section 5 ASTON MARTIN DB7 1997 Owner's Manual

Body and Trim
Body Repair ^^
Steel Body Parts - Repair^ Remove and
Replace
Removal

1.
Expose the resistance spot
weld.
For those spot
welds that are not obviously visible use a rotary
wire brush fitted to an air drill or a hand held wire

brush.

9.
Prepare the new panel joint edges for welding by
cleaning to bright metal, both interior and exterior
edges.
Apply weld through primer or inter-weld sealer to
all surfaces to be resistance spot welded.
Where appropriate, apply metal-to-metal adhesive
or sealer in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
Caution: Do not
burn
off undersea I,
use a
'hot knife' or
a

suitable solvent.
2. Cut out the spot welds using aZipcutter or roto-Bor.
At this point it may be necessary to cut out the bulk
of a panel using a pneumatic saw.
Note: On
some
panels,
before removing the bulk of the
panel, brazed
areas
and MIC welded
seams
should be
removed.
3. Separate the spot welded joints and remove the
panel remnants.
Preparing Old Surfaces

1.
Remove the weld nuggets with a sander and 36 grit
disc.

2.
Clean all flanges to a bright smooth finish.
3. Straighten existing panel joint edges as required.
Preparing New Surfaces

1.
Mark off the area of the new panel and cut to size
leaving approximately two inches overlap on the
existing panel

2.
Offer up the new panel or section and align it with
the associated parts.
3. Clamp the panel into position.

4.
Where necessary, cut the new and original panels
to form a but joint.
5. Remove all clamps and the new panel.
6. If required, apply the inner panel protection and or
sound insulation.
Panel Alignment

1.
Align the replacement panel with the associated
panel and clamp it in position.

2.
With certain panels it may be necessary to tack
weld or use PK screws.
Welding

1.
MIC tack the butt joints.

2.
Re-check the alignment and the panel contours as
necessary.
3. Select the correct arms for resistance spot welding
and ensure that the tips are correctly trimmed.
Note: It
is
recommended that
the arms are
not more than
12 in (300 mm) in length.

4.
Test the equipment for satisfactory operation using
test coupons.
In the absence of test equ ipment
a
satisfactory weld
can be verified by pulling the test coupons apart
and viewing the welded condition.
5. Resistance spot weld where required. Note the
presence of zinc coated panels and treat as
previously described.
6. Dress back all MIC tack welds.
7. MIG seam weld the butt joints.
8. Dress all welds as required.
9. Final brazeand lead load as necessary priorto paint
preparation.
7-4 May 1996

•=2?

Body and Trim
Rear Quarter Window Renewal
9.1.01.1 -
Rear
Quarter Window Renewal
Procedure

1.
Move the front seat forward to gain access.

2.
Switch on the ignition, release the roof locking
latches and lower the roof to approximately the
midway position. Switch off the ignition.
3. Remove the rear seat squab and cushion. Remove
the rear quarter trim panel.

4.
Remove the roof cylinder support bracket securing

bolts.

5. Support the roof, removethecylindertoroofsecuring
bolt. Remove the cylinder bracket.
6. Disconnectthecylinderfromthepivotand carefully
lower the roof.
7. Remove the window motor cover. Disconnect the
window motor feed wires.
Reassembly
Reassembly is the reverse of the removal procedure.
On reconnection of the motor, check the window
height as follows:

1.
Switch on the ignition and raise the rear quarter
windows.

2.
Check that the top of the glass is exactly level with
the top edge of the fully raised door window.
3. Check for
a
complete vertical seal between the rear
quarter window and the door window.

4.
If the rear window alignment is not correct, adjust
it using the procedure in the Wind Noise and
Sealing section.
5. Switch off the ignition and complete the reassembly.
6. Switch on the ignition, raise the roof and recheck
for complete sealing at the rear window top edge.
Figure 1. Window Motor Mountings
8. Release and remove the window motor finisher,
feeding the wires through the grommet.
9. Remove the window motor mounting bracket
securing bolts.

10.
Remove the motor assembly, disengaging it from
the glass.

11.
Remove the window carrier securing nuts and
special washers

12.
Remove the window
adjusters,
d isplace and remove
the window carrier.
May 1996 7-13

^^7
Body and Trim
Rear Quarter Window Lift Motor
9.1.01.4 - Rear Quarter Window Lift
Motor - Left Hand
Procedure

1.
Move the front seat forward to gain access.

2.
Switch on the ignition, release the roof locking
latches and lower the roof. Switch off the ignition.
Remove the rear seat squab and cushion. Remove
the rear quarter trim panel.
Disconnect the window motor feed wires.
Figure 1. LH Window Lift Motor Removal
5. Release and remove the window motor finisher,
feeding the wires through the grommet.
6. Remove the window motor mounting bracket
securing bolts.
7. Remove the motor assembly, disengaging it from
the glass.
8. Remove the motor to carrier securing bolts and
remove the motor.
Reassembly
Reassembly is the reverse of the removal procedure.
On reconnection of the motor, check the window
height as follows:

1.

2.

