Lightning

Nice review, one I totally agree with!

Hi all, I thought some of you may be interested in an update. I got back from Brisbane last night and tried to start the car this morning. No go, at all. Dead, baby! So, rang Roadside Assist and they turned up about 30 mins later and jump started it for me with no problems. 10 volts was the battery reading. The guy told me to leave it running for 20 mins or so, in the carport and then drive into the city (20 mins thereabouts) and "she'll be right". Well, I was on the phone about 20 mins later (in the house) and the car stops. Bugga. So, I rang 'em back and 2 hours later (long story), they rocked up again. A different guy this time. In the meantime, I'd called the dealer and booked it in, with the plan to drive it down there and leave it until 'sorted'. No probs, even arranged a loan car. But, this guy wasn't satisfied with just starting it and checked the battery after he'd jumped it and, lo and behold, no charge from the alternator. Yup, you guess it, a loose cable where the battery lead connects to the alternator. So, after jacking it up and performing aerobics to get to it, tightened up, went for a 45 min drive and all is sweet. Thanks Roadside Assistance, credit where credit's due! Simon....

You learn something every day. I always wondered what NA stood for, but was too shy to ask Lightning....

Mine wouldn't start at all tonight :lol: Sorry, no constructive input from me at the moment. Got home, turned on the TV and a *%))$'ing great spark noise occurs and it turns off again. Wonder if I really should fly tomorrow???? Lightning....

Wondered how long it would take before this was moved B) Anyway: Credit where credit's due: The car's running again. The Roadside Assist guy turned up, told him the symptoms and he said "Flat Battery". Told him I was dubious, but he was sure. So, a quick drive to the car, he listened, was even more sure, got his litle portable box of tricks out, 3rd go (problem finding a good earth in the wet engine bay, I think), she cranked fine. About to go for a run up the freeway, mainly 'cos I feel like it So, store that one away for future reference. Lightning.... PS: 11.4 on the multimeter.

The Ford Assist people think it may be as simple as requiring a jumpstart, though I don't think so. Doesn't sound or look like a flat battery. Good to hear the weather's fine. Staying in Brissy for Thursday and Friday, then the weekend and then heading to the Gold Coast for a 3 day conference. Life's tough. I'll bring my short sleeved shirts. Lightning....

Hi all, Not good news tonight. The major problem is that my new car (less than a week old) is parked down at the local shops (400m away) and I am unable to start it. Drove home fine, in the pouring rain, stopped off at the supermarket and started okay after that, forgot something so stopped at the local deli and got back in it less than a minute later and it just won't crank. There's a weird clicking noise every second from the fuse area and it just won't play. Walked home, tried the 2nd set of keys in case it was the key, but no go. The red hand (immobiliser symbol) goes out if you leave it on accessories, but comes back on when you move the key to start, but so does the orange engine symbol which, according to the manual indicates a throttle system error. The weird thing is, if you crank up the fan blower, the ABS light then comes on. Not happy Jan. Ford Assist were good, there's a mechanic coming over shortly (I had some things to do beforehand that I couldn't put off) and they will tow it home for overnight and then pickup in the morning to take to the dealer. Spoke to the dealer, he reckons it's the keys have gone out of synch with the codes or something, don't really know if that sounds right. Also, the Premuim Sounds turns itself off and on every so often, no ryhme or reason, AM / FM / CD, makes no difference. Apparently it's a known fault so that will be fixed as well. So, all in all, it's a crap night. The only saving grace is that I fly out for Brisbane tomorrow for a week, giving plenty of time for it to be fixed. Lightning..... Grrrrr.....

Dave, Thanks for that. It was certainly a myth as far as I'm concerned. On Friday morning, we had quite a lot of rain here in Perth and I felt up while I was driving and felt a bit of water and thought "Oh sh*t, it's leaking!!". Not much water, just dampness. However, after I read your post, while I was fitting the globes for the footwells, I saw the clear drain tubes going down the RH pillar with what looked like water droplets in it, so I'm okay now Cheers, Lightning.....

#5: This photo shows your BA FALCON XR SEDAN nearing the final stage of production. Here your BA FALCON XR SEDAN has the headlight alignment before having it's wheel alignment. It then goes through a number of tests of all major vehicle features and a comprehensive evaluation to ensure the vehicle is ready to be shipped to TITAN FORD. This process usually takes a couple of days until final approval of your vehicle. Ford Australia hopes you have enjoyed the series of images taken of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN as it passed through the Ford plant. I have, thanks to all at Ford Australia Lightning....

#4: This photo shows your BA FALCON XR SEDAN at the end of the Ford production line. Here your BA FALCON XR SEDAN goes through a number of tests and quality inspections, this process usually takes a couple of days. Following final quality inspection vehicles are marshalled and shipped from the plant. FPV and select XR vehicles are shipped to Ford Performance Vehicles where further work is performed.

