Sit rep for a P38A restoration project

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freder

New Member
Posts
44
Location
Near Angers, France
Okay, I got her beautifully running now, but there are still some nagging points, albeit rather secondary ones:

1. CD-Changer (I posted on this topic earlier on). After trying several things, always without results - CD looking dead, I pulled out the radio and found out that the connector to the CD-changer had been ripped off (by the garage) without telling me. When I reconnect, it works at once, but when I turn off the engine, take out the key, and next start the engine, no radio, no CD. I disconnect the connector from the radio, and the radio works, cassette OK, but no CD. I guess the CD unit is dead. What do you think I should do?

2. HEVAC display, temperatures look OK, but the display is difficult to read. The numbers look scrambled, 20 is displayed like 13 (missing lines). The garage guy tells me that changing the bulbs will not help. I think so. Strangely when I run the car on LOW - LOW setting, after some time the display looks OK. Display is dead, yes?

3. Both safety belts make a rattling sound when the belt is not plugged into them. It is rather annoying. What can I do?

4. I got an idiot scratching the two side pannels of the car to the metal (I feel the scratch under the finger). Just for fun, it was on a parking in the city. What to do? Emigrate to Alaska? Why on earth do they bother? My P38A is cheaper than a Renault Clio.

:)
 
freder said:
Okay, I got her beautifully running now, but there are still some nagging points, albeit rather secondary ones:

1. CD-Changer (I posted on this topic earlier on). After trying several things, always without results - CD looking dead, I pulled out the radio and found out that the connector to the CD-changer had been ripped off (by the garage) without telling me. When I reconnect, it works at once, but when I turn off the engine, take out the key, and next start the engine, no radio, no CD. I disconnect the connector from the radio, and the radio works, cassette OK, but no CD. I guess the CD unit is dead. What do you think I should do?

2. HEVAC display, temperatures look OK, but the display is difficult to read. The numbers look scrambled, 20 is displayed like 13 (missing lines). The garage guy tells me that changing the bulbs will not help. I think so. Strangely when I run the car on LOW - LOW setting, after some time the display looks OK. Display is dead, yes?

3. Both safety belts make a rattling sound when the belt is not plugged into them. It is rather annoying. What can I do?

4. I got an idiot scratching the two side pannels of the car to the metal (I feel the scratch under the finger). Just for fun, it was on a parking in the city. What to do? Emigrate to Alaska? Why on earth do they bother? My P38A is cheaper than a Renault Clio.

:)
Click to expand...
1) if the CD changer works once, it should work again:confused: But you never know, may be dead.
2) if the display is actually scrambled, your best bet is a secondhand replacement. Plenty on ebay.
3) which part of the belt do you mean? the actual belt or the receptacle by the seat? Either way, replacement may be the only option.
4) I have found that in France, running an old P38 classes you as rich, people don't understand that they are dirt cheap to buy. Mine also has a nicely grooved panel:mad:
 
1) if the CD changer works once, it should work again:confused: But you never know, may be dead.

I will try to check this out. Do you know just in case where I can get it repaired or replaced? eBay? But who says that a used model is going to work better?

2) if the display is actually scrambled, your best bet is a secondhand replacement. Plenty on ebay.

OK! Do you have the ID of the replacement part? Or is it standard for all P38s...

3) which part of the belt do you mean? the actual belt or the receptacle by the seat? Either way, replacement may be the only option.

The receptacle! The previous owner tried to glue (!) it to the console to avoid the rattling, I prefer just to put the passenger's belt inside to "lock it".

4) I have found that in France, running an old P38 classes you as rich, people don't understand that they are dirt cheap to buy. Mine also has a nicely grooved panel

Disgusting!

5) Do you know if you can disable the passenger's seat airbag to transport the baby on the front seat? This why I could better take care of him when I am taking him in the car...

As always, thank you for your time!!
 
if you cant get a replecement cd changer post your one to me and il take a look at it as i spent my first 10 years of my working life as a tv/video audio engineer and find my self still fixing stuff for people
. modern engineers it seems have no idea have to service or fix this type of equipment:cool::rolleyes:
 
biketeacherdave said:
if you cant get a replecement cd changer post your one to me and il take a look at it as i spent my first 10 years of my working life as a tv/video audio engineer and find my self still fixing stuff for people
. modern engineers it seems have no idea have to service or fix this type of equipment:cool::rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That is wonderful idea, as I hate to discard things. Thank you!
 
freder said:
1) if the CD changer works once, it should work again:confused: But you never know, may be dead.

I will try to check this out. Do you know just in case where I can get it repaired or replaced? eBay? But who says that a used model is going to work better?

2) if the display is actually scrambled, your best bet is a secondhand replacement. Plenty on ebay.

OK! Do you have the ID of the replacement part? Or is it standard for all P38s...

3) which part of the belt do you mean? the actual belt or the receptacle by the seat? Either way, replacement may be the only option.

The receptacle! The previous owner tried to glue (!) it to the console to avoid the rattling, I prefer just to put the passenger's belt inside to "lock it".

4) I have found that in France, running an old P38 classes you as rich, people don't understand that they are dirt cheap to buy. Mine also has a nicely grooved panel

Disgusting!

5) Do you know if you can disable the passenger's seat airbag to transport the baby on the front seat? This why I could better take care of him when I am taking him in the car...

As always, thank you for your time!!
Click to expand...
There is no means of disabling the passenger airbag, although I may be able to provide you with the means but it is not switchable.
 
The CD changer is cheap enough off Ebay, so I would replace it.

The hevac display will be had it but the hevac units seem to be quite expensive so I think I would leave it unless you try the method I have seen on the internet about applying pressure to the dead pixels for 10 to 15 seconds with a pen or such like.

The seat belt buckles rattled in mine but they were all falling to bits check for this first.

As for the scratch I had mine one day and some c you next Tuesday keyed it down to the metal. I just think a lot of people especially hippie enviroMENTALists types hate Range Rovers.
 
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