I think I've got it!

BEFORE I start this blog I want to apologize for the shocking photo quality you are about to see.
Owning a standard white iPhone 4s I wanted to be unique, stand out from the crowd and I bought a replacement back cover and front screen, in blue. Now, I tried fitting it to the iPhone yesterday, and I stripped a screw (darn it) but decided to put the new blue back cover on anyway, while I figure out what to do with the stripped screw.
Anyway, the long and short of it is: the plastic camera lens ON the cover is VERY bad quality, thus - with the cover fitted I took pictures that you'd associate with a Samsung! Anyway, I took it all apart today and replaced it again with the original back cover and took apart the blue back cover.
It didn't take much to get the see through plastic out, I gave it a quick rub and clean but this didn't even slightly affect the quality of the pictures. I then decided to take it completely off and buy a replacement part from eBay, can't be THAT hard to fit - can it?
  

As you can see the top picture is blurry.

The clear part of the cover came out easily, but to get the black plate and chrome ring took a little effort, and I mean, slight effort LOL.

Now to wait on a replacement.

Ok, iPhone out of the way - you DID see right. After a couple weeks of, I really want to get this pressure washer and either not having enough pennies or it going back up to the full selling price I have finally got my pressure washer. I am so excited I could wet myself, lol.

Now: Crimp on spade connectors.
For weeks these have been my demons but I think, I just might think I have got it.... (Thank you Suzy and Brother.. everyone off the Forum, even one chap on my Facebook - everyone who has offered help and advice with this, stupidly easy job!)
It seems despite my efforts in finding ''decently priced'' and pictures of what seem good, half decent crimp on spade connectors I bought some incredibly cheap tat off Flea-Bay. So cheap that in fact the male spade wouldn't fully connect into Mrs Spade. Check out the pic.

It seems Mr Spade was a little too big for Mrs Spade, lol.

I chopped his knob off and so, they lived happily ever after.

The tape in the car will be brown to match the colour of the connector that was taken out. I will do a neater job on the car, I promise!

Back up plan:

If anyone knows how I managed to get this metal crimp plate out of this connector, please let me know..............

More Information on Miss Pug

Well as my followers know, I absolutely adore this car.

I can tell you that Miss Pug left the production line, Thursday 16th November 2000 in Sochaux, France.
I can also tell you that when she made it over here in the UK she was registered in May 2001 in Reading, putting her on a Y plate. I can also tell you that she is a ''restyling'' which means she is the face-lifted 406 design, on the forum we call them the D9's.
The differences between the D8's and D9's are most told by the front end, in particular the grille. On the D8's they have a slatted grille, with solid paintwork of the car running from left to the right of the car with the Peugeot Logo slap bang in the middle, very solid pieces of metal.
On the D9's we have a ''honeycomb'' mesh. Another difference is the headlights, the D9 has clear glass headlights.

To put that into pictures:

Here is the D8 (I suppose you could call it a MK1, notice the heavy thick set metal that carries the cars colour...)

This is my D9 (Mk2, Notice the ''honeycomb'', Personally I prefer this one but I possible am a little biased!)

Ok, back to Miss Pug.
I can tell you her paint colour is a ''China Blue'' and I can also tell you this is by far the sexiest colour for the 406's. EVER.
I can also tell you her model is a 406 LX Family. Family meaning she is no ordinary estate, she has 7 seats. Yes, 7 seats. I have wanted one of these for a little while, a 7 seater capable of a 3 point safety harness in the back row. A little surprised given the age they do not support ISOFIX but that's no biggy, lol.
She has a EW10J4 engine installed, which means this sexy bitch is a 2.0 16valve petrol. I am still not 100% convinced on her specific engine, she has at minimum 126BHP, at most, 141bhp.
Her catalytic converter is a 3 part piece. Most cars are fitted with 3 way converters because of the 3 pollutants found in the exhaust system, which are: Carbon Monoxide, Unburned Hydrocarbon and Oxides of Nitrogen.
I can also tell you that Miss Pug has a ''harmony'' horn sound, and I can also tell you Miss Pug has air conditioning (which works might I add!).
I can also tell you the battery that failed late last year after being left to die - was the original. That battery was 12 years old.
The D9's also scored better in the EURO NCAP tests.
I can also tell you that the Peugeot 406 is based upon the Citroén Xantia.
In line with PSA group policy, the Peugeot 406 was launched 2 years later than the Xantia, using the same floorpan, core structure and engines as the Xantia. The hydroactive suspenstion was not carried over, and the 406 had more traditional spring suspension.
Whilst my car is clearly ''based a little upon'' the Citroén Xantia, I refuse to have it classed as a product of PSA... To me - common PSA practice is the Peugeot 106 vs Citroén Saxo, the Peugeot 806 vs Citroén Synergie / Fiat Ulysse, you know stuff that only really looks different with badges.. Where as the 406 vs Xantia have many many differences, for instance in my opinion the Xantia looks cheaper made, the interior looks fucking awful and the car body work resembles NOTHING of a 406, well at least - not to me anyway.

