Some contributions to add for other Esprit owners.

[rjjuge]

Well, I'm relatively new to PH and have gotten a lot of help from some other members. I am by no means new to Esprits or to automobiles in general, as this is my 28th vehicle. I figure I'll share some info that may be able to help out some others..

First two, part cross-references and impressions..

Rear hatch lift supports, Advance Auto Parts #4408, $17.98 ea

Windshield Wiper Motor ($500 from LCUSA!!), AutoZone 43-1057 fits PERFECTLY w/. MINOR modification, email me if you need info.
$79.99

JAE's Earls Stainless clutch line.
$80ish, car wouldn't go into reverse easily, now shifts like a charm. I had to do a bit of filing to fit the new nipple through the bulkhead, but a relatively easy job, car shifts better than new.. Highly impressed

Aftermarket Boost Gauge
I'm modifying the car quite a bit, and I want a reliable boost gauge. I ordered a 2 1/16" Autometer gauge, black face and bezel w/. white letters, 30inhg-20psi, matches great and fits right in the factory VDO gauge spot. Highly recommended. (you have to run a vacuum line to the engine bay, but relatively easy)
$50 shipped from Jeg's.
---

Problems I encountered...

Horns not working?? Broken horn buttons inside the steering wheel (common for SIR GM-wheel cars).. Solution, install micro momentary switches in GM's fragile mounts. Horns work great, retain factory look, all for about $3.00 from Radioshack. If you need more info, ask.
$3.00

Aftermarket alarm install?
Easy to interface with factory system (mainly wanted the door lock/unlcok feature.
I have interfaced Remote start, lock, unlock, etc. to work with an Autopage RS-855LCD alarm (pager, turbo timer, etc...) for about $180 (including parts) from ebay. Email me if you have any questions.
$180 including remote start.

Aftermarket stereo/speakers./subwoofer
Easy to fit DIN radios in the stock location (the factory unit is, in essence, and aftermarket radio). The rears are 6.5"s and the fronts are 4"s. I replaced my system with a top of the line Pioneer MP3 unit (860) and Pioneer surrounds for about $400, the sound quality is now amazing.
I am working on a subwoofer box for a 10" sub where the pocket between the seats goes that will be finished within the week. Email if you want instructions.
$600 for entire system

Antenna gone?
On 95 Esprits, the antenna was placed on the roof, and they are unavailable to replace from what I've been told. Advance sells a "cellular style antenna kit". The mast fits with the adapters (mount had to be trimmed approx. 1" to look OEM)
less than $10


I'll add some more as I go. It's time to go to sleep tonight, but I've got lots to add tomorrow if you guys feel like reading...

[jk1]

Rob,

Since you have the horns working, I'm assuming you don't need the switches, correct?

Also, the antenna/mount is still available as I purchased one about a month ago but they are very pricey. The original mount has some kind of circuit board in it which I assume is an amplifier of sorts.

Good work on the car. Where's the pics?

Jim

[rjjuge]

Hey Jim,

thanks for the horn switches. If you've still got them, I'd like them to see what I can do to fix and strengthen them. Call it curiosity, I will pay you for them no problem I'll hve PLENTY of pix up, as well as an FAQ and step by step for most of these procedures, esp. the alarm install (what color wires to hook up, how to do it, etc)

I can imagine that most of you would like a pager, remote start, keyless, and good alarm for $180 US...

[chia9876]

I have some questions about the Alarm? What alarm did you have in there from the Factory? Cobra?? Also did you interface with the existing alarm or trashed it and put in a real alarm. Did you remove the immobilizer (if you have one). I have a V8 and am looking on dumping the "crappy ass" Cobra alarm and installing something that does more then just drains the battery ( Lock on start, Interior light delay, LCD remote, security!!). I'm just looking for any information or tips before I start ripping the car apart. If you like, you can send me the pictures and I'll sort them out!!

ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º- Christian Waldron -º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø

99 Lotus Esprit "New Lotus Yellow" #178 (aka Ferrar - a - ghini)

Lotus, It's not my hobby. It's my obsession!!!

http://members.cox.net/chia9876/

[andrewp1989]

In Canada we no not have Advance Auto Parts, so the provided part # is not a great help for locating the rear hatch struts.

Could you please ask Advance Auto Parts what application they are for (I'm guessing a domestic mini-van?). This way I can cross reference the aftermarket part to what Canadian stores have to offer.

