Freelander Tailgate Window Repair

Got a MK1 or MK2 Freelander?  Eventually the tailgate window mechanism will stop working and you are going to have to replace it.  The reason for the failure is that it is a cabled system connected to a motor, the cables are steel, the holder clamps for the window glass are cast aluminium, over the years the aluminium oxidises, reacts with the steel cables and they rust through.

So this is how I repaired my Freelander.

The first job is to remove the trim from the tailgate, under the pocket section you will find 4-5 screws to remove and then you need to pull the trim away from the door, start at the bottom and work you way upwards, the trim then unclips from the top hooks.
You are then faced with the foam cover, unless you are buying a replacement, this needs to be carefully peeled away using a sharp blade, cutting through the mastic - the warmer the day the easier it is.
Now you will be able to see the 'gubins'.
You will see the two runners either side of the door, and where the glass clips in, there is a clamp bolt on each of the cast aluminium clams that needs to be loosened, there is also to electrical connections to the window that need to e disconnected.  You should now be able to lift the glass free of the car.
Each runner is held using two nuts at the top and a nut at the bottom, just undo and you should be able to 'jiggle' the runner out of the door.  The motor is held in with three bolts, just loosen them and twist the motor free of the door.
Once everything is out it should look like this.

Taking the cover of the motor will probably show what a state the cabling can get into...

I purchased a kit on eBay for the replacement cables, you can see by the video below (from the supplier) how easy they are to replace, don't believe the video!  I had real problems getting the cables wound onto the reel, they were either too tight or too loose, I actually had to change the run slightly to get the tension correct.

The last job to do was to refit everything, but hold off sticking the foam back.  With different cables in the system, the window will need adjustment using the clamps, this takes a bit of trial and error but after a few adjustments you should be level :)
Have fun.

Most Girls Steal Ashtrays

Caught one of the girls trying to steal an ice bucket full of sweets yesterday, the things you girls can get into a handbag....She was from Croydon....

Coins in your handbag?

Most women have coins rolling around in their handbag, but I found these Roman coins at the bottom of Lizzie's 'titchy' handbag today. I didn't believe I could find anything unusual in such a small bag, but it just goes to show...

Purse, check. Compact hairbrush, check. Assorted drugs, check. Roman coins....

 

 

Drought in Kirdford

There is supposed to be a drought in West Sussex, but today I think someone must have left the hosepipe running...

I was off to see my friend Derek at Sussex Autogas, to discuss the pending service and MOT of my Range Rover, going though the village, past the church, I came to these views.

Well I had a Range Rover didn't I? I should be able to have some fun and get through this. I drove through the first flood and stopped at the brow of the bridge, raised up the suspension to it's highest limit, put the car in drive and went for it.

Well I got half way through the second flood, the other side of the bridge and the Rangie spluttered to a halt and died. Oops! I was a little at a loss as the water was 6" up the doors, hmmm, there was no way I was going to open the door at this point, so I sat there and phoned Derek, his workshop was only 500 yards up the road, hopefully he would pop down with a winch and tow me out, unfortunately Derek was in his car on the way to Pulborough... He said he would call Jay who would come and help me - great I thought.

So sitting there, I thought I would give the Rangie another try at starting (not forgetting that most of the engine was now underwater) - low and behold she started on the button! So keeping the revs up, put her in drive, and slowly drove out of the flood - cool beans!

Unfortunately, she is now running like a dog, so I had to leave the car at the workshop, and walk back to the village, with Jay, We only had to wade through about 4" on the path, so no great shakes. I will pick the Rangie up tomorrow when the engine has dried out a bit...

Sorry no photos of the Rangie sitting in the middle of the flood - well I wasn't going to get out was I?

 

Panasonic Plasma TX-P42S10b 5 Blinks Error Code Repair

Well on New Year's Eve 2011, my 2 year old, Panasonic Viera Plasma TV gave a little pop and the screen died. When I tried to turn it back on, all that would happen was a click and then the LED on the front would blink in sets of 5 blinks. Not a happy bunny.

Knowing that TVs were a pain to fix, and usually not worth the cost, I went out and bought another TV, but the Panasonic was put up in the spare bedroom 'for later examination'.

I did a bit of research on t'internet, but trying to find what the 5 blink error code meant was nigh on impossible, I did find one posting that suggested it could be a board, then another YouTube video, where the guy suggested that it was probably a capacitor that had blown on one of the boards, these can be seen by the slightly bowed top to the capacitor, this sounded the most likely cause...

Well three months went by and I had a free Sunday, it was raining, so I decided to have the back off the telly and see if I could find a "popped' capacitor.

I used my spare bed as a workbench (I thought the duvet would protect the screen), and proceeded to remove the stand and multitude of screws holding the rear cover on. Surprisingly the rear cover was easy to remove, and I could finally see the 'gubbins' inside the telly.