My engine, the EW10J4 is common in Peugeot 206's, 307's and 407's.

The Peugeot 406 was awarded The What Car? ''Car of the Year'' in 1996 and was awarded ''Towcar of the Year'' by the Caravan Club in 2001. It also won the Semperit, Irish car of the Year 1997.


I can also tell you that she is, although not as iconic as the 205 is to me, she is still very iconic and my pride and joy. If I could, I'd have another 205 in a heart beat, they were and still are every bit of iconic as they were in the 1980's. They kick ass and mean business. Designed by Pininfarina (who designed the 406 coupé) they had all the curves in the right places, so so easy to work upon, things in the right places, and I just have an undying urge to one day get another and keep it as a nip around here there and everywhere car.... maybe one day I can fulfill that dream...

Anyway, hope you've enjoyed reading the facts about my sexy sexy bitch...... I am proud to have her on my drive - when I am out there and punching the chassis I may say different, or when I can't do something on her........... we shall see...... Watch this space, I have had a brainwave and this car should be back on the road soon - very very excited about that.............
**INSERT MASSIVE SMILE HERE**




Brief summary of the upcoming jobs: (no new jobs, just lingering old ones...)


* Prize out the metal crimp plates on existing seat belt pre-tens on the passenger side. reconnect and plug back into each other. If this is not possible, install crimp on spade connectors.
* Disconnect battery (yes, again)
*Carefully prize out the ABS sensor on the Rear O/S wheel (already removed the wheel again, moved the car forward on on the drive to improve access) IF I can *carefully and gently* clean up the mating faces on the sensor and put back into the car, hopefully all will be well. However I fear that it being such a delicate job, the sensor may just need a straight replacement. In which case I will need to follow the ABS sensor cable up into the car, I have reason to believe it comes in under the rear seating bench.

When those jobs are done:
* Damn good clean out, including rear seating bench *insert embarrassed smiley here*
* Tidy tools again
* Hoover out (think about nice blue mats for the footwells)
* Think about an MOT and run through MOT checks

''Just Kidding''

Well, I knew I had got away with it too easily.
ABS - Clean up.
ABS light went out and warning lights disappeared.
While the caliper was still off I connected the battery to run the car and up to temperature to see if the error would come back to bite me in the ass. It didn't.
I then proceeded to put the caliper back on and put the car almost whole again.

I have moved her forward on the drive; again no warning error at all came back.
However - Yesterday. Just as the key was turned it made an unsightly appearance.
She really was ''just kidding'' with me. Arrrghhh - can't help but be a little frustrated, but knew this day would come and rather it now than in the MOT garage.


Speaking of MOT, I have found a garage that will do her MOT, in Swindon, Wiltshire.
None of the local garages I trust so it's going over there.

I knew I got away with it, FAR too easily.

Today I have replaced my hydroulic Jack.
Only a cheap one but it will do the job, nicely and it's here with me.

Another replacement purchase.

The scissor jack that came with the car only went so high so I hope that being able to get this in will allow me to put it a little higher for the axle stands and therefore again, improve access.

I may well be blogging some **VERY** exciting news within the next 24 hours, keep posted for more information, I assure you this though - Should all go ahead you will, like me, nearly die from the excitement!


