[Howlin']

Paid for it!
After 7 years without the 147 I've finally scratched an itch and bought a Giulietta.

Picking it up Saturday morning.

 

[Howlin']

Dropped the alloys in for a Refurb.

The loaner rims look uhmmm..... retro?

Then gave it a quick clean and spruce up.
The discs didn't like the polar clean by the looks of things, they were spotless before I washed it.

 

[Howlin']

Today I fitted my dashcam.
Just the front for the moment, the rear will have to wait a little longer.

I used piggyback fuse taps from the dashboard fusebox so that I didn't have to splice into the stock loom. I took power from the central locking (F38) for permanent 12v and to the parking sensors (F49) for switched 12v. The Dashcam circuit is fused at 3A.

The camera goes into parking mode when the ignition is off and record mode when the ignition is on. If the battery voltage drops below 11.8v the camera is disabled to preserve the battery.

 

[Howlin']

So it turns out it's not a simple job. Due to the position of where it connects it's a pain to do and my soldering skills aren't great (if soldering is even the right way to go!).

Anyone got any suggestions? Below is a picture of the part and where it connects.

Yeah, I doubt you'll be soldering that.
Edit: Although looking at it again, it does look doable if you properly tin the broken tab and have a powerful enough iron.

I think I'd be inclined to try to glue it back into position and then coat the broken circuit with electro conductive paint. (Maplins etc.... sell it). You can buy electro conductive epoxies too.

 

[Howlin']

Picked up my newly refurbished alloys.

Before:

And After:

 

[Howlin']

How much did they charge you?

400 euro for chemical strip to bare metal, repaired, blasted, powder prime, colour and powder clearcoat.

 

[Howlin']

Are those Giulietta wheels?

They are indeed.

The catalogue lists them as 5YN, 17" 5 hole, standard fitment on a 2018 sport.

 

[Howlin']

Fitted new mirror caps from BGcustom, Alloy fuel filler cap, and the inevitable LED logo puddle lights.
I was surprised to find that the rear doors don't actually have courtesy lights fitted, so the kids will just have to take their chances in the dark!

 

[Howlin']

Any links to the fuel filler cap and mirror caps please

Sure.
Most items that show as out of stock they'll make on demand.

ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA | BG Custom Store

bgcustom.store

Filler cap is the genuine alfa item.

 

[Howlin']

The last of my planned "Honeymoon period" changes.

Fitted scrolling LED side repeaters for the indicators.
Much more visible than the stock units and a 2 minute job to fit. 🥳

 

[Howlin']

Are you happy with the quality,

Of the mirror caps?

Totally satisfied with the examples I received.
They're a direct replacement part for the original covers and a perfect fit .
Cosmetically the finish is flawless. (and I'm a fussy bastid!)

The design I chose is very subtle though, I suspect only petrol heads would look closely enough to pick up on it, which suits me just fine.

 

[Howlin']

The rear door wiring was deleted at some point as a cost reduction.

So I discovered.
There's an indent for the puddle light to be fitted but no wiring behind it.
I should have checked before ordering four units instead of two.

I suppose I could run some wires back if I get really bored at some point.

 

[Howlin']

What do they do make the indicator work like an Audi one, ?

The whole unit is a long strip of LEDs vs just 3 LEDs in the stock unit.

Yes, it strobes like an Audi but it's also a much bigger and brighter area that lights up.

 

[Howlin']

Replaced the cabin pollen filter with a new charcoal filter.

Fixed the sticky tailgate button.

 

[Howlin']

How did you Fix the sticky tailgate button?

I mildly filed out the five holes in the part that mounts to the tailgate and used fine sandpaper to smooth the edges of the part with the logo so that the assembly would slide smoothly.
After that (and a good clean and lube) the button would move and return smoothly but wasn't activating the microswitch. So I made a shim from 0.5mm plasticard and superglued it between the button and microswitch.

It works perfectly now.

 

[Howlin']

I used a less intrusive method on the tailgate button; open the tailgate with the button stuck in and soak it in WD40. Leave it a while and then keep pushing it to free off any collected muck.

I tried that first, but without any success.
Even dismantling, cleaning and reassembly wasn't enough.
It wouldn't move smoothly until I'd rubbed down the inside edge of the logo with wet&dry and lightly filed the holes the button slides in.

 

[Howlin']

In preparation for the long weekend...

• A proper deep clean with Meguiars Wash Plus+ (good stuff this)
• Decontaminated with AutoBrite Purple Rain and Autoglym Tar Remover
• and then a thorough ClayBar all over

All ready for a proper compound and polish with the DA machine over the weekend.
The plan is to Wax (Meguiars) the paintwork but use Ceramic sealers (Nanolex) on the glass and plastics.

There's a few stone chips that will need attention but that can wait for warmer weather.

 

[Howlin']

@Stoneriver & @Howlin'
Did your lights fit with existing plug or did you have to rewire?

Plug and play.

A perfect fit with the stock wiring and connectors.

 

[Howlin']

Tidied up some irritating corrosion on the discs.

Cleaned up easily enough.

 

[Howlin']

Have you just sanded them back? I was looking at painting mine to get rid of the rust, either way you've done a good job

Thanks.
Sanded, treated with Kurust, primed and two light coats of satin black.