Now I know this post may not sound the most interesting, especially to those who have a car as a means of transport rather than a treasured possession, however bear with me this may be of some use to all who have older cars and are on a limited budget.
I have a Bentley Arnage which has only done 53000 miles in its 23 years of life and is to all extent and purpose a virtually new car, except for the key remote which is showing signs of age. As you can see from the photograph it is not particularly sophisticated in that one button unlocks the car and the other locks it and sadly of late the lock button has become very tired and is most reluctant to do its job as it has lost the ability to click!
I therefore spent many an hour searching to try to buy a new one but as the car is of some age they are not available and all the locksmiths I contacted seem reluctant to repair them judging by the very poor response I had when contacting them, which left me no alternative but to attempt to repair it myself.
How hard can it be, I thought as I opened the case and surveyed what is basically a printed circuit board together with the two most important parts therein, namely two very tiny micro switches, one for open and one for close.
I am a great believer in the old wartime idea of “make do and mend” so set about finding a supplier of the correct switch with the assistance of both Amazon and Ebay, and purchased some from both suppliers in a “belt and braces” sort of way.
It was with a modicum of trepidation with soldering iron in hand I set about removing the worn out micro switch for had I damaged the printed circuit or any other part I would then find my self stuck with another well known saying, “up shit creek, without a paddle,” for then I would have no working remote at all.
However, cutting a long story short, it was a bloody fiddly job but I am pleased to report that I did manage to replace the switch without damage to the board and I now have a working remote with a rather satisfying little click when locking the doors .
I am very pleased to have had the wherewithal to complete this task both from the point of view of saving a few bob and mostly because had I failed I would not have a working remote, the only down side to this story is how sad it is in this day and age that we no longer mend anything.
Well done to those of you who noticed the micro switch in the photograph, I did say they were a tad fiddly to work with.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
If we in Britain didn’t have a fixation with finish school, go to university perhaps we would still have young people who like to get involved in fixing things or just how they work, encouraged to work with someone who does know and will show them
Well done Sir! Only the other day I was commenting on turning cuffs and collars on shirts. No doubt mankind (is one allowed to say that now?) will have to revert to make do and mend at some time in the future!
When Putin drops the bomb and we’re all fending for ourselves in the woods! Perhaps I shouldn’t joke about this as the sad fact is he’s mad enough to do it.
Such a thought would have been fanciful not so long ago, but not so now. Thank goodness we have no grandchildren to worry about!
Let’s hope the world sorts itself out, I can’t imagine any lunatic dictator actually wants to die in an all out nuclear war. It is supposed to be the intimate deterrent, we can only hope it stays that way.
So sorry, forgot to compliment you on your endeavours and the beautiful car, may it be a joy for many years yet.
Thank you.
Joe you were always adept with your mechanical ability, I recall a few sets we put together and stages we rigged!
Do you recall Alan Barson, a Yank from NY who worked with us on sound and lighting for a while. He was living in Mexico City where he had a very successful LED lighting business and a Mexican wife, they moved back to NY a while back and he now is a practicing New York commercial Attorney ( he graduated Law School decades ago!).
My friend of 50 odd years who emigrated here 50 years ago, is in the Classic car business, he gets a few Bentley Anarge for sale, they are highly sought after in CA. Just sold one here ( left hooker) with 20,000 on the clock for $58,000 I think. It was pristine.
Hope all is well with you.
Hi Peter, hope your keeping well too. The Arnage is sought after as they call it one of the last proper Bentleys as it has the old V8 6.75 litre engine from the Rolls-Royce days, plus the benefit of a massive great turbo charger, enough torque to pull you up the north face of the Eiger! You did ask ages ago if Jacqui had a successful career, yes she did, here is a link to her agents page. https://waringmckenna.com/clients/jacqueline-boatswain/ Best wishes, Joe.
Hey Joe, my friend sold an Anarge convertible, (I think a 1995) with 55,000 on the clock for $52,000 last month. RH drive in the UK.
It is much sought after over here in CA and FL, but repair costs are astronomic!
A brake job, including rotors, is over $15,000!!
All the Arnage’s blow their head gasket at some time, normally around 60000 to 80000 miles, mine had full Bentley service history when I bought it with 35000 on the clock. However mine went last year at well under 50.000 and I had it done at P&A Wood, I could have had it done cheaper but I wanted the best and the invoice to prove it, should I ever have to sell it in the future but it cost £10000 most of which was labour as I think it took 60 to 70 hours to do, parts though were a mere £900 as it’s not just a case of taking off the heads and bunging a couple of new gaskets on. Luckily I don’t have fancy carbon brakes so a set of new brake pads was just £700 which seems quite a lot compared to a normal car but they are very chunky as I suppose they have to be to stop a car weighing 2 1/2 tons! Having said all that, it is a most wonderful car to drive and I love her.