IanF

Yeah - I saw that a while ago, by my screen is a different model - just composite input, no VGA or touchscreen - and the PCB is a different layout. Rather that try to find the analogous connection points with the associated high risk of me knackering the screen, I figured I'd stay within my skill level and do a slightly less elegant but hopefully successful alternative. To complicate matter further the screen appears to need 2 presses of the button to start up when power is first applied, and thereafter only one to put into standby and wake up. Ian

Cheers Geoffers - magnificent help! Nothing too interesting.... while I'm waiting for my mota to clear ESVA, I'm playing with some stuff to go into it. I've got a Lilliput screen that I'll probably connect to a DVD player and maybe sat nav if the quality through the composite input is good enough. I'm trying to make it come on automatically with the power instead of having to press the button on the front (I've got plenty of time to play with ) - the timing circuit is to close a relay that shorts the contacts of the press switch. I'll let you know how I get on. Ian

My last car was an Evo 4, and I'm in the process of changing to an Altezza. The Evo is an absolutely magnificent car, and I would wholeheartedly encourage anybody to have one at least once. Pros It's just about the fastest thing about - you have to spend silly money to get anything faster It's glued to the road round corners Plenty of scope for tuning - name the hp you want, and you can have it. Lots of independent specalists for tuning (stay away from Mitsi dealers). Cons Built quality is fine - but nothing special. They all rattle a bit Service every 4.5K miles or 6 months, whichesver comes first. At least £250 a time, but usually more. You'll need a new set of tyres every year It's bone shakingly hard suspension It's a major target for every car thief or carjacker around. You'll need every security system going, and most insurance co.s will insist on it being garaged. Group 20 insurance - average costs seem to be about £1k per year. It's starting to become a Chav car (the major reason I changed) My misses hated every last bit of it (this could be considered a pro) I had a 4, but I've also driven a 7, and there is not a great deal between any of the models - it's a definate evolution over time rather than giant leaps. The later models are definately better, but not by a massive amount. If you go for a 6 over a 7, you won't loose much. The source for all Evo knowledge is the MLR MLR For me, it was a great car to own for a couple of years, but not to stay with for the long term. Hope this helps. PM me if you want any more info. Ian

Thanks for the replys guys - I particlularly like the simple idea with a cap and resistor. Would it go something like this, giving a rough 1sec time? Where does the diode go? Cheers Ian

Reading 30 when it's doing 20 sounds like it's not been converted from kph to mph. I got one for my last car from these people: Pro Tech It came with instuctions on how to fit, and cost about £80 With the airbags, a Lexus dealer should be able to read the ECU error codes and tell you what's wrong. Is this a 6 speed manual your putting through SVA? Ian

Clifford alarms have a proximity sensor that makes a loud 'squalk' if somebody get too close - I had it on my last car, and it's pretty good at making people in the local area glance over when it goes off. There is an add-on that makes it speak when it detects somebody in the zone, but I have a feeling that it just makes kids jump about next to your car to make it go off. Ian

Ahhh, the golden electronic summer of '89..... We must have all been making 555 oscillators at the same time! Cheers guys - I'll get the soldering iron out and see what I can cobble together. Ian

I was thinking the same - but it's been a verryyyy long time since my GCSEs.

I'm trying to use an IC555 timer circuit to send a 1 second 12V pulse when the ignition is first turned on. If I use a 555 timer chip, and leave the trigger pin permenantly connected to ground, will this start a cycle every time power is connected, or does the 555 need to see a falling edge before triggering? Cheers in advance Ian

If it's a genuine Qualitat, somebody has got an absolute bargain then. Ian

I bloody well hope not - AltezzaScott has mine waiting for the fecking model report at the moment Ian

It got to just under 9K last time, but he wanted closer to 13 so pulled the auction before it finished.

I'd be interested too - let me know how what you find out... Cheers Ian

I'd be up for that Ian

Thanks Steve - so with a converter, the Sat Nav essentially becomes a screen, which I can connect to an after market Sat Nav or TV tuner. £1K sounds more reasonable, and something that could be worth doing. Do you have any links for a suitable converter - I've tried a google search, but it comes up with NTSC to PAL versions, which I guess is the wrong way. Cheers Ian

So, in summary, to make the factory Sat Nav on an import work in the UK would cost around £4100. I'll stick to a map! Cheers guys Ian

Cheers Scott. Is it possible to swap the import Sat Nav for the equivalent from a UK car? I'm guessing if possible this is ludicrously expensive - any idea how much Ian

Is this the factory fitted sat nav system in an Altezza? What are the options to make use of this screen on a car imported to the UK? Can the sat nav be upgraded for the UK? If not, can a replacement system make use of the screen? And if neither of the above, can it be used for TV pictures? Cheers Ian