Miss Pug, I am coming for you. Your ass it going back in the air and I will sort your ABS sensor if it's the last thing I ever do............
Electrics have been put to the side while I learn how to crimp these spade connectors, lol.
(It can't be that fucking hard BUT I need to make sure I get this 100% right or someone will have an airbag in their face and I bet you that's me!).

Almost whole - But looks are deceiving.....

Well today I turned a corner in my life.
I reached the ripe old age of 28. Yes, thats twenty eight.
I have always been a little wise beyond my years but I was mistaken for a woman in her thirties in January by my support worker... I soon told her where to get off and informed her I was still in my twenties, lol.

I had a meeting in a local town this morning, which over-run slightly. I did a bit of typical Sonia shopping, in out in out, shake it all about, not the typical woman that stands around for ages and just window shops, If I need something I look for it, if they don't sell it - I move on.

Anyway, I arrived home at around 12.45, had a very very quick lunch, drink and then got changed and went out to play with Miss Pug.
I went straight under the car, I wasted no time what so ever. Caliper bolts in hand.
I had previous issues with aligning them properly, and after a few minutes of further failing to realign properly to thread the bolt (lower one first) I decided I had to get a torch. Not even owning a torch I remembered on my old key fob I had a little duracell thing I think it was. Sure enough I could see properly to do it and my perfectionism came in here because I wanted to bolt them up in place, but I had to just thread the bottom one in first then bring the top round to do it as I couldn't get it in ''the right place'' so made do with banging one in and then moving on to the next.
Both bolts in, and tightened.
I then put on the wheel and tightened the wheel nuts.

I then set about getting the scissor jack out. At this precise moment my neighbour returned and generally asked how it was going. Gave him the thumbs up and said I didn't half look the part in my over alls. He came to look at the wheel on the car. Said I had done a good job and doing well. His wife also very impressed at my achievements. It's at this point I must confess, although I am physically doing the work myself it is NOT without heavily influenced information and support from a mechanic friend from the 406oc forum.
Anyway, I showed them that I had cleaned it out (ish) and showed them the wiring problem, he misses his Peugeot, he seems as dedicated to them as I am..... Okay - perhaps not THAT much.

Anyway, I looked at the time, 14:10. I had to leave for school in half an hour and that's not without finishing the car and changing out of my over alls.

I then performed miracles.
Near side went up via the jack faster than you could say 'bend over Sonia!'
Whisked the axle stand out.
Off side went up via the jack faster than you could say 'haven't you got arm ache?'
Whisked the axle stand out.
Opened the bonnet, reconnected the negative battery terminal.
THREW tools in the boot (yes yes, I will have to tidy that out tomorrow again!)
Quickly bolted the rear 2 seat bolts back on the drivers seat (to keep it in relatively the same place lol)
Started her sexy ass back up, heard her roar at me. Pressed the brake pedal, slow but firm all the way down a few times to stiffen the pedal back up and get things 'flowing' again.
Jumped in, ready to shift her forward on the drive to improve access.



Can you spot what I didn't do?



I got in, put her into first and her back end re-adjusted to being on the ground again. Then remembered BEFORE I moved anywhere that I still had the chocks in front of the front wheels..... Whoops! At least I didn't drive over them.. lol.

Anyway, got out, threw them in the passenger side and continued with my rushed job.
I again put her into first, eased forward only slowly and tested the brakes, All working - no problems what so ever. I eased her forward and into position. I then ran her up to temperature, which on a bright hot sun day didn't take too long. Still no sign of the ABS fault coming back to haunt me nor the EML. (YAY!)
She will have to go back up on the axle stand to correct the torque pressure behind the caliper bolts, but that's my own ignorance, I didn't want to break the bolt and I hadn't heard the torque wrench click so didn't want to pressure it too much, lol.

With her sexy bottom moved up the drive I of course, seized a quick opportunity to take pictures before the school run. She is still filthy but I will get a pressure washer soon, as a late Birthday present to myself.

Enjoy these beautiful pictures. P.s I forgot to put on the rear wheel covers; being in the garage and all.

SEX on wheels. Pure and simple.

