100 mile trip, a few niggles - your opinion please/ Options

[thieuster]

After two more or less shorter runs last week and Monday evening, I took the car out for a longer trip. I started at 5:30AM and went for a 100 mile round trip to the north and back home again. Great trip! And the speed makes the car very quiet! (contradictio? no!) The noise of the engine is 'pulled' away from the cabin by the air flowing over the car. Something I'd never experienced before, driving British classics with a lumpy straight engine in front of your knees!

Overall, the car runs beautifully. Two small niggles though. (Well, what else can you expect from a car that's been stored for 17 yrs?).

First, when revving the car, it pulls great. But at the steady coast of 2200 rpm, the car tends to 'shake' a little, as if it's running a little too lean. Throttle Position Sensor or... simply a little too lean? What can I expect.

Second, the indicator relay. I was under the impression that it was located at the back of the fuse box, under the dash. But I couldn't find it there. So I turned on the ignition and used the column stalk to trace the sound of the relay... There it was, way up behind the dash, close to the back of the gauges. I couldn't reach it from the 'footwell position'. So, I'm wondering: would it be easier to remove the gauge cluster from the dash?

Funny thing is, when I pull the hazard switch, the light inside the switch blinks and 'clicks', however, there's nothing to see on the dash: no green lights. I was under the impression that both (hazard and indicator) are linked! Or has that to do with the fact that my car is a Euro Spec car?

What's your opnion / experience with the matters mentioned above?

Menno

[McMark]

The hazard switch can cause all sorts of turn signal light issues. All the turn signal wires pass through the hazard switch, on or off. A poor, corroded connection inside the hazard can keep turn signals from working. I'm ordering a new VW unit for a 72 bug and seeing how that works.

Also, replacing all your dash bulbs will really brighten things up. As will cleaning the grounds for the gauges and the ground lug under the dash. Remove the fuse panel to access the ground and to get the flasher unit. The fuse panel drops with just two screws and then you can reach up and grab the 'black box' that's sitting loose behind the switches.

You should really update your signature with you car year /engine info. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)