New member - V8 R rebuild project

[X5x4x3]

Hi all,

Ex V6S owner, sold it around 4 years ago and ever since wanted to get back in a F-Type, some stars aligned and I needed a second car, came across a low mileage 2018 shape V8 R AWD that needed to be somewhat rebuilt as it was a CAT N write off, car was stolen and recovered, so now it’s mine to bring back to its former glory!

A fair bit of works needed:
-cosmetic scratches, dents, general wear on bodywork
-front bumper and bonnet had a minor accident, brackets broken as well as grille
-smashed window
-glass roof cracked
-interior trim brackets snapped
-consumables (disc, pad, tyres etc)

biggest problems now… :

-low life who stole the car ripped the armrest out, assuming he messed around with some of the modules
-the key seems to be fully bricked, car doesn’t turn on unless the key is held by the steering wheel, can’t lock or unlock the car with the key nor use any of its functions, basically none of the buttons do anything.
-Pedestrian detection fault (potentially something to do with sensor in the bumper?)
-Dynamic driving fault
-SOS fault (telematic?)
-traction control fault (came on only once)


Mechanicals seems to be fine, due to go to a garage soon for a check up. I’ve attached photos here, main parts I need help/advise with are the faults and what could have possibly happened to the modules underneath the armrest and the key situation (I’m guessing a module of some sort messed with when stolen). The trim behind the seat was taken off too so not sure if another module there too I need to be mindful of.

Any help/advice appreciated.

 

[Jaguandy]

If you're stuck, you could try asking L R Retrofits, see what they can offer in the way of fixes and reprogramming.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Welcome
You should post some pictures of the car and evidence you own it.
We could be helping the wrong person get it going..

 

[X5x4x3]

Welcome
You should post some pictures of the car and evidence you own it.
We could be helping the wrong person get it going..

More than happy to but similarly not going to post proof of ownership with my details on a public forum. Happy to send it to one of the admins to approve. For now there’s a photo of the car, post office receipt for new logbook and road tax and invoice I got from the place I purchased (redacted for obvious reasons).

 

[cj10jeeper]

You’ve posted more than enough here, so am sure members can help.

First thing I’d want to do is hook up to a code reader and see exactly what errors it’s throwing. That will be key to diagnosis. Carsoft is a good basic tool.
Second I’d look at all the modules to see if they have been touched. You may see marks in dust that show what’s been touched and tampered with.

As an aside I’d want to understand why the roof cracked. Was it hit or the shell flexed? Any panel gap changes?

 

[Crezzer]

I saw that on Ebay, looked a good buy, it didn't mention in the advert any of the interior being removed though.

 

[X5x4x3]

You’ve posted more than enough here, so am sure members can help.

First thing I’d want to do is hook up to a code reader and see exactly what errors it’s throwing. That will be key to diagnosis. Carsoft is a good basic tool.
Second I’d look at all the modules to see if they have been touched. You may see marks in dust that show what’s been touched and tampered with.

As an aside I’d want to understand why the roof cracked. Was it hit or the shell flexed? Any panel gap changes?

I connected OBD reader yesterday but surprisingly didn’t return any fault codes, I put it to the reader being ancient, on my list to order a new more high spec reader to see what it returns.

Difficult to say what modules been touched, it’s gone through police/insurance/place I bought it from. First and main guess was they ripped the armrest to get to the telematic module to disable it as that’s what talks and makes the car visible online to minimise chances of it being tracked. Another thing I just discovered is that the SIM card reader doesn’t hold the SIM card in, usually when you push the SIM card in there is a little click and then to release you push back in but this one sim just slots in and out (could be another item for the list of to dos). I’m hoping for someone here to know what else could’ve been of interest underneath the armrest/behind the seat that they may have messed about with - potentially whatever that has bricked both keys.

Glass roof crack seems to be from an impact, maybe large stone or something. Photo attached.

Panel gaps seem okay other than from bumper and bonnet where the impact was.

 

[X5x4x3]

I saw that on Ebay, looked a good buy, it didn't mention in the advert any of the interior being removed though.

Yeah there wasn’t any mention of that on the advert but in their defence when I started speaking to them they said armrest was ripped out. I wasn’t expecting some other interior trims being damaged but that’s on me for not asking more questions.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Good reader is a start point. I’d be amazed no codes showing. Even if the seller wiped it then soon would reappear once started and run a little.
Roof looks like an impact by stone, etc. ,or just malicious, so I’d not consider it crash related.
This is going to be a frustrating rebuild ..

 

[Kev]

The only thing of interest in the centre console would be the TCM (Telematics Control Module) and possibly an antenna but there are a few of these dotted around the car. The KVM is on the A pillar

 

[X5x4x3]

The only thing of interest in the centre console would be the TCM (Telematics Control Module) and possibly an antenna but there are a few of these dotted around the car. The KVM is on the A pillar

Thank you, very helpful. Assuming KVM is messed with hence keys are pretty much bricked and trim panel behind seats opened with side brackets broken. Would you happen to know where on the A pillar KVM is located? I googled but couldn’t find much. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kev]

View attachment ANTI-THEFT - PASSIVE (G1809242) DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION.pdf

What’s your background/skillset with these sort of projects?

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Chrikey what an undertaking. Good luck to you Sir!!!!

 

[X5x4x3]

ANTI-THEFT - PASSIVE (G1809242) DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION.pdf

What’s your background/skillset with these sort of projects?

Thanks, very helpful, will look through it this week.

Background on project like this is limited, I’ve done works previously to my previous F-Type and other cars I’ve had. I’m not expecting to do everything myself (electric/module related) as I know my limitations. But would like to know what needs to be done so I’m on top of it rather than just giving it to someone with no idea.

 

[X5x4x3]

Chrikey what an undertaking. Good luck to you Sir!!!!

Thanks, will need it! :roll:

 

[X5x4x3]

I thought to do an update on this, now pretty much exactly 6 months since the car being delivered to me.

It’s been a great learning curve and I’m glad I took the gamble, it’s been great fun. The whole car was done and ready probably around 12th week with me working on it a few hours each weekend leisurely and 3 visits to a “specialists” - one being to a windscreen replace chap who helped me putting the new glass roof on (post with a basic how-to-guide posted here), second being for a full service & MOT which it passed with flying colours as well as sorting out a tedious pedestrian protection error which ended up being something completely unrelated to what the error was, and lastly a full alignment.

I took the car to a quick road trip to Belgium for the Christmas market, 500 odd miles and it was an absolute blast despite terrible winter weather, car didn’t miss a beat and ended up giving me just under 30mpg which was a bonus.

Now it leaves me wanting to do another project, another F-Type?, albeit scary at the start, having now done this the “fear” of getting down and dirty has disappeared and it somewhat has brought joy knowing the car is now back to its former glory on the road be it in someone else’s ownership in the future or mine.

It’s still filthy since Belgium trip, once I get it cleaned up I’ll post some photos.


Best satisfaction/joy £ per mile. Great to be back in a F-Type again after 4 years.



PS most of the more “major” stuff I originally said needed to be done ended up mainly being a loose cable or two / bolt or two!!

 

[MikeM]

Great to hear a satisfactory ending to what could have been a bag of rats. Nice one