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        General >> Problems >> Help needed with AC MOD....please.
        
(Message started by: waynem325 on Aug 1^st, 2005, 9:58pm)

Title: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 1^st, 2005, 9:58pm

Hi all,

Got my AC MOD from Dave N the other day (Thanks Dave :D ) and finally got round to fitting today.
I followed the instructions on the site and everything went surprisingly smooth....until I found the wire I have to "scotch lock" onto!

The 2 wires are actually wrapped around the small plastic block it goes into (or comes from??) and doesn't leave enough room to attach 1 scotch lock let alone 2.
The small block in question needs to be removed from its fixings in order to get at the wire and is held on by 2 screws-1 at the top and 1 at the bottom.

My question is: How do I remove the lower screw? Is it possible to get it out without removing anything else. I tried in vane for an absolute age today, and gave up as it started to rain. (and before I got aggresive with the car >:( ;))
Do I just have to persevere with a smally screw driver or is there an easier way?

Doubt I'll get any more time to do it this week until Friday but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TA!

Wayne.

PS>
When threading the wire through the bulkhead, is it advisable to pass the wire through the centre of the grommet or would it be ok to pierce the grommet and thread through that way?
I only ask as the cable using the grommet already has been well and truly sealed with electrical tape and would take a long time and mountains of patience to remove :-/

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by David_South_West on Aug 1^st, 2005, 10:15pm

Wayne,
I fitted mod on Sat...are you sure you are trying to connect to the correct wires?i found there was just enough to fit two small scotch locks and wind a bit of inulating tape around each one.
I made a very small cross shape hole in the centre of the grommet with a pointed knife,then used a stiff piece of straight wire(cut from coat hanger)then taped wires and pullled through into the car.
I sited switch along side headlight switch , had to cut the plastic dash at the back to clear the rear of the new switch.
sunday was warm and humid ..took it for a test and works wonderfull....noticed some water dripping from air con unit under the car ....must have been ice melting!!!
good luck

David

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 1^st, 2005, 10:28pm

Cheers David,

I'm pretty sure its the correct wires, though my wires are grey and not black as per the instuctions.
You have cast doubt in my mind, but after looking at the pics on here and comparing them with mine they are in the same place etc....

I have a couple of pics I took before I put everything back together-any idea how I can post photo's on here. Would rather someone who's done the MOD confirm I've got the right ones before continuing.

TIA,

Wayne

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 1^st, 2005, 10:46pm

This pic is about as good as it gets for the time bieng, and its a little out of focus as I only had my phone with me at the time.
You can (almost) clearly see that the 2 wires disappear behind the plastic block.
Are these the right wires?
Click here (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/waynem325/myhomepage/aboutme.html)

TA :D

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 1^st, 2005, 10:50pm

Wayne. I had exactly the same problem with mine today!!!. I think there is a comment about this on one of the other posts. I did get to the screw you mention but it was an awkward job. Basically you have to remove the unit below and in front of it with the vacuum pipes attached. It does remove easily. Iff you look there is a self tapper holding the unit and another holding one of the vacuum pipes. There is a small grub screw connecting the operating mecanism of the drum shaped unit and two nuts securing it to the mounting. Undo these and the unit will be free.There is an electical connection which unclips so the whole thing can be removed and then you can acess the self tapper underneath to release the wire and gain enough slack to make the connections. I haven't had chance to look up the names of the parts yet but hopefully you can see what I mean once you get your head under the bonnet. HTH Simmo

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 1^st, 2005, 11:04pm

Cheers Simmo,

I kind of understand the parts you're talking about. I went along the right lines today but there was a little resistance when removing a few of the screws you mention, and incase I damaged any of the parts I left them alone.
I'll have a go when I next get the time and follow your instructions, and hopefully this time I'll have success.

Thanks mate!

Wayne

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 1^st, 2005, 11:07pm

Go to this http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/acmanual.htm and select De Ice switch.It will open a pdf file and there is a drawing of the components which should help you to identify and understand my previous post. Good luck.

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 1^st, 2005, 11:18pm

Read this as well,http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1120695182;start= Highlander had to do the same.(10/7/05).

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Highlander on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 1:02am

Yep same thing I had,
the two screws holding this block on arent actually through holes but through a slot top and bottom, what i did was remove the top screw and gently lever the block upwards off the bottom screw and out the slot.
Removed the wires from behind the block,
connected the AC mod wires, slackened the bottom screw slightly now the block was out the way then refitted it the same way. couldnt retighten the bottom one but it was quite tight and I dont think it'll go anywhere.

I think one of the guys on the production line was just trying to tidy things up a bit :)

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by scorpio_man on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 5:58am

hi there

Quote:

took it for a test and works wonderfull....noticed some water dripping from air con unit under the car ....must have been ice melting!!!

this is a good point. we need to remember to clean out the drain tubes or there will be trouble ahead!
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/acdrain.htm

hth

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 11:33am

Thanks guys,

on 08/02/05 at 01:02:52, Highlander wrote:

the two screws holding this block on arent actually through holes but through a slot top and bottom, what i did was remove the top screw and gently lever the block upwards off the bottom screw and out the slot.

