Switch pack installation

Would a savvy P38 owner please tell me how to remove the window / sunroof switch pack - the new one has now arrived at the dealers and I hope to collect tomorrow and install this weekend. I have the added nuisance of having to transfer the walnut veneer from my old switch pack to the new one as I have a Vogue SE....I bet that'll take longer than the actual removal and reinstallation!!! I hope not too much brute force is required!!!

rangiegal said:

Would a savvy P38 owner please tell me how to remove the window / sunroof switch pack - the new one has now arrived at the dealers and I hope to collect tomorrow and install this weekend. I have the added nuisance of having to transfer the walnut veneer from my old switch pack to the new one as I have a Vogue SE....I bet that'll take longer than the actual removal and reinstallation!!! I hope not too much brute force is required!!!

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Open the cubby box lid and then remove the two screws at the very top of the switch pack, you will see them when you open the cubby box.

Changing the veneer over to the new pack is easy, just some screws and pop off the little mirror selector switch.

-Wills

Thanks Wills, sounds very easy Will let you know how I get on.....and if it solves the problems!!! Am buying a Faultmate as well, hope to have it within the next week or so - just wondering whether its a good idea to keep an elderly laptop just for the Faultmate unit, or whether I should just install the software on my all-singing-and-dancing Dell....

rangiegal said:

Thanks Wills, sounds very easy Will let you know how I get on.....and if it solves the problems!!! Am buying a Faultmate as well, hope to have it within the next week or so - just wondering whether its a good idea to keep an elderly laptop just for the Faultmate unit, or whether I should just install the software on my all-singing-and-dancing Dell....

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It's personal preference on the Faultmate thing really. Personally I have a laptop dedicated to my Faultmate system, however, I work in IT and im doing all sorts of random stuff all the time on my main laptop so if my laptop wasn't working for whatever reason the one time I really needed to use my diagnostic kit it would be more than annoying, hence the fact I prefer to use a separate laptop for the system.

I just got hold of a cheapo laptop, stuck a copy of XP on it, stripped it right down so it had nothing running, no themes, no eye candy, all non-essential services stopped, basically anything that wasn't needed went and then stuck the Vehicle Explorer software on. I have it out and run the battery right down once a month so I keep the battery in good condition and the rest of the time it just sits in a flight style case ready to be used.



The other thing about using your main/new laptop is the fact when you use the Faultmate system you will probably be outside, it may rain, the laptop may get dirty, damaged, dropped etc - better to do that to an old system you don't care too much about than your new Dell!

-Wills

I've got an ancient Acer available but it won't run XP I don't think - does the software need XP or will it survive with Me perhaps? The Blackbox site advocates the Panasonic Toughbooks - they are pre-XP as well AFAIK. They even have a few for sale between £99 and £129. I think you're right though, I thought it would prob be best to devote a laptop to the software.

rangiegal said:

I've got an ancient Acer available but it won't run XP I don't think - does the software need XP or will it survive with Me perhaps? The Blackbox site advocates the Panasonic Toughbooks - they are pre-XP as well AFAIK. They even have a few for sale between £99 and £129. I think you're right though, I thought it would prob be best to devote a laptop to the software.

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Doesn't have to be XP - I believe 95, 98 and 2000 is supported. I have no idea of ME, that was one version of windows that was, well, crap to be honest If you don't have a serial port and you are going to use the USB to serial converter though Im pretty sure that requires at least 2000 or XP - if you are unsure login to the BBS forums and ask

-Wills

The old Acer has a serial port, the new Dell doesn't - USB needs drivers if its preXP and they can be a real pain to get running compatibly with any older version of windows. I think I've got a full 95 install which I could use with the serial cable and the old Acer, or perhaps buy an old Toughbook with 95 or 98 included. The Dell runs Vista - prob won't like the software and best avoided. Me had a really bad name, although I must say I never had a problem with that install on that laptop.

wills said:

Doesn't have to be XP - I believe 95, 98 and 2000 is supported. I have no idea of ME, that was one version of windows that was, well, crap to be honest

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Erm, I thought that all versions of Windows since 3.1 were crap? All released far too early, with far too many security holes in them and MS relying on "product evolution" - sorry, I mean emergency Patches to fix all the loopholes...!

For Pete's sake Wills -you might of made yer bed before taking that photo !

Back on topic, once you have removed the two screws at the top you have to pull the handbrake gaitor and handle off the handbrake lever
This comes off in one piece and can be a bit of a pig to remove, especially to pull the handle off - it needs a bit of brute strength

v8kenny said:

For Pete's sake Wills -you might of made yer bed before taking that photo !

Back on topic, once you have removed the two screws at the top you have to pull the handbrake gaitor and handle off the handbrake lever
This comes off in one piece and can be a bit of a pig to remove, especially to pull the handle off - it needs a bit of brute strength

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Hi, I am about to embark on the same task! When you say 'Pull The Handle off' do you mean the plastic surround on the end of the Handbrake?

what problem are you trying to fix with the switch pack?

Mr Fabulous said:

Hi, I am about to embark on the same task! When you say 'Pull The Handle off' do you mean the plastic surround on the end of the Handbrake?

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Yes, the bit you wrap your hand round to pull the brake on, it might take a bit of twisting/pulling to remove as its an interference fit

Theres 2 screws at top edge, found when you open cubby box lid.
Then move top edge of panel forwards and gently pull up and back at the bottom, theres 2 tags that sit under the gear selector thingy.
The handbrake lever will come out, ease the gaiter forwards a bit over the handle, the hole the handbrake comes through is slightly wider at the bottom so manouver the handle to the bottom of the hole and then ease it though.
The gaiter is stapled to a plastic ring that clips into the switch pack, dead easy to swap em over.