Jonathan Kay

What is it made of? Jonathan

Cold temperature operation starting could also be an issue with Li-phosphate as a starter battery That's probably only answerable by experience in use, and there should be enough by the end of this winter. (Here's a discussion of Teslas at low temperature.) How are you supposed to stop it charging once the battery is charged? Are you thinking of charging from the car while it's running, or from a mains charger, or both? There are dedicated conditioning chargers for lithium ion batteries, but I haven't seen anything specific for this type. Jonathan

When you mean slot do you mean cut through with a Stanley knife? I haven't had to do mine. I'd use a Dremel cutting disc but a hacksaw should be OK. Jonathan

Welcome. Where are you? 1. Is it normal for the speedo to basically go nuts above a certain speed. Its fine for lower down speeds but when you get to motorway speeds it basically flop abouts like a fish out of water. No, and it can be fixed. First you need to find out which sort you have: mechanical from the gearbox, electronic from the gearbox, or electronic from a wheel. 2. Gauges steaming up, condensation on the inside of the dials, is this normal (something you live with) or something that should not happen? Quite common. One solution is to cut a small slot in the side. It's recommended not to drill because of the risk of overpenetration. 4. Anyone put Evans waterless coolant in them before? If so what were the running temps? I suggest starting here. Other threads are available. Jonathan

Do you know what thermostat you have? Jonathan PS: Fan threshold temperature sounds a bit low, but otherwise nothing too worrying IMHO.

Also how often would you recommend changing the brake fluid? 2y. Service schedules. Jonathan

Won't hurt and could help. For most of us there's no easy way of testing HT kit... or HT function in situ. Jonathan

Before you change anything please could you have another look at the red warning light: Is it ON when the ignition is on and the engine isn't running? (As normal.) Is it fully bright when the engine is running?Thanks Jonathan

I don't know what was fitted when. But if recalibration only involved pressing buttons then it's one of the two electronic types. But if last week's work involved disconnecting the instrument or might have disturbed a wheel sensor then I'd check those areas first. Jonathan

Morning, Alan. Which type of speedometer? Wheel sensor electronic, rather than gearbox electronic or mechanical? From the archives I'd guess that for the first both poor earth (as in the Workshop Notice) and incorrect gap are more common. Quite easy.Jonathan

The problem with the instruments could be a bad earth, but it could be something else. I don't think that type of earth fault would cause the ignition warning light to stay on. Jonathan

I wonder if this is a alternator problem... Could be. But how would that explain the loss of the instruments... they should still run off the battery until it's pretty flat. Perhaps I'll call out the RAC and get their view... They should be able to diagnose it quite quickly: they have multimeters! :-) Perhaps this was the cause of the battery failing last month? Could be. It''s not a good idea to replace batteries until you know that the charging is working. Jonathan

The speedo is a standard Caterham one. I don't know what was fitted to Supersports in 1994: mechanical from the gearbox, electronic from a wheel sensor or electronic from the gearbox. Jonathan

i do have a wiring diagram but no multimeter. Recommended multimeter: Draper 60792. Odd that I haven't lost speedo? What sort of speedometer? It is a bit odd... unless it's mechanical! Where is the dashboard earth if that isn't a stupid question?!! There seems to be one which is on the right near to the two windscreen stanchion bolts that could do with a clean. That sounds likely. it does seem like an earthing problem to me or perhaps it's a new duff battery? I can't explain it with a single fault at the moment... can anyone else? But I'm always suspicious of recent work... Jonathan

Do you have a wiring diagram and a multimeter? This shouldn't be too hard if you have. We need to check if you're charging or not. Check the fuse for the instruments. Check all the wiring and connectors at the battery terminals: disconnect, inspect, clean, and reconnect. Ditto alternator. Ditto dashboard earth. Check that the alternator belt is present and tension about right, and that the alternator isn't loose on its bolts. Jonathan

Welcome. Did it go lumpy when the engine speed became unstable? Check the throttle position sensor wiring and connections. Does your cut-off switch isolate everything? Did you see any signs of problems with the electrics, such as erratic instruments? I'd also check that your pedal, cable and throttle are all operating smoothly before you move on to more complex possibilities. Jonathan

It's one type of "lithium ion battery", and, as you say, it's safer than some other types. Jonathan

I always enjoy your blogs, but you might like to think again about the wording of the second paragraph, which includes: "It's important to make clear that a LiFePo4 battery is NOT a lithium ion battery, and as such is not dangerous." As the Wikipedia article to which you link puts it: "The lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, also called LFP battery (with "LFP" standing for "lithium ferrophosphate"), is a type of rechargeable battery, specifically a lithium-ion battery, which uses LiFePO4 as a cathode material." Jonathan

Do you have an Assembly Guide? If not please send me a Private Mail with your email address. Have you found the Bolt List? Redline can probably both advise and supply what you want, but you have to 'phone.Jonathan

What's the recommend general approach to diagnosis with these: jump to possible specific problems from faults and some tests, or strip and rebuild regardless? Thanks Jonathan

No knowledge of this particular problem: have you tried the big UK BMW forum? In general I'd prefer most other options to Scotchloks. Jonathan PS: The subtleties of fitting towbars is one of the reasons I still haven't bought a 3 Series Touring.

Wouldn't you have to take into account the thermal expansion of the metal container as well? Jonathan

Quite a lot coming though now. Jonathan

Yes x2. Jonathan

Do you need to disconnect connectors that are already on the new bits? There's lots in the archives on how to do that. Do you have an Assembly Guide, or at least Section 15? If not please send me a Private Mail with your email address.Jonathan