Lovejoy

So - the wiring looks OK to a visual check; nothing obviously worn or cut. I've disconnected the temperature gauge sender, and the needle stays at the cold point of the gauge with the ignition on. So it looks like that's the faulty part, and I've ordered one. I expect it'll be a bit of a pain to change; I guess you have to drain the system first? I think it'll be OK to drive in the meantime - the sender just controls the gauge, and there's a different sensor to supply temp info to the ECM. cheers Michael

Yeah, I did that on the way home - heating on full, all windows open! :) It's a 2.3; I'll see if I can find the sensor... my Haynes manual says the sensor's on the underside of the thermostat. I'll go and have a look. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I'm not really much good with cars, so I'm looking for some advice, please! Driving last night I saw the temp gauge was almost in the red, so I assumed there was a cooling problem. But the coolant tank is full, and there's no water in the oil; I haven't checked the pump yet, so I don't know if that's OK or not. But when I switched on the ignition this morning, the gauge was pointing at the 'N' of 'NORM', already about a quarter of the way across, instead of cold. So I'm wondering, is this a sensor problem or something? Any ideas?

Thanks for the help - I'll keep working on it and see if I can loosen it any more... and I'll have a quick ebay hunt for a 3 bolt linkage just in case. cheers Michael

Well, I'm no further forward... the right hand side spindle is still stuck firm. Using mole grips and all the force I can manage, I can get maybe an 1/8th of a turn from it, but no more. I've drilled 6 holes through the casing and soaked it in WD40 for 2 days now, but it's no better. Unless anyone can suggest another way to loosen it, I reckon I may have to replace it. It's a three bolt linkage. Will a four bolt fit (obviously with one bolt not fitted!) or are the fittings in different places? There's a guy 20 minutes away with a four bolt linkage for sale, y'see... but if it won't fit, I'll keep looking. Does anyone know? cheers Michael Lovejoy

OK, I got the linkage out, and one spindle was tight, but not seized. I've got that one out, clean it up and re-greased it. Problem is, the other side is seized solid. I can't get even a hint of movement. I'm tempted to try and use mole grips on the bottom part to try a loosen it, but I can't help wondering if this might shear it instead... I might try an overnight oil bath first. Or maybe heat - would heat help? The other problem is that the arm connecting the linkage to the motor was not attached. I can only assume it had worked loose due to the seized spindle. Unfortunately, this means I have no idea what the correct position is to reattach it.... is there any way to work that out? Thanks for your help, Michael Lovejoy

Thanks - I'll give it a go this morning.

One quick question - my Haynes manual seems to say that I have to take the motor off with the linkage - is this correct?

Thanks - I was leaning towards a seized mechanism, I just wanted someone else to say it before I went in with the spanners! The motor makes a noise, and the washer bottles squirt OK, so I don't think it's a fuse problem. I can move the drivers side wiper arm by hand, but the passenger side arm won't budge. I'm guessing that's the seizure. Time to open the toolbox and cross my fingers!

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've just bought a 1999 2.3 Ghia X tonight. Everything seemed OK when I checked it over, but once I was home I realised I hadn't checked the windscreen wipers. And they don't work! When I switch them on, I can hear a buzzing noise which I assume is the motor, but they don't move at all. Can anyone suggest what I should check first? Thanks, Michael Lovejoy