Hi all, I am looking at purchasing a new (old) car, and have my eye on a 1999 magna solara wagon (not sure of the model sorry, perhaps TH?). Couple of things I wanted to know.....

Firstly, the remote central locking does not work. You can use the key to open the doors (1 turn driver only, 2 turns all doors) and he has replaced the battery but it still does not work. Does anyone know how much I would be up for to get a replacement remote? Preferably 2, 1x for me and 1x for the wife. Or would I be better off replacing the locks with an aftermarket central locking kit that has 2x remotes in it? Perhaps this would be cheaper even with labour than the new remotes?

Secondly, I will be looking at upgrading the stock stereo, does anyone know what speakers are in the back of the wagon? In my current TE magna sedan it has 6x9"s, does this have 6x9"s or are they just 6"?

Thirdly, the wiper jets do not work because the rubber T joint for the hoses has perished, has anyone had to replace this before? Is it an easy/cheap job?

Other than that everything else with the car looks ok, it drives well but I did notice the idle was a little low, not too bad but a little jumpy. It does have high km's but Im getting it cheap and it is a nice step up from the TE I have currently till I can afford something a bit newer. I also know the owner and the service history.

TIA,
Glen

Firstly, the remote central locking does not work. You can use the key to open the doors (1 turn driver only, 2 turns all doors) and he has replaced the battery but it still does not work. Does anyone know how much I would be up for to get a replacement remote? Preferably 2, 1x for me and 1x for the wife. Or would I be better off replacing the locks with an aftermarket central locking kit that has 2x remotes in it? Perhaps this would be cheaper even with labour than the new remotes?

If you're able to open all doors with 2 turns, your central locking is working, most likely a busted remote (happened to both of mine) - Replacements are $65 on ebay. To reprogram turn the key from acc to on repeatedly until the hazards flash, then press a button on the new remote, they will flash again.

Edit: As below, try this procedure on your current remote first!

With the keys you should try re-programming them and see if that solves the problem.

the remote probably isnt tuned' to the car, put it in the ignition, and turn to on while pressing the green button and it will make beeps and then should work!

mine does it from time to time...

thanks again Snow for showing me that!!! LOL

Wow, thats such a good tip, I will try that as soon as I get the car, that will be so good if it just needs to be re-tuned! If I was to pick up a 2nd remote on ebay, do I look for a particular magna remote central locking or just a generic that is then tuned to it?

Remotes:
Another common problem with Remotes is that the weight of battery can break either the solder-joints or the two fine pins which attach battery holder piece to the circuit board. It is an easy fix to solder, and a few blobs of hot-melt glue between circuit board and battery-holder will prevent the damage from recurring.

There are old posts with pics about this repair and reinforcement of the battery connections in the red/green remote keys. Search should find them fairly easily.

Washers: Fixing the t-piece should be a piece of cake. Is it rubber or plastic that has failed? In any case spare part should not cost more than .... say..... two or three fingers LOL. If spares are silly price, should be easy to find in a self-serve wreckers. Check out posts in here about "mist" style windscreen washer jets from Mitsi 380 being retro-fitted into Magna (requires some fiddling to do, but results are pleasing). I got Mal (MadMagna) in Melb to do a set on my KJ, and can't wait to add these to my TJ (and possibly dad's as well). Onkytonk (Joe) also found an after-market universal fit Jet which does "mist" spray in an EBay shop - from Qld.

Can't help about rears in the wagons. I'm sure someone will answer that one. Hope you enjoy the wagon.

Wow, thats such a good tip, I will try that as soon as I get the car, that will be so good if it just needs to be re-tuned! If I was to pick up a 2nd remote on ebay, do I look for a particular magna remote central locking or just a generic that is then tuned to it?

as long as they look the same they should work

My remote was busted like that when I bought my car. Had an electronically minded friend solder it back up for me, recoded it and it works sweet.

Provided it is a TH (as outlined 99 model is a TH) it will be the new style remote (3 buttons, red green and gray).

You can buy those washer hoses T & Y Pieces from Repco/Autobarn for a few bucks.

With the washer hose, my TS wagon has a Y piece under the hood and I got one from auto places but it was a vacuum hose with 3mm bore, the wiper one has about 1mm bore and I had a big loss of pressure, OEM from mitsu it was $2.47.. get an OEM one. plus it'l clip back in where it is probably. (this is the one between the two nozzles under the bonnet)

Update:
So I bought the car and have been generally happy. I tried reprogramming the remote but that did not work. I also tried the fix found here - http://martybugs.net/magna/remote.cgi as I did notice cracks in the solder joint, and the battery holder in fact separated when I was looking at it applying gentle pressure. Still no good though. I have now given up and looking at buying a replacement remote on ebay!

I did not receive a second key with the car though, is there a way I can get a 2nd key? I believe the keys are coded and cant simply be cut. Has anyone had to do this and know where I can get it done in Sydney and how much approximately?

Finally, the car seems to idle a bit rough when it is in gear (reverse or drive) but not when it is in park. The needle does not seem to jump at all, it seems stable, the car is just a bit jumpy compared to the TE sedan I had. I know it is hard to diagnose but any idea what that could be? Does it perhaps just need an idle adjustment, or could it be a spark plug/lead or similar? I suspect this is not the case as it seems to drive smoothly.

Thanks to everyone for their help and knowledge!

Neither my Verada or my sister's Magna came with spares, was about $120 all up for a new key cut and programmed at Mitsu.