Many thanks for info regarding my insurance and the immobiliser. Finally got to drive the Town Ace today and what a pleasure it was - if a little cramped compaired to my smokey and noisy old Transit. However I have two problems that need investigating 1. When changing gear there is a noisy grinding type of vibration felt on the clutch pedal the faster I am going the noisier it feels/sounds The clutch has plenty of feel and the gearbox is very smooth I don't think it is a thrust washer/bearing is it likely to be the engine or gearbox bushes or something on the drivshaft?
and 2. I don't appear to have any rear lights there is a large toggle switch on the lower right dash that lights up and there is a light stalk on the steering column that turns on the main beam but there are no dipped lights in the middle position. All fuses are okay and all bulbs are correct. Reverse and brake lights are working okay.

Any ideas would be useful. Also do you have these Ace jams up north (that's near Manchester) ever?

- (#9233) Steve , 13 Mar 04 14:44

Been ploughing through the site - SO MUCH BLOODY INFO! IT'S MIND BOGGLING I now know about Woodvale but are there any other's?
- (#9233) steve, 13 Mar 04 15:14

Re the lights, first twist of the stalk should give you sidelights, second main and dip. Push away from the wheel for main, pull back for dip. Check the fuses if you've no sidelights- are the instruments lighting up? You should also hear a relay click.
The toggle switch is likely to have been added on for a rear foglight. If that's a recent addition, perhaps a wiring fault?

On the grinding thing, is it rev or road speed related?

- (#9233) david miller, 14 Mar 04 01:54

Yes,

Brean, Bridport and a possible one East Anglia way.
See postings lower down.

Grear change, has the Ace been standing, thinking of damp on the clutch plate? It's a Toyota so will try to works no matter what! Clutch change dead easy on these.

- (#9233) Clive (Bristol), 14 Mar 04 02:50

Fuses okay, but Lights only on second twist which is when relay click heard.Is there a wiring diagram anywhere?
Re clutch if it is bit damp will it dry out or will I have to replace. The noise is audible/felt on the clutch peddle and I reckon it is rev related as it is not any noisier at speed. Thanks for the help thus far.

- (#9233) Steve , 14 Mar 04 17:01

Sorted the lights it appears that the lights are wired with front centre fog's (if that is what they are?)as they appear pretty feeble on their own. Loose wireing the problem. There is a seperate added toggle switch for the rear attached fog. Just gotta sort this noise now.

- (#9233) Steve , 15 Mar 04 08:30

Clutch plate, pressure plate, release bearing or pilot bearing.
Have you bleed the clutch just to see?
I guess it all points to a replacement clutch in my opinion. I don't think it could be the flywheel else you would feel the engine jumping about. Any joints in the prop would be evident all the time.

Yes they are fog lights - see Ace Answers for some modifications to them.

- (#9233) Clive (Bristol), 15 Mar 04 09:52

I think I am going to live with the noisy clutch as it runs okay and if it goes I still have to rip it apart. Many thanks for your assistance what a great site this is.

- (#9233) steve, 17 Mar 04 17:02