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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Wednesday September 19th, 2007 10:28 am |
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As you may see from the threads I've started, I'm planning to do some work on my mini (winter must be approaching!).
This question is:- am I the only one who has a slow running clock on the MPI? There's been plenty of people commenting on the fuel guage, which I suffer from too, but does anyone have an accurate clock?
And is there any way of adjusting its' slow running, as you can on a wind up alarm clock?
Just thought I'd ask - might be another job I can complete during the dark season!
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Wednesday September 19th, 2007 10:29 am |
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And how have you lot managed to get a good, clear avatar picture?
Am I doing something wrong!!!
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Wednesday September 19th, 2007 11:54 am |
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Not sure about the clock, but as for you're avatar picture, what software did you use to resize it?
I just start with a full size picture and then resize it to the maximum allowed which is 100x100px, whilst maintaining the aspect ratio.
You're digital camera software should be able to do that for you if you use the edit function.
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Wednesday September 19th, 2007 01:27 pm |
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Taffy - you over estimate my digi camera abilities (or under estimate my incompetence! Take your pick).
I opened up in 'my pictures' (so I'm guessing some sort of MS product) and resized (I think) using pixels as you say on the computer, not the camera! Thought I'd got it sussed until it appeared on-line!
I'll play later, and at least everyone can see its' red (and everyone knows red ones are fastest!) even if the clock doesn't work properly/fuel guage tells lies/ looks as if its on stilts/ is slowly rusting away etc etc..........
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Wednesday September 19th, 2007 08:49 pm |
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Well I resize my pictures via the software that came with my digital camera. I always download my pictures to that and edit them using it too.
I've also got an old programme called Microsoft Picture It which can do the same, although I've found that image quality does drop significantly if I use that instead of the camera software.
If you want you could send me a large picture of you're car (the one you want to use as you're avatar picture) and I could resize it for you instead and send it back.
I don't want to disclose my e-mail address on the forum, so I'll send you a PM containing it. Or you can reach me via the link at the bottom of my Mini history website home page: -
http://minis.freeservers.com/
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Thursday September 20th, 2007 09:58 am |
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Taffy,
Many thanks - I'll get onto that tonight & get it sent to you (need to have the car looking at its best!). Promise not to do it while the rugby's on!
One day I'll catch up with technology (or maybe not! At least not as long as the car I drive was designed in the '50s!!!)
And I'm also guessing I'm the only one with a wonky clock - good job I've got a watch - may even upgrade to one of these new fangled digital jobbies one day. 
Last edited on Thursday September 20th, 2007 10:01 am by Graham Bichard |
Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Thursday September 20th, 2007 10:00 am |
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| Smart website by the way!
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Thursday September 20th, 2007 12:05 pm |
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Thanks and don't worry, it's better not to be a techno-nerd (or whatever their called) and to be honest I've only just upgraded to Windows XP from Windows 98SE!
I wouldn't worry too much about getting it to concourse standard, because the avatar picture is so small and you're not going to be able to tell.
As for the Mini, well that may have originally been designed then, but it was certainly the car of the future anyway.
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hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Sunday September 23rd, 2007 02:48 pm |
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Anyway back on topic.
Yes my clock works fine.
Are your battery and earth connections all good?
It may be that the clock has got damp in it and needs servicing, it's a simple electric clock so any clock/watch repairer can service it for you.
Theyre made by either CAI (aka Smiths) if you have the small adjuster button at the bottom or VDO if you have the large adjuster in the centre, I beleive CAI now own VDO gauges too now.
They can repair it or make a new one to match.
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Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Monday September 24th, 2007 11:54 am |
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So it is only my car!
Cheers hawaiianblue, I must have the VDO clock - I will check the conections, but as the clock work constantly, but too slowly, I can only assume there is a constant supply.
Do you have any contact details for VDO/CAI?
Cheers
Last edited on Monday September 24th, 2007 11:54 am by Graham Bichard |
hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Monday September 24th, 2007 05:28 pm |
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Graham Bichard wrote: So it is only my car!
Cheers hawaiianblue, I must have the VDO clock - I will check the conections, but as the clock work constantly, but too slowly, I can only assume there is a constant supply.
Do you have any contact details for VDO/CAI?
Cheers
If it has a bad earth, the clock may run, but it may not be getting enough voltage to run at the correct speed, these clocks run on voltage for their time keeping rather than a quartz crystal (though i've never striped one from an MPi) Electromechanical clocks basically have a small electric motor which drives a movement, much like the spring drives a wind up clock.
