Re: Ur-Q Parts & Questions

["Mike Hopton" <mike@genesis-microchip.on.ca>]

         Clarke,
     I have a 1983 ur-q (brown velour upholstery) with a bluish parcel shelf, I 
     believe it was originally brown but faded over time - it does look strange 
     and I thought for some time that it had been changed when the stereo was 
     installed but now I'm fairly certain it is original. 
     
     Can't help on the hand brake cable, phone around and make sure you get the 
     right one (in the US try Carlsen). The 1983 model year was when they went 
     from two cables to one, so check!
     
     On the computer frequency valve output I can be more help. On my '83 when I 
     bought the car a previous owner who had  exactly the same problem you 
     described "fixed" the problem by connecting the frequency valve directly to 
     a 12V (switched by the ignition) supply. Hey 100% duty cycle, I discovered 
     this "modification" when the frequency control valve went super nova. 
     
     As an interim solution I connected a couple of high power resistors to drop 
     the voltage down to 6 volts. On closer inspection of the ECU, I discovered 
     the original cause of the problem. A PCB trace from the large transistor 
     that drives the frequency valve was burned out. This is not surprising 
     since the frequency valve draws 2amps and the PCB traces are not 
     particularly wide, given time and a bit of electromigration and hey you've 
     got a fuse. (RDH insert comments on quality German electronics here!)
     
     Anyway the moral is remove the ECU and examine the PCB carefully. It could 
     also be the connector to the ECU from the wiring loom.
     
     Regards, Mike