Next Jobs:

* Reinstate air bag electrics, attack drivers connections with my mate WD40

* Put wheel covers on

* Take pictures of the rear seating row, buttons and the fact it does fold down.....

* Continue operation tidy and clean up, starting with the tools I just threw in the boot lol

* If feeling adventurous, get sponge out and hot soapy water - or should I just wait for pressure washer now? lol

* Lift boot carpet to look for rear seat covers that would cover the protruding bolts I found on Sunday afternoon.

* Look at N/S front fog lens, if any cracks or holes in glass get some clear tape to cover, if no holes or cracks, up on axle stand and withdraw bulb and wipe off condensation from the lens.

Operation Clean up & AIRBAGS

Let's hit you with pictures first in this blog.

The boot: BEFORE

Car: BEFORE

You can see by the rear foot well that I had cleaned her before and that part had stayed almost immaculate, lol.

The car: Passenger Foot well: BEFORE

Would you look at all the space in there now?

RUBBISH got out of the car (black bag)
Gloves, goggles, all protective stuff (white carrier bag)
Drive bars, breaker bar, sockets, other SCREW type stuff (brown box) Anything else in the crisp box.

I am no specialist in Peugeot build quality but the last time I looked they did much better than 2 bolts coming OUT of the rear seating bench............. (WOULD LOVE TO SEE A PICTURE OF WHAT I AM MISSING BY THE WAY)

Good progress!

NEARSIDE: Missing LX badge.
I found the L today, it must of been inside the drivers seat as it was found on the rear bench and would not of been there before.

The image that pushed me too far.
I am sorry Miss Pug. xx

Getting there: albeit slowly.

Now, starting today was easy, I just started to tidy the tools into boxes and just generally clean.
I did the boot, it was empty, I then started on the passenger side, I then hoovered the passenger foot well, then took an interior wipe to the dash, hand brake console and even the ''PEUGEOT'' on the door plate. I slowly worked towards the back.
I got to the boot again, already tidy and clean, thought I'd lift up the extra seats and see what it was like under there.
I saw more mold and it was at that point the typical woman in me came out on show.
I actually had tears in my eyes.
A car I love with all my heart in such a dirty, messy, state. I am ashamed of myself for letting her get so bad. I guess those seats must of been in that condition when I folded them a year ago now - WHY did I leave it like that? 5 kids running around me I suppose would be the answer to that.
My poor Peugeot looks like it's unloved and that is so far from the truth it's unbelievable.

Checks done: Drivers seat connections reattached, passenger side LIVE not touching anything it shouldn't, Passenger AIR BAG OFF via central console. Battery negative reconnected, All I need to do is grow some balls and turn the key.......

Well, this answers the whole 126k mileage thing, lol.
Whilst I am disappointed the AIRBAG light remains flashing it's sexy ass at me, I am also pleased to report at present the EML and ABS fault have gone away :)

LOOKING (dare I say this) ''normal''.... AIRBAG light was flashing on and off though and this picture taken when it was 'off'' lol.

Where to go from here:

* Reconnect the passenger side seat belt pre-tensioners. I am in two minds whether to try and re-install the previous connection boxes or to try and use these crimp spade connectors.

* When above job complete, run engine to temperature looking out for the EML / ABS light to come back on.  
     - If ABS light comes back on, undo the sensor retaining bolt, gently remove sensor, clean up and put back in and repeat above step.
    - If ABS light does not come back on, put caliper back on and wheel.
(IF and when wheel is put back on, shift it forward to improve access).


* Look at the minor cosmetic damage (non existent but I am a perfectionist)

* Baby oil over the roof bars

* Visit a scrappy with a donor 406 in, I need to rob some parts :)

Too much to list! :)


Perhaps I should also mention that yesterday I had a few heart palpitations when I was tightening the nearside rear wheel nuts and the WHEEL MOVED. My initial thought was 'bugger, that hand brake really needs looking at'.
However, today I just ''checked'' it was up as far as it would go; nope - it clicked three more times and thus, wheel is secure now. :)