#3: The Overhead Clam team and TITAN FORD is proud to present you with a picture of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN having its engine fitted. This picture shows Ford's state of the art 'clam shell' supporting your vehicle while your 4.0L DOHC VCT I6 TURBO is lifted into the engine bay. Your BA FALCON XR SEDAN also has it's fuel tank, axles and all other components fitted to complete the vehicle.

#2: In the Main Framing area the sides and body shell of your vehicle are carefully put together by the experts at the Ford plant. Included in this process are the arrays of robots shown in this picture that are responsible for welding your BA FALCON XR SEDAN sides to the underbody. Continuing through the Body Shop your vehicle starts to take shape as the roof, bonnet and doors are carefully assembled to complete the body of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN. We hope you enjoy the photograph of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN.

and here are the ultrasounds: The Trim team and TITAN FORD is proud to present you with a picture of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN passing along the Trim line. At the Trim stage, the interior of your BA FALCON XR SEDAN is crafted together. This picture shows your vehicle just after the instrument cluster was installed. The wiring looms, radio, windscreen and doors are also added at this stage. The Ford assemblers check the entire interior and your vehicle then passes onto the overhead clam where the engine, fuel tank, axles and underbody components are fitted.

Welcome, I know the feeling and know you'll enjoy it as much as I am! Lightning....

It's only a mid-life crisis if you only intend to stay arounf until you're 90 or so Anyway, most people I know are amazed when I tell 'em I'm 41 (usually so amazed that I've stopped telling people), so they just think I'm 30, not married (and no kids) and too much money. Does that make me a S.I.N.K? Anyway, 1 falsie out of 3 ain't bad!

I was told the end of April, as an agreed estimate, then the 5th of May. Ended up being the 15th, but I didn't hassle the dealer, just got the info off a FF member :D It's hard to accept "Be patient", but as another ex-AUII VCT XR6, you'll be so happy when you finally get to drive it that you'll forget all about the wait. Lightning....

Yes. Seriously though, as you may have seen from previous posts, I wasn't totally happy with the standard wheel. I ordered the Sports after seeing photo's on hee and FF and reading some positive reviews. If you're happy with the momo one, stick with it, if you want to keep up with your sister car, then.... :lol: The standard wheel just seems a bit too chunky for me, don't forget (before others have a go at me) that I came from the Momo wheel on the AUII XR which, I still maintain, is better. However, I do like the way they've rearranged stuff. Without even thinking about it, I turned on the headlights. I like the new location of the cruise on/off and the speed alert. So, it's still just the box-like centre that gets me. Lightning....

And another 2 small things I like: The 'grip' under the boot lid and the glare / sun barrier imprinted on the windscreen between the visors. Fitted my footwell illumination just now, hehe. Oh, I also realised I'd missed something from my signature. KenBoyle, do you have the Sports wheel too? B) Lightning....

Just a suggestion, post another photo with a mathcbox in the shot, then you will all see how small these things are Not knocking them (I got a set of XR ones from the dealer), but they aren't what I thought they were. Maybe I'm just thicko, but I thought they would be the length of the door sill for some weird reason. Lightning.... (Anything KenBoyle gets, I will need to get too)

Excellent advice, thanks very much. I've just fitted my first ever modification (other than mobile phone kits) and it wasn't bad for $2.50! Totally agree with your recommendation to remove the whole globe assembley, there was NO WAY my fingers were going to fit through that hole. They don't believe in being generous with the wiring, either, do they? Thanks guys, this is why I love the Internet. Now we just have to do the power window lights. Lightning....

If you'd seen an XR dash at night, you'd understand B) Though, it's more Violet Crumble purple than blue! Lightning....

Two other observations from today: The new wiper washers are great. You get 2 horizontal 'streams' of water, not 2 pinpricks, like it. Secondly, I've made the observation to a couple of people that the car feels smaller than the AUII XR6. Hard to explain, it's not smaller like inside, just that it doesn't feel you have 2 seats and a boot behind you when you're driving it. The AUII sometimes felt a bit like a tank, this one is different. It's just.... better :D Simon....

Silverhawk, I drove the auto first and, quite surprisingly, liked it. I didn't think I would after driving a manual for 2 years. Then, the day after, I drove a manual. Only took me a gear shift sequence to say to the sales guy "a manual it is". As for the Tickford Owners meet, I really should. I meant to when I had the AUII, but I never got around to it. What date in June? Still at Melville Motors? Give me the details and we'll park next to each other Simon....

Re the switches and lights, trust me, I've seen the thread. Just gotta find someone in Perth that I trust to do it for me. As for the protectors, will check them out. Thanks, Simon....

The Dribble Bib" is unlisted in the catalogue, but they can get it in if you ask. I should also have ordered the anti-wrinkle cream for the smile lines I'm getting! Sunroof is good, happy about that. Did you get mats too? Do yours fit properly? The rears don't quite for me.... Simon....