If you've ever had the glass on the gauges mist up on the inside this could also indicate a problem (leaking windscreen) obviously if this was the case then you could have internal corrosion on the movement.
CAi - Smiths website is http://www.caigauge.com/
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taffy1967
Member
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Posted: Monday September 24th, 2007 09:10 pm |
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I know Speedy Cables do speedometer and other automotive instrument repairs, so it might be worth phoning them for a quote too?: -
http://www.speedycables.co.uk/
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hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Tuesday September 25th, 2007 06:39 pm |
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taffy1967 wrote: I know Speedy Cables do speedometer and other automotive instrument repairs, so it might be worth phoning them for a quote too?: -
http://www.speedycables.co.uk/ Same company as CAI, Speedy bought them a couple of years ago.
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oz
Moderator
| Joined: | Wednesday January 31st, 2007 |
| Location: | Livingston |
| Posts: | 74 |
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Posted: Monday October 1st, 2007 05:50 pm |
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Graham Bichard wrote: This question is:- am I the only one who has a slow running clock on the MPI? There's been plenty of people commenting on the fuel guage, which I suffer from too, but does anyone have an accurate clock?
Hey Graham,
You are not alone; the clock on my MPI is pants. It seems have the power cut when the alarm and immobiliser go on.
I was gonna have a go at sorting it out, but it’s not really bothering me so I’ll leave it well alone. Don’t like messing about with the electrics and I’m too tight to take Emily to a proper sparky.
Oz
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hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Monday October 1st, 2007 06:31 pm |
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oz wrote: Graham Bichard wrote: This question is:- am I the only one who has a slow running clock on the MPI? There's been plenty of people commenting on the fuel guage, which I suffer from too, but does anyone have an accurate clock?
Hey Graham,
It seems have the power cut when the alarm and immobiliser go on.
Classic bad earth fault. Check, clean and tighten all your earth points, if one is palying up then chances are they all are. It's worth doing to ward off more serious problems before they happen, you might also find the car runs better.
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oz
Moderator
| Joined: | Wednesday January 31st, 2007 |
| Location: | Livingston |
| Posts: | 74 |
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Posted: Monday October 1st, 2007 07:27 pm |
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hawaiianblue wrote: Classic bad earth fault. Check, clean and tighten all your earth points, if one is palying up then chances are they all are. It's worth doing to ward off more serious problems before they happen, you might also find the car runs better.
Jings. Never thought of that!!
Can't say I've noticed any probs with the running, but better safe than sorry.
Cheers for that hawaiianblue.
Last edited on Wednesday October 3rd, 2007 03:21 pm by oz |
Graham Bichard
Member
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Posted: Wednesday October 3rd, 2007 12:37 pm |
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| Come on then hb, tell us where the earth points are? (Electrics aren't my strong point either, oz) Last edited on Wednesday October 3rd, 2007 12:37 pm by Graham Bichard |
hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Thursday October 4th, 2007 05:53 pm |
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Pop the radio out, there is an eyelet bolted to the bottom dash rail, this isnt normally a problem but worth checking.
In the engine bay on the drivers side at the end of the cross member, you might need to remove the ECU and bracket to get access, unscrew it clean off the metal underneath with sand paper slap some copper grease on it and tighten it back up again.
There is another behind the petrol tank which earths all the rear lights and fuel pump.
Check the condition of the engine earth strap and make sure the engine steady bolts are tight.
Then of course there is the main one, where the battery negative lead bolts to the boot floor.
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jamesquintin
Member
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 09:49 am |
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Hi all
My clock ticks forward when the engine is running, and backwards when the engine is switched off!
Any ideas?
Q
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hawaiianblue
Member
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Posted: Saturday October 20th, 2007 11:55 am |
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Strange one....
Only thing you can do with that is unplug the clock and connect a multimeter to the clocks wires on the harness.
See if the polarity reverses when the engine is on/off, assuming it doesnt, which it shouldn't, then you need a new clock.
With people paying such crazy prices for used MPi clocks on ebay, i'd suggest returning the clock to CAi for a service, they may just recycle the face and bezel and fit it to a new movement and case for you.
nb. If you dont have a multimeter, you can buy them for £3 and upwards, £40 gets you a highspec automotive one.
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