OPERATION: Clean up

So - my car has not been cleaned for months. Okay, nearly a whole year.
Needless to say there is moss growing in places unimaginable, even mold on the seat belts and tools thrown here, there and everywhere in Miss Pug.
As a direct result of the latter, I have lost my winder from the original scissor jack.
I am going to pack away my sockets into the right specified places in the boxes, and tidy up the tools a lot. I need to give her an extremely deep clean but a good clean tomorrow should ease the cleaning load a little. I want to focus on the interior tomorrow.
I will tidy and put away the tools, I will scrub the mold off the seat belts and seats and I will hoover the sexy car out. IF I get around to it I may well try and wash the outside of her, but with no hose pipe or proper sponge - that may break ones back. I remember the last time I did it lol. I want to perhaps wait for the pressure washer to accomplish the outside.

I am actually looking forward to making her go from a car, littered with tools and signs of neglect to making her gleam and shine again. It may not make much difference as it's all on the inside but it will matter to me, I want to show her I love her and I respect her, I want people to look at her and go 'WOW, look at that, what a fine example of the 406 right there'

With the seats removed I can access all those 'hard to reach' areas the vacuum wouldn't usually reach.

These tools need to be put away tomorrow, all sockets need to be put away in their correct location within the socket box, all spanners put back in their place, everything needs a home!

Passenger footwell: Every where is littered with tools and a little rubbish!

 

 

 

I am looking forward to starting on this task tomorrow. I will of course take pictures and post them when I am done, with such a huge job to do, I may only manage half a jobs worth, I definitely have my work cut out.

If feeling adventurous tomorrow and wanting to be mechanical, I may tackle the ABS sensor retaining bolt, let's see how my back and stomach feels tomorrow....... (long story, injured myself today with the caliper mounting bolt).

P.s - anyone in the area wanting to offer elbow grease, feel free.............

ABS and Air Bags Electrics

Right well, being +3 degrees outside this morning, one had to take advantage of such warm weather......
I set up as per usual, tarpaulin on the ground, was able to wear my over alls to save my clothes and they did keep me a little warmer I admit. I also went out in my WRC woolie hat...
Yesterday I removed the guide pin bolt and today I have removed the caliper mounting bolt.
Both bolts needed good old elbow grease and some WD40 to free them, I am no light weight and I have always been a very strong woman but these two bolts took it out of me and between them both, I've hurt both shoulders lol.
A bit of wiggling later and I removed the caliper.
I've sprayed some brake and clutch cleaner on the effected area and this is a working progress. Probably going to have to replace the ABS sensor.

You can clearly see the ABS sensor here. I have already attacked it with the brake cleaner spray.

I assure you, under there, there were bits of dirt, rust and brake crap flying everywhere, so I took no chances and protected myself, with not only gloves, a filtration mask and protective glasses. Believe me, you only get dirt in your eye once before you take better precautions next time, oh and the boys WRC hat to keep ones head warm, served well as the front of the hat went over the glasses so no dirt could get just before the glasses :)

Now, did anyone see Top Gear on 24/02/13 and think of me?
They bought a Fiat Multipla and converted for the older people in the Country...  They took out the passenger air bag (OF ALL AIRBAGS!) and they first had to defuse the airbag... they showed two cables and didn't know which to cut... Those scenes were hilarious to watch!
Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter which orange cable meets the pink and which orange cable meets the blue.
I admit that I still am not 100% sure on this but I have now very little choice on what to do. I have removed the drivers seat to look-see, and sure enough the brown box has a different number on.
I believe it's a 5, although admittedly it may be a 3 - I have lost my glasses. I am pretty sure it's a number 5 though.

What ever is written on those orange cables are very much, illegible.

Definitely puts new meaning to ''back seat driver''

Drivers seat before it was removed.
(Added for reference).

Just look at how much space has been achieved by removing the passenger seat - I must say, I am impressed lol.

Best seat in the car now, lol.

Can you read it? 'Cos I sure can't!

It doesn't show up at all, but blue is numbered 9 and the brown is numbered 8.

Still have a LOT of work to do on her and she needs a damn good clean - I hope to scrap some pennies together soon for a pressure washer. Though I admit I am tempted to just go out there with my sponge and have a good feel of her curves........... remind her she's loved and that I am trying my best.