Got it :)

[arbee]

Well, picked up chuffed as chuffed - pictures will have to wait tho, (was very rushed to get to work) what a tease eh?

A couple of things I have 'discovered'...
When I looked at it I asked if he'd ever had problems with any of the warning lights - He, very honestly(?), said that he'd seen the ABS/Tracs light a couple of times but never had it checked out. It never even flicked during the lenghty test drive so I didnt worry. Didn't stop it coming on on the way home tho - oh well! I restarted the ignition and it never came on again, I dont think that will be the last I'll see of it!

Secondly, I think the master brake cylinder (or servo?) is knackered, sitting in traffic using the brake frequently, the system could not keep up and the pedel went very hard with no power - like you get when you try to use the brake without the engine running. Its ok on a run but at slow speeds where you are on/off its not much short of dangerous! I think that is priority number 1! could this be linked to the ABS/tracs light, I'm, thinking probably not?

Still, the noise and grunt it makes is worth its faults, I got a good price on the car IMO so as long as its salvagable without hideous expense (i'm touching wood....) i'll be a happy bunny. Pics this eveniing when i'm home again - will be dark tho!
EDIT:
Some quick phone camera pics in the dark, not the best quality...
Front end...


Rear end (oo er)...


classic volvo lines...


some areas needing attention, give me a clue on the metal bits lol
a bit leaky...


a fair bit more leaky...


This looks way worse than it is, no cracks to the bumper, just paint

[Murphy]

Great news......i am looking forward to the pictures

[Mrsmopp]

Wobbly will sort your ABS issue out

x

[dan_burdock]

Congratulations, on, in my opinion purchasing the least borring estate ever made.
Just keep an eye on the speedo as its easy to cruse at 95mph with 2000 revs showing. I got pulled the first day of getting my T5R. 95 on M1 luckly for me the traffic cop was forgiving and let me off. I seriously thought I was doing more like 80mph.
They are built for cruising at high speeds, also good at showing up most modern so called sportcars on country roads. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of yours as I have out of mine.
Dan

[Martinr]

ABS fault is one for Wobbly! Come on down!

Not sure that the pedal problem is related though. Braking system will function without the ABS ECU being fitted. Sounds like a vacuum leak from the servo, do the brakes feel like you are using them with the engine off?

Had similar thing on a car in the past and it turned out to be a split diaphragm in the servo unit

[arbee]

ABS fault is one for Wobbly! Come on down!

Not sure that the pedal problem is related though. Braking system will function without the ABS ECU being fitted. Sounds like a vacuum leak from the servo, do the brakes feel like you are using them with the engine off?

Had similar thing on a car in the past and it turned out to be a split diaphragm in the servo unit

Martin that is exactly what it feels like, and yes thats exactly what i thought it may be! will I get patent parts for the servo/master cylinder or is it main dealer only? What kind of money am i looking at for either?

I reckon it should be DIY-able, tho think I'm gonna have to get me a Haynes book asap!

I think I need to get the brakes mecahnically sorted then get on to Mr Wobbly What kind of money would an ECU fix set me back? Ooh the T5 expense!