I tried this but as I levered the block everything else moved too, so not wanting to break anything around there I gave up. Glad to hear its possible so will use that method before trying to remove other parts. ;)

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 12:01pm

Oh, and just thought I'd mention......

...I've just ordered from Fords the plastic rivets mentioned on the site that hold the plastic grill below the windscreen. (The ones that need pliers to remove in bits!) (Finis number 6483390)

They're known to Ford as "caps" and are an amazing 14 pence each!!! Glad I was sitting down as it came as quite a shock!
They're gonna be the cheapest parts I've ever bought from Ford! ;D

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 2:48pm

Having scotchlocked the unit to the wires under the bonnet I would like to make sure they are connecting properly before installing the switch. Is there a test I can do at the switch end with a multi meter to make sure that the connections are correctly made ?.

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 6:08pm

can't you just temporarily solder the wires to the switch before installing (So the switch is loose and hanging by the wires) then test it that way. Then with the engine running and the AC on carry out a test on every switch position.

Once thats done and everything works ok, fit the switch as planned.

Thats my plan anyway ;D

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 8:19pm

Wayne, Thats what I've done but wondered if there was a way of checking the readings etc with a meter.

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 11:10pm

Ahhh,

Sorry Simmo. Read it quickly after work and didnt really pay attention. Think I get what you mean though......
But if the AC works as it should with the switch do you really need to test it??? Or are you just making doubly sure etc?

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 5^th, 2005, 8:57am

Simmo,

I now know exactly where you are coming from ref the tests etc.....

Fitted mine yesterday afternoon (Had snags with that d**n box!!!) All went well though I am still to decide where to mount the switch as I have the light levelling switch?

Anyway-the outside temperature is quite low so the air from the blower is cold anyway, and although a decrease in temp can be felt with the aircon on, there doesn't seem to be much difference when using the switch? Both fully clockwise/anti-clockwise the temp is very cold.
I don't have a digi thermometer so now like you , i guess, i'd like to know if there are any tests that can be done to ensure the switch is working.
ANYONE................?

Fingers crossed ;)

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by scorpio_man on Aug 5^th, 2005, 9:36am

hi there

i would imagine you could measure a difference in resistance between the wires :-/ as that's all the mod is.
re it working. i think, depending on how it's wired, it could be clockwise or anti-clockwise for full boost. my car need a regas, but i got -2oC after a few minutes driving (ford spec is +4oC). i wouldn't run it on full boost for too long, though.

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 5^th, 2005, 11:03pm

Wayne, I'm thinking of mounting mine on the black trim that forms the forward cover in front of and to the right of the the gear lever. ie beneath the dash just below the ash tray, There is ample acess underneath as you can get your fingers easily between the transmission tunnel carpet and the underside of the trim. The control knob would be easily accessible but unobtrusive. Simmo

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 5^th, 2005, 11:32pm

Thanks Scorpio man,

What I really need to know is if the actual connection the Scotchlock made is a good one or not? I know its good from the switch to the lock, but I aren't really too sure if the connection is ok from the lock to the AC side-if you see what I mean.
Physically it looks ok, but is there a means of testing that connection other than the temp from the blower?

Simmo,
What model do you have? I've thought of mounting the switch where you say, but I hate the thought of drilling holes in the interior and having a control knob that looks out of place.
I do have the headlight levelling next to the main light switch, but I thought of replacing that with the AC mod as I don't use the headight knob-though to do that it appears that the whole of the dash would need removing first to get at the rear of it? Too time consuming for me at the mo, so i may just leave the ac switch in the coin tray/drivers glove box for the time being!?!
Wayne

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Highlander on Aug 6^th, 2005, 12:24am

on 08/05/05 at 23:32:54, waynem325 wrote:

Too time consuming for me at the mo, so i may just leave the ac switch in the coin tray/drivers glove box for the time being!?!
Wayne

Yep thats where mine is lol :)

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by Simmo on Aug 6^th, 2005, 6:01am

Wayne. Have a look at this http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/acmod.htm. The switch unit unclips from the dash. If you look at the picture of the swich fitting you will see a sprung metal clip at the end of the unit. By carefully inserting a thin blade between the dash and the unit you can remove the unit. All the advice on the site reminds you to protect the 'wood effect' when doing this. Masking or insulating tape usually does the trick. HTH .

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by craig on Aug 6^th, 2005, 8:41am

to replace the headlight levelling switch with the booster,you do not have to remove the dash,all you need to do is remove the 3 screws and the 2 torx screws that hold the cubby hole in place and drop that..

the hard work is then cutting and shaping the shaft of the booster to fit into the knob of the headlight bezel,litle time consumming,but looks the business in the end.......

HTH

craig

Title: Re: Help needed with AC MOD....please.
Post by waynem325 on Aug 7^th, 2005, 12:14am

I'll have to have a look in more detail when we get back from hols-going on Monday at stupid o clock in the morning.........and I've still got to clean the d**n fish tank and pack etc....>:(.

Thanks for the response everyone-i'll post back if I make any break throughs ;)