Hi,
I am trying to remove my centre console to determine whether I have power to my fan switch (the blower motor is not working). I've proceeded according to my workshop manual, but am a little bewildered at the statement "Remove the trip computer control box from the console".
I cant see any retaining screws and don't want to start prying around the faceplate of the unit in case I break it. Can anyone please give me some tips on how to remove the trip computer control box from the centre console? For info, I have removed the gear lever/balance control/lighter/radio and front and rear retaining screws - it is the trip computer that has me stumped.
Regards,
Paulcnb

Just gently pry the control panel's faceplate off, trying to remove it an even amount by each side. Usually the control panel comes apart at this stage, causing the buttons to go EVERYWHERE. But don't worry, it clips back together. Just make sure you've got some kind of a reference as to where the buttons go. Then you can withdraw the rest of the control panel, and disconnect the large multiplug at the back.

For reference, the buttons go in this order:
Top row:
Av. Speed, ETA, Inst. Cons, Av. Cons, Dist, Clear
Bottom row:
Time, El. Time, Hold, Stop/Start, Arr. Dist, Set

Many thanks for that information. I will get back to it tomorrow morning. Your advice re button positions will also be very handy.

Regards,
Paulcnb
1985 SD1 VDP

Paul,

Tip of the day.

You can prevent the buttons and switch from disintegrating by prying the bezel as close towards the centre as possible where it collects the metal frame of the unit as well.

Button Grief is an affliction well avoided and finding that little spring (otherwise known as a "wheredatgo?") that sits behind the switch when it pops off into the boonies is a real trial.

Ramon

Yeah tell me about it!! Have almost gone blind from looking for that damned spring before!!!

Thanks for your advice Chris and Ramon.

I have removed the trip computer and managed to retain all of the buttons in their righful places. But I do have one other question - the workshop manual says to remove the hand brake rubber grip but does not say how it comes off the handle. Does it simply twist off?

The grip seems to have welded itself to the hand brake handle and no amount of twisting (by hand) will budge it I was thinking of running a thin screwdriver under the rubber grip to loosen it - or is there a alternative technique for removing the damn thing?

Your help is appreciated - I'm beginning to feel like I should have left the damn thing alone!

Regards,
Paulcnb
'85 VDP

I know what you mean, I started to feel like that last time I took a centre console out!
I ended up buying a new handbrake grip & cutting the old one off with a Stanley knife....
Make sure you lube up the new grip with plenty of fairy liquid before sliding it over the handbrake, if you don't, it will end up stuck wherever it stops moving....

You were halfway there Paul!

Take your long, thin screwdriver (or knitting needle) and poke it all the way to the bottom between the grip and the metal handle.

Run some WD40 down the gap and Presto!

Comes off quicker than a ferret up yer trouser leg!



Ramon

That did the trick for me too - no way was it budging without lube!

Mmmmm lube.....

Many thanks for your advice guys - I slipped a small screwdriver down in side the grip and added some liquid soap via a needle I use to refill my printer ink cartridges. It worked just as advised - faster than a ferret up a trouser leg!
Now....back to trying to find out why my blower motor is not working. Hmmmmm.

Regards,
Paulcnb

'85 SD1 VDP

Oh dear, the blower motor! I have a similar problem with mine. Tried to replace the relay to see if that was the culprit, no joy there, I'm told that sometimes the contacts on the slider in the dash get dirty & stops the blower from working, & there is also a sprong like resistor & something else hidden away at the top of the heater unit, which sometimes fail coz they get covered in crud or get too hot, but apparently it's a dash out job to get to them....
There was an article in one of the club magazines describing how to fix it, but I'm lost as to which magazine it was in. Can anybody shed some light here?

Chris,

Only prior to issue 57 I'm afraid but try these from the club index.

Heater

controls-series 1 Tech. Ed T155 52
leaks around grommets Murrell T198 55
speed control resistor Scott T207 56
fan wiring fault search Tech.Ed T15 39
matrix overhaul Downing 6 21
overhaul Douglas 35 22
overhaul Douglas 41 28
overhaul Maxted 18 33
overhaul Bland 21 34
overhaul W'st'nh'lm 31 35
overhaul Hepworth 16 45
overhaul Hepworth T138 50
overhaul Tech.Ed T147 51

the first number is the page and the second number is the issue.

Ramon

Thanks Ramon, I'm sure that there was something in issue 56 describing how to replace the resistor....

Good news for me......my centre console is now refitted and the fan works on all speeds! After removing the console and spending two days fumbling under the dash trying to find the heater motor relay that the workshop manual says is in the drivers footwell near the brake pedal - which is bullshit (I still haven't located that particular relay) - I came across a connector with two heavy wires, brown and black. It was only partially connected and led to what appeared to be the blower motor which on my car is tucked up behind the passenger side glove compartment. I cleaned the connectors with a brush, cloth and WD40 and reconnected them. Presto! - the fan now operates at all speeds. My workshop manual notes that the relay positions as shown in the manual are not necessarily correct because of the various options that may have been included in various cars. I can't understand why the position of electrical components like relays would change from one car to another, regardless of the options chosen. It must be one of those quirky Rover things. Also, from what I can make out, my manual shows the heater and blower motor as one unit located in the centre of the dash. As previously mentioned, my blower motor is behind the passengers glove compartment. Go figure.

Besides now having a working fan motor, another good thing to come from my underdash fumblings is that I was able to spot and fix a slow water leak into the passenger footwell. The heater core was not leaking. It was coming from the heater hose in the engine bay that connects to the pipe of the heater core at the firewall. The water was seeping past the hose clip; through the grommet in the firewall and then along the pipe before dripping down onto the carpet. From the looks of things it had been doing so for some time, because some surface rust was evident under the carpet. It is now fixed and I am one pleased SD1 ownwer.

Thanks for your tips on removing the console and its fittings, it was a big help.

Regards,
Paulcnb