May 2nd
Installed an original VW Gamma V radio cassette. Ok, so technically it’s from a slightly newer van, but it’s still more appropriate than the ugly aftermarket Kenwood CD player the previous owner had been using. Also, I’ve got a Bluetooth adapter coming, so I should be able to stream things from my phone.
Had to make some guesses with the wiring to get it working, as the previous owner (or the one before) had chopped things around a bit to get a more the more modern stereo working. Thankfully there was just enough information available online for me to work it out, as well as the original connectors and wires colours, so I could match things up.
The black plug is connected like this:
- Not connected
- Not connected
- Not connected
- 12v
- 12v (even though it’s a black wire)
- Switched (as far as I can tell, seems to run the illumination and flashing LED)
- 12v
- GND
Now I get to play tapes, like my dad’s old Strangler’s album:
April 28th
Appears to be leaking a small amount of coolant, I guess from the O ring around the thermostat. Will replace when I service the van in the next few weeks.
Loved getting out and about in the van this afternoon!
April 13th
Managed to get the MAF sensor back into the air intake, the throttle ‘lumpiness’ seems to have been resolved.
Drove across town. Engine cut out. Fortunately the main wiring loom connector onto the ECU had dislodged, killing all the electrics under the bonnet. Easy fix after a few stressful minutes wondering what had happened!
April 5th
Drove it from Scarborough back to Whitby. No pops and bangs, didn’t stall, managed all the hills (including hill starts). Sounds pretty smooth. Temperature was stable and never above 90.
ABS light on – not sure why.
Engine feels a little lumpy at times. Got a few things to try:
- Spark plugs
- MAF sensor not secure in air intake
- Air intake box wonky, perhaps drawing in more air than it needs
- Needs a service (can’t hurt)
April 4th
Will adjusted the new RHD headlamps, checked it over and took it to the garage for an MOT. Which it passed!
Emissions test showed it’s running very clean (relatively) and there were only 2 advisories.
March 15th
Changed the wires between the TPS and the ECU and… the idle speed is back to normal!
Engine warms up nicely. Idle speed remains stable (around 750rpm) regardless of temperature. Engine doesn’t bog down like it used to and everything seems happy.
So much trouble caused by such a seemingly insignificant thing. It’s taken ages to get to the bottom of this problem and for it to be caused by dodgy wiring is a little frustrating. However, I’ve learned more about engines in the past couple of weeks than in the rest of my life combined and feel much more able to troubleshoot electrical issues than I did before. Every cloud, eh?
March 11th
Had another play with the TPS to try and discern the precise nature of the fault. When the engine was warm if I disconnected the TPS the idle would drop to normal (or thereabouts). Obviously I couldn’t run the engine without the TPS connected, but there was an clear connection between the high idle speed and the TPS.
I had a spare TPS so plugged it in, off the engine. With the wiring in certain positions the fault appeared, and in other positions the fault disappeared. Weird! Decided to change the wires.
March 6th
Found myself with a little more time and a little more determination to solve the engine problem. This is what I was seeing:
High idle speed, especially once the temperature passed 90. Fans kicking in at 110, as expected.
February
Nothing to report!
January 2025
Continued to fiddle with the engine, not much progress made.
Built a MAF sensor:
October/November/December 2024
Not much progress. The van’s MOT expired on 21st September and the garage wouldn’t test it as the engine wasn’t running sufficiently well.
Managed to source some RHD headlights (original) off eBay and explored other bits and bobs which could be easily replaced such as the lambda sensor.
Here’s a helpful post on building a new MAF sensor from a cheaper 2 pin sensor and a variable resistor:
September 24th – It Runs!
Headed back to Scarborough to spend an afternoon with Will putting it all back together. And it runs again!
This was after:
- Replacing the radiator
- Replacing the vacuum pipes
- ECU sensor repair (see below)
- Reconnecting pipes which were disconnected allowing additional air into the system
- Cleaning everything with loads of spray cleaner
September 15th – ECU Repair
I replaced the vacuum sensor on the ECU with one from Amazon. The original had some debris within it. I’m not entirely sure if it was sufficient to damage it, but it seemed prudent to replace it given that the ECU vacuum sensor had not been connected when we’d been troubleshooting the engine. Seems like the previous owner (or the one before) struggled to get it running smooth and just started un-plugging stuff!
26th June – Engine Trouble
The engine started playing up, big time. It would cut out, particularly if any pressure was applied. Struggled to pull away on any kind of hill.
I managed to drive it to Scarborough to leave it with my friend Will. We took the engine to bits, pulled out the dodgy LPG stuff, made a long list of bits to replace, including:
- Vacuum hoses
- Fuel line
- Radiator and plastic surround
- Various bits of pipe
- Thermostat
Replaced 2 Pin Temperature Sensor and Fuel Pump Relay 167 – 15th June 2024
I finally discovered the location of the 2 Pin Temperature Sensor. Having looked high and low I discovered it was located immediately behind the 4 Pin Sensor! I swapped this. I’m not sure the older one was broken, but it’s a cheap part to replace and I’m sure the engine is running rough due to poor sensors and/or air flow (perhaps vacuum pipe leaks). I also swapped the Fuel Pump Relay 167. Again, don’t think the older one was broken, but initially the van was very fumy, running rich etc. and I also ran it dry one (oops!) so figured it was an easy thing to swap, just in case.
Replaced Smashed Wing Mirror – 13th June 2024
My wing mirror got hit, twice, so needed replacing. Got a new LHD electric mirror from Brickwerks. Despite getting some sticky black gunk on my hand whilst removing the door panel it was a fairly easy swap.
Replaced Relay 30 – 30th May
Swapped Relay 30 as I’d discovered it’s a common failure point and is responsible for something to do with the ECU. Apparently the van will run with a faulty one, but not well. Easy thing to swap.
Eco Flow River 2 Max – 15th April 2024
In order to provide me with ample power for my laptop and so on, I ordered an Eco Flow River 2 Max. I hope to get this plugged into the 12v system in the van, or charging via the alternator, to keep it topped up. I can then run the laptop, external monitor, SIM modem and whatever else I need from this.
4 Pin Temperature Guage – 14th April 2024
I replaced the 4 pin temperature guage, again from Brickwerks. The dashboard temperature reading began working, which I guess also improved the running of the engine.
Speedo Repair – 14th April 2024
I got hold of a left hand drive speedo cable from Brickwerks. Fortunately I had some ramps and managed to scramble underneath the van to remove the broken cable.
I disassembled the steering wheel to get to the back of the dashboard – easier than I anticipated. The speedo now works fine, but is measuring fast. I guess the needle is out of position.
Buying the T4 California Coach – March 16th 2024
As I was finishing my notice period at my previous company I was looking for a vehicle would could become the Hello Technology Office Van.
I’d initially disregarded the T4 California (which was owned by someone else in Whitby at the time), due to it being left hand drive and up for a little more than I could afford to spend initially.
However, the weekend before I started Hello Technology the previous owner dropped the price, and having gone for a quick drive in the van I was satisfied it could become the Hello Technology office van.