johndglynn

Having done the ignition switch, next was the was the inoperative spoiler. I checked the wiring and spoiler control box. Sounded all OK. I had volts at the motor too so had to be motor and guide tubes. Got the tailgate panel off and what a lot of stuff in there to greet me. Started taking it apart and eventually got it out, though I did have one seized fastener in those lifter brackets and I cracked the line for the washer - doh! Undid the three bolts holding it all together and could see straight away that the cables were minging. Stripped and cleaned them and soaked the tubes in thinners, regreased the cables and ran them through the tubes to clean them also, cleaned the cables again again, then finally regreased and refitted them. Put the whole lot back in and was slow but not reliable, soon packed in again. I had not checked the motor while it was out - double doh! Manky cables: Clean versus dirty: I stripped the wires leading to the motor from the block connector, as it seemed to work when they were wiggled. Checked the joins and continuity and was fine, so covered them in heatshrink again and knew what needed doing. Stripped it all out again (much faster second time around, especially when you have the hump) and got the motor off. Took that to bits and what a state! Absolutely filthy inside. Anyway, cleaned it all up but found a major problem with one brush spring-locating pin having been dissolved off the base plate. Managed to tie the spring in place and get it all back together with the motor still running. Refitted the complete assembly and is not right, still slow and not good - locking up on retraction. So now I need a new motor or a decent used one for parts; have posted a wanted ad and am checking the usual places.

I said I'd post a bit about the jobs I was doing, here we go then. First day we had the car, I swapped the stereo for a Sony CD unit I had in the garage. The wiring was a bit weird, with switched live not right and only working on certain "in between" positions of the ignition switch, and when the engine was running. I diagnosed a shagged ignition switch and resolved to change it. Second day, the car stranded my Mrs at ballet with the two eldest kids. I talked her through checking the fuel pump fuse and relay, they were all OK. Checked some other fuses and fuse 16 was kaput. Changed that and the car started. Saved me a trip to Northampton to rescue her but now the spoiler would not come up. When it got home I had a look and shot some switch cleaner into the ignition switch, which just made it slow to react in the start position (delayed start by a second or so). The weekend would be time for tools. GSF in Daventry had the switch and a spare fuel pump relay on the shelf, total cost £22. Came home and got to work.I have read where some people have manged to get the switch screw off with the lock in place but God only knows how they did that - I decided taking it apart was an easier option. I took the lower dash panels off as it makes a bit more room. Wheel and column shroud off, then stalks off, then using grips, chisel and drill, I got the shear-headed bolts and the steering lock off. Looked like this: Cleaned out what I could, lubed the lock with a bit of silicone spray and some white grease and put it all back together: Final pic of having just crossed 130k miles: Now I had no ignition probs, all switched lives working fine and starting on the button. Next stop tailgate!

Cheers Adz, has a few dinks but I will sort them easily enough. Not been polished in ages so clayed and zymolled a panel tonight - came up a treat. Will do better pics when it is waxed!

Looking good, the one I spotted was something like J521 ***, was parked along my road the following weekend. Slightly deeper dish to the rims I think - Borbets maybe. Anyway, am sure we'll bump into each other at some stage ;) Thanks for the nice comments guys, have to say this car is a big hit. Am sure it will keep growing on me.

Maybe we have seen each other around - I swapped a wave with a J-plate in your colour a few days ago (Maidford), I was in my white little-bumper Mk 2, had my little one in the pax seat, big smile on my face :) If not then definitely keep an eye out. The teas are on me ;) Geoff is a great guy, have known him a couple of years now and the chats are always excellent. I asked him a while back to give us first refusal on the Corrado so was delighted to get the email to come try it. When I noticed my Mrs was bringing her purple handbag for her test drive, I partly guessed the result was a foregone conclusion!

Thanks Dec. Yes the Sebrings are unusual on a late car. It had 17s on when Geoff bought it, but he was not a fan so they had to go. I agree with him that 15s are enough - these rims are in great condition and I do like the look. They are wrapped in 185/55 P6000s which are all in nice condition, but I'm not a mega lover of 6000s and would like to go to stickier 195/50 rubber, so might switch sometime soon, maybe on different rims. Am keeping my eyes out for other styles that might pop up. At the end of the day though, it's my other half's car, and she will be the judge - already had me put the stock grille back on, which I think is a good call. Cheers for the welcome, JG

Hi everyone, just introducing myself as the new owner of Geoff B's old Blackberry 8v, first registered in October 95. It's my wife's car really, but I paid for it, will spanner on it and no doubt do some miles in it too. The car itself is a peach, just crossed 130k and is a very smooth ride. I'm a fan of the 8v cars so is exactly what I was after. Lots of stamps in the service book and very tidy in the body, which is how I like to buy them nowadays. The paint colour is great - we love purple and this is our third car in this shade. Mrs G is very impressed with the way it drives - this may even be the first car I get her to do a track day in. She's also a big fan of the fuel economy and reckons she's been getting up to 40 mpg out of it. Few jobs already done, and some of the info on the board has definitely been useful. Will post some pics of parts in pieces later, but in the meantime, here's some shots of the car just after we picked it up. Cheers all, John G