Month: March 2009

Finally, enough time, petrol, and good weather to go out and get some interesting objects from around Wales.

Hurray! A mighty aerial! Me and my brother and father put this up, primarily so I could recieve TV Signals on my PC again, but it’s usefulness now gives freeview to all the houses TVs.

Oh no, structural failure! After two weeks, high winds made short work of it.

The first attempt held for a record breaking two weeks. A similar attempt last year lasted a few more. A dent in the mast we bought seems to have weakened and then bent right over in high winds the other night. No worries, though, in less than 24 hours, a replacement mast with a larger diameter tube was sourced and again, it stood tall.

If you look to the left of the wall mount, you can see last years attempt’s remnants, when the wall mounting failed. This year, the wall mounting is sound, but the mast broke. Now I’ve bought a stronger mast, and bolted it myself, while my brother held it straight, both of us in very high winds.

My car has returned from the garage! Good, except the day I took it there, I had a complete tyre failure as there appears to be a nail in the tyre, with the help (well, he did all the work) of a trusty work compadre, the tyre was changed, that night I did a soapy water test on the tyre, and the nail is the source of the troubles.

The spare tyre has seemingly never seen any use, as it is still emblazened with the original bar code, and “RTFM” markings from GM. I’ve forgotten it’s there a few times and go over 50mph, but I usually remember and slow back down again.

I have also been helping my brother to install some flourescents in the attic. The attic has always been a no-go area as fumbling around with a torch can be dangerous while also trying to climb over the trusses.

It has a few replacement ECUs fitted, and a new ignition system.

Totally free for me, no charges incurred at all.

One problem is that the key I kept here in the house now doesn’t open the car remotely or start the engine. The immobiliser transponder chip must not be working with the new systems.

Remember that car that broke down on me last week?

Apparently it has a problem with the Engine management system, telling all four fuel injectors to turn off when the car is moving, preventing fuel and air from entering the cylinders and cutting off the engine. Apparently a problem with the ignition system is causing the computer to think the engine is off, so off the engine goes.

A new ignition system should do me fine. The cost is free as the car is still under warranty. Evans Halshaw (a Ford garage) just took the car to a Vauxhall garage, and they know the car, so diagnosed it quick sharp.

On the downside, insurance is renewed this month.

£91 a month for Fully comprehensive with Admiral, with a hire car and personal injury benefits added.