Thanks.

AP

[rjjuge]

I'll try to get the applications for the part number as soon as I can.

For the alarm
The factory alarm should be disabled with the key switch. By hooking a relay to provide a negative trigger to the proper wire (I'll get the colors, orange with something else for lock and unlock), the alarm fools the car into thinking the key has been turned, thus unlocking the door and disabling the alarm (if it's deadbolted). If you don't deadbolt it, you never have to worry about the factory arming. (though you could pull the fuse under the binacle from what I understand.

On my S4, you can actually access ALL the wires you need to get to (doors, window roll down, remote start, horn honk, parking light flash, etc, etc) without taking anything apart.. (Personally, take off the driver's bolster so that you can access everything easily and tuck the alarm away nice and secure.

[Dr.Hess]

Thanks for the part numbers, Rob. I'm adding them to my database. Do try to get the cross, though, as that is how the computers are set up when you go to get one. It may be difficult to get what vehicle from the part number in some systems, so if you have to, ask for the paper catalog of whatever covers that part, then look through it for that part number. Usually works for me.

Dr.Hess
Keeper of the List of Parts Substitutions
http://home.flash.net/~hess/crystal_princess.htm

[thayden]

I have just purchased an inexpensive module to add to any power lock system that locks/unlocks doors with the ignition. What are the wire colors that come from/to the cobra alarm that I would hook into that lock /unlock doors and come from the ignition? This would help me a lot and if it works I can post where to get the $37 module for others interested in an inexpensive way to lock/unlock doors automatically.

Thanks,Tim Hayden
'02 Red/mag

[rjjuge]

when thinking of that, keep in mind that this $180 alarm does lock/unlock with ignition, has a turbo timer, remote start, pager, remote keyless, hatch release feature, and three time-set relay triggers (roll up windows, turn on headlights, honk horn, etc...

Search for "autopage 855" on ebay. I'll have the wire colors, as well as a writeup for you tomorrow. You will need two 30a 4 or 5 terminal relays (labeled 30, 85, 86, 87 [and 87a if a 5 prong])..

[chia9876]

The problem with the Cobra 6422 alarm in the V8 is that it's integrated into the car and is located in two places. It relies on a remote and a security key (when the remote is not available). I'm ready to pull it all out and have been studying the alarm/ignition schematics for two weeks now and I believe that I can pull it all out BUT I would like to keep the immobilizer module but I need to know if that gets power or some analog signal from the main alarm controller to enable the starter/ignition coils?



ø¤ºø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º- Christian Waldron -º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø

99 Lotus Esprit "New Lotus Yellow" #178 (aka Ferrar - a - ghini)

Lotus, It's not my hobby. It's my obsession!!!

http://members.cox.net/chia9876/

[rjjuge]

okay...

for alarm installs...

::accurate on 95 S4 LHD..::, RHD should be the same..

#. item,
a. wire location,
b. wire color,
c. spec. instructions

1. Parking light flash
a. on parking light switch (remove binnacle)
b. red w/. green
c. connect alarm +12v light flash trigger.

2. Door lock/unlock feature
a. wiring harness underneath driver's bolster
b. orange/blue and orange/red
c. don't remember which is lock or unlock, but it's a "ground activated" switch. Get yourself a 30a 4/5 terminal relay. Connect 30 to chassis ground, 87 to either orange/blue or orange/red wire (you have to use two relays, one for each wire). Connect 85 to +12v constant, and connect alarm door lock or unlock trigger to 86. Voila.

3. constant +12v
a. ignition switch
b. Red w/. brown

4. Ignition switched power
a. ignition switch
b. white

5. Starter output (for remote start)
a. ignition switch
b. white w/. red

6. Positive door trigger
a. same harness as lock/unlock
b. purple w/. green
c. with negative trigger (i hooked them both up for it to work) below, tells alarm when door is opened.

7. Negative door trigger
a. same
b. green

[sanj]

rjjuge said:

okay... for alarm installs...

Does the Autopage come with install instructions and diagrams?

>> Edited by sanj on Thursday 6th January 14:50

[rjjuge]

yup. I'm in the process of doing a complete write-up of everything you have to do. colors of autopage wires to esprit wires, what relays you have to buy (two), and even linking to the ebay auctions... I'm just staying so busy, now replacing my rear wheel bearing...

[rjjuge]

if anyone needs a copy of the S4, SRS, or V8 service manual, email me.