It had been a while since I had done my 'research', and I wanted to figure out which circuit board the 5 blink error code was originating from, blow me if I couldn't find the original article, but what I did find gave me some inspiration, I came across the website of Bix Reclamation and they had a 'Dealer Repair Kit' for my model of TV!
The Repair Kit was £70 so I decided to give it a go, as I was not sure I could see any capacitors blown on my boards (see picture below), I ordered it on the Sunday evening and it was delivered on the Tuesday, great service so far. The contents of the box contained all the circuit boards and controls inside the Panasonic Plasma, wrapped protectively up in bubble wrap, I was very impressed.

So last night, I grabbed my Phillips screwdriver, my glasses, a coffee and set about disemboweling the TV.

 This is what I did...
Step 1 - Replace the main power board in the centre of the telly, my assumption was that this is probably where a capacitor was likely to blow - once replace, I turned the TV on and... no change still 5 blinking lights.

Step 2 - Have another look at t'internet - found a technical manual for Panasonic Plasma TVs, but not my model, but there error code of 5 blinking lights directed you to either the main power board (already swapped out) or the PV5 connections, between the two boards at the bottom and the plasma screen - so I swapped both those boards out as well, one at a time, turning the TV on after each to make sure I had or had not fixed it. Still no luck.

I was starting to get a little disheartened by now, the above board replacements had taken me about two hours and I was starting to think the issue was beyond just swapping out boards...

Step 3 - One last board, I decided to swap out the circuit board to the left of the main power board (these all have very clever names like SSC etc. but it means nothing to me) - it just looked the next biggest with lots of capacitors - low and behold, once I had connected everything back up again, the TV switched on and I had a screen, albeit a screen with a thick white bar down the right hand side, but a working screen.  The white bar was caused by one of the ribbon connectors not being seated properly when I switched out the boards in step 2.

So there you have it, if you have a 5 blink error on your Panasonic Plasma TX-P42S10B Viera Television, go to Bix Reclamation and see if they have a Dealer Repair Kit for it, and replace the big board to the left of the main power board 1st!

Halloween House of Horrors

We popped out tonight to visit our friends Marc a Jodie tonight at the debut of the Halloween House of Horrors, put on by Day and Night Solutions, James Day is the, what can I say, inventor (?), creator, of the House of Horrors, which has grown over the years, to such an extent that the local pub now gives up their garden to host the extravaganza.

If you have the chance, get down to The Bull Inn Horley, nr. Gatwick, and spend £3 to go round the haunted house, you will not believe the effort that has been put into making it a memorable experience for everybody.

Otter Falls for a Week

It was off down to Devon this week, for a break at Otter Falls near Honiton, Lynne had been hankering for another break as soon as we returned from France, and this was her choice; a place where she can relax and I can fish (keeping out of her way).

So what was the place like?  Well it was very relaxed, the people were nice, the location was exquisite and it definitely deserved a write up here.

The Accommodation

The Lodges are constructed from pine beams, raised off the ground on brick pillars, good insulation, warm and homely. Our Lodge had all the home comforts needed, recently refurbished bathroom with shower/bath, a  well equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, large living/dining area with large widows overlooking the top lake and a log burner in the corner. The Lodges are non-smoking of course, but the veranda was perfect to sit out on and watch the world go by.

The only downsides to the accommodation were the cooker was not that good, therefore difficult to bake with and you have to take a meter reading at the beginning and end of your stay and pay for the electric/gas you have used, an all inclusive rental would have been better, but these were minor niggles.

Walking around the complex, it was well set out with only a few lodges per lake, so you were not tightly packed together, then there were the cottages set out with their own little courtyard, the layout had been well thought out.

The Facilities

Otter Falls was well equipped with entertainment for everyone, my daughter and her boyfriend made good use of the swimming pool, sauna and tennis court but there was also a putting green, table tennis room (small table) and games room with a pool table.

In the evening, there is a bar/bistro on site, the Tickled Trout, with a very good selection of food and a well equipped bar, which is good because Otter Falls is in the middle of nowhere, there is not a lot within walking distance.

Talking of walking, they have thought of those of us with dogs, and created a superb dog walking area behind the lakes, with paths around meadows and woods, making you feel safe letting your pet off the lead.  For those a bit more adventurous, the site is next to public footpaths and bridleways, with beautiful views of the Blackdown Hills, especially watching the sun rise over the ridge.

The Fishing

With three lakes to choose from, there is something for every fisherman here.  The top lakes were stocked with carp, tench, perch etc. whilst the bottom lake is stocked with trout.  I only fished the top lake this week, it was nice to set up and then leave everything on the swim whilst I popped back to the lodge for a cup of tea.

What did I catch... tench mainly, a nice perch, and I did loose to very nice carp (I didn't say I was a good fisherman).  Talking to the locals, dog biscuits and bread seem to be the weapons of choice but I got the best results from pork luncheon meat, boilies seemed to be a waste of time as did sweetcorn.

There are quite a few rules for fishing these lakes and it is well worth checking them out prior to visiting the site.