VAXXi's Jimny (Little Tank)

they are spot welded on so can be removed no problem

Thanks for the information! hope repairs turn out well.

Well, now I'm waiting the plastic parts to arrive. Insurance should have just given me the money for a new set of HD rock sliders, probably would have been much cheaper than Japanese plastics :laugh:

Out of the blue today, the Jimny decided not to start - nothing at all.

Thought it was the immobiliser ... nope, the light wasn't flashing.
Thought it was the battery ... nope, plenty of juice.
Thought it was the fuel pump ... nope, can hear it buzzing.

After some careful listening, there was a slight "whirrrr" like a cat falling asleep. Went under the car (hooray for lifted Jimnys), managed to find the bloody starter solenoid (you have to go under the car until your teeth are right below the front diff) and knocked it a bit with a spanner. Started just fine after that.

Off to get a new solenoid now, identified code 31220-63J00 for it; supposedly it's the same as the Renault/Dacia Logan which should be much easier to find.

As mentioned here , the proper code for the solenoid is 31220-86032.

As a prevention measure, replaced the two belts today (alternator and accesories). About 15 pounds for both here, made by Gates in Belgium. The manual says they can be replaced at 6 years/90 thousand kilometers or 3 years/45 thousand kilometers in harsh driving. According to the manual, this job requires the radiator to be taken out - follow the instructions mentioned in the same manual and WASH IT, there was a 2-pound sandwich of mud between the two radiators

VAXXi wrote: As mentioned here , the proper code for the solenoid is 31220-86032.

... the instructions mentioned in the same manual and WASH IT, there was a 2-pound sandwich of mud between the two radiators

That should help keep thing cool Vaxxi .............................. :whistle:

~800 GBP and 2 days later, the "war wounds" are healed

Got some sticky furniture pads to replace the thing factory dampeners on the rear wooden plate - one more source of noise is gone !