 and loving every mile of it!

Now I'm getting to know the car I have a couple of pretty basic questions if you'd be so kind...

One of the gagues has a light out - fuel if that makes a difference - so I need to pop the top of the dash off. Where the hell are the bolts?? I've done a search and understand there are 3, two on the passenger side and one on the driver's, buyt I can't find them for the life of me. Has anyone got a plan or something showing where they are? Also, what bulb will I need?

I believe my car has the original meta alarm system which seems to be working fine but I only have one rather delicate feeling fob so I'm planning to replace this. In the meantime I do see this as a bit of a risk and someone mentioned in another thread that there's an emergency way of popping the doors/boot if it should fail. Appreciating the sensitivity of this, could one of you kind gents PM me the details?

Does anyone know if you can buy an original brushed stainless gearknob? Mind's pretty scuffed so I bought what I thought was a replacement from recetech, and while it was a nice thing - same size, weight etc, it's polished rather than brushed so kind of stands out.

Finally, I joined the TVRCC thinking it would be a good way to connect with other owners. Sadly there seems to be nothing happening in Somerset and just wondered if anyone knew whether anything was going on in this region?

Huge thanks in advance

Jof

[bobfather]

There's a good dash top removal guide here

http://www.parkersteve.dsl.pipex.com/techinfo.html

Also half way down this page. Take note of the position you need to get into to reach the drivers side bolt

http://www.chimaerapages.com/technical-info.html

[bobfather]

I should add, you don't need to remove the drivers side bolt to gain access to most of the dash internals. Just remove the two passenger side bolts and lift that side as far as you can. I'd suggest you stick a long screwdriver in there to hold it open. Watch your hands and arms, it's very scratchy in there and being glass fibre it'll make you itch lots

[jof]

Thanks Bob - really useful!

[TWB86]

Hi Jof,

Here is a link to what i believe is the standard gear knob in brushed aluminium - http://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-f0...


Hope that helps

Tom

[TWB86]

Also,

You have mail.

T

[jof]

Brilliant - thanks!

[QBee]

The easiest tool for undoing the dash nuts is a 10mm ratchet ring spanner, ideally with a flexible head.
I have never replaced my passenger side nuts after fettling things - and it doesn't seem to rattle. If that bothers you, self adhesive velcro strips are your friends.
Just be careful that you don't rip the fabric of the dash on the bolts when you remove the dash top. The top left bolt is horizontal, at the back of the dash, and goes in away from you, the lower left one is vertical, close to you, and goes in downwards.


ETA - as far as I know, nothing ever happens in Somerset other than flooding - could be something to do with cider consumption.

However, if you look up TVRSSW in Wellington (presumably where the boots come from that you need to combat the flooding?) and have a chat with Colin there, you will not only get to know a real nice guy, you also get to find a good TVR service place, and he will probably be able to introduce you to a few TVR people. He also prepares race cars for the Dunlop TVR European Challenge if you are into motorsport.

Edited by QBee on Monday 12th October 13:26

[StarmistBlue400]

Call Dave at HF Solutions. He will be able to sort out your alarm and ether replace it or keep the original and program new fobs and enable boot release

07721 654829