Improving a reliable workhorse
Last time I wrote, I mentioned that the 944 had been cutting out. Well, having chatted with Max at Porsche parts specialist FrazerPart, I sent him the ECU (Porsche refer to this as the DME) for testing. As it transpired, the tests revealed that the unit is functioning as it should do and that isn’t the reason for the engine cutting out. However, some of the joints on the circuit board were looking dry and there were a few other issues, so I took the decision to have the ECU completely overhauled. The 944 is rapidly approaching its 30th birthday and I felt that the overhaul would be a wise move, especially seeing how the original components would be replaced with considerably better and more reliable modern ones. Having had this done, I can now trace back through the electrical system and hopefully find the electrical fault that’s been plaguing the 944.
Unlike the 944, which has been letting me down, my son David’s Grand Cherokee is proving to be a reliable workhorse and it’s such a nice car to drive. Even more so since we replaced the front discs and pads and anti-roll bar bushes and drop links. Although it drives well, David did mention that the headlights were rather poor, especially on dipped beam. One of the reasons for this was due to the offside headlight glass being very discoloured. I did try to clean the glass, using various methods, but nothing really worked. So, we found a replacement light unit on eBay. The price, including delivery, was a very reasonable £29.95.
Removing the original glass and refitting the replacement was very straightforward. A long 7mm bolt secures the headlight unit. There are also three metal studs around the periphery of the headlight that press into in nylon clips that are located in the bodywork. Having removed the bolt, you
It never ceases to amaze me that many people will spend tens of thousands on a car, yet short-change it when podding out for new tyres
simply grasp the headlight and pull it free. However, the clips often stick to the studs when you remove the headlight. So if they do, carefully lever them off the studs and press them back into their locations before refitting the headlight. You’ll need to detach the wiring from the bulbs, too, of course.
Talking of bulbs, we’d planned to fit uprated ones. Unfortunately, despite being supplied bulbs that were listed for the Grand Cherokee, we discovered that ours feature straight connectors, whereas the ones we’d been supplied with had angled connectors. They wouldn’t fit. Fortunately, I found bulbs that would fit and were in better condition, so these were installed. When David’s next home we’ll whip the headlights off and fit the (correct) uprated bulbs I plan on buying. Mind you, the replacement headlight and the better bulbs I found have really improved the lighting.
As well as replacing the headlight and bulbs, the Jeep recently became the welcome recipient of four new tyres. When David bought the Grand Cherokee, the two front tyres were okay in terms of condition and tread depth, but the rear pair weren’t as good and were two different brands. Now, as I’ve said before, it never ceases to amaze me that many people will spend tens of thousands on a car, yet short- change it when it comes to podding out for new tyres. The differences between a quality tyre and a budget tyre are manyfold. A quality tyre will vastly reduce stopping distances, improve handling and road feel and there are often economy benefits too. I could go on!
Which is why the Grand Cherokee is now sporting a quartet of Falken’s excellent Wildpeak A/ T AT100 tyres, which were supplied and fitted by Bathwick Tyres in Newport. Great service and great tyres. In fact, the Jeep feels altogether more planted, the road noise is reduced and the economy has also improved. They look great too.