Switch on the ignition and raise the rear quarter
windows.
Check that the top of the glass is exactly level with
the top edge of the fully raised door window.
Check for
a
complete vertical seal between the rear
quarter window and the door window.
Figure 1. Rear Quarter Window Alignment

4.
If the rear window alignment is not correct, adjust
it using the procedure in the Wind Noise and
Sealing section.
5. Switch off the ignition and complete the reassembly.
6. Switch on the ignition, raise and latch the roof,
recheck for complete sealing at the rear window
top edge.
May 1996 7-15

Body and Trim
Rear Quarter Window Lift Motor '^^
9.1.01.5 - Rear Quarter Window Lift
Motor - Right Hand
Procedure

1.
Move the front seat forward to gain access.

2.
Switch on the ignition, release the roof locking
latches and lower the roof. Switch off the ignition.
3. Remove the rear seat squab and cushion. Remove
the rear quarter trim panel.

4.
Disconnect the window motor feed wires.
Figure 1. LH Window Lift Motor Removal
5. Release and remove the window motor finisher,
feeding the wires through the grommet.
6. Remove the window motor mounting bracket
securing bolts.
7. Remove the motor assembly, disengaging it from
the glass.
8. Remove the motor to carrier securing bolts and
remove the motor.
Reassembly
Reassembly is the reverse of the removal procedure.
On reconnection of the motor, check the window
height as follows:

1.
Switch on the ignition and raise the rear quarter
windows.

2.
Check that the top of the glass is exactly level with
the top edge of the fully raised door window.
3. Check for a complete vertical seal between the rear
quarter window and the door window.
A
Figure 2. Rear Quarter Window Alignment
4. If the rear window alignment is not correct, adjust
it using the procedure in the Wind Noise and
Sealing section.
5. Switch offthe ignition and complete the reassembly.
6. Switch on the ignition, raise and latch the roof,
recheck for complete sealing at the rear window
top edge.
7-16 May 1996

^^2?
Body and Trim
Roof Sealing and Wind Noise
Roof Sealing and Wind Noise
Roof seals and side windows have been provided
with
a range
ofadjustments capable ofdealing with
any leaks which may occur.
The following information is divided into five
sections:

1.
A post and header sealing/roof lock adjustment

2.
Roof seals - adjustment
3. Cheater plate seals - adjustment/renewal

4.
Door glass - adjustment
5. Rear quarter glass - adjustment (9.1.01.2)
When a leak is
reported,
either wind noise or water
ingress, try to pinpoint the actual leak path using
any of the following methods:
• An ultrasonic leak detector
• An air flow
detector,
e.g.
Drager
smoke
tube
• Paper test strips at seal contact areas
9.2.01.5 - 'A' Post/Header Sealing and
Lock Adjustment
when a leak is detected at the top of the 'A' post
adjacent to the header rail
seal,
first
ensure
that the
roof lock is correctly adjusted.
If the lock is difficult to operate, it is probably
overtensioned. Release the retaining hook locknut

and extend
the hook
one full
turn.
Checkand repeat
the adjustment as necessary.
If the locking handle is loose, it is undertensioned.
Release the retaining hook locknut and screw the
hook inwards one full
turn.
Check and repeat the
adjustment as necessary.
Open the roof and check for obvious seal defects
i.e. collapse, damage or manufacturing faults.
Replace where necessary.lf the lock tension is
correct and a leak is still evident, it may be caused
by lack of pressure between the front frame and
header seals (Fig 2).

Increase seal pressure by inserting a
packer between
the front and rear frame seals (see DB7 Volante
parts manual).

Note:
After fitting
sea!
packers, check the locking
handle tension and adjust if necessary. If
a
leak is
still evident, go to 9.2.01.6.

Figure
2. Front and
Rear Seal Packers

Figure 1. Roof
Lock

May 1996 7-17

^7
Air Conditioning
Temperature Distribution System
Temperature Distribution System
The heating and ventilation unit case consists of three sections:
• the front, which contains the air conditioning system evaporator
• the rear section, which consists of two parts and contains the heater matrix and rotary flaps
• the lower outlets which direct air to footwell and rear passenger compartment and are removable.
Temperature variation within the car
is
achieved by all incoming air passing through the evaporator and then being
directed through or around the heater matrix by rotary flaps:
• Full heating (Fig.1)
• Defrost (Fig. 2)
• Full cooling (Fig. 3)
Blend (Fig. 4)
Figure 1.
Figure
2.

Figure
3.
Figure
4.
The rotary flaps are opened or closed by servo motors, as directed by the control system, and flap position
information is relayed to the ECM by feedback potentiometers.
(Solid arrow = Hot, Line arrow = Cold)
May 1996 8-9

^?
Air Conditioning
Torque Settings / Depressurising the System
Torque Levels for the Hose Connections
COMPONENT TORQUE Nm
Evaporator Hose
Hose to Expansion Valve 32.0 ± 4.0
Hose to Compressor 34.0 ± 2.0
Condenser Hose
Hose to Compressor 34.0 ± 2.0
Hose to Compressor 25.0 ± 4.0
Condenser Pipe
Pipe to Drier Bottle 6.0 ± 1.5
Evaporator Pipe
Pipe to Expansion Valve 16.0 ± 1.5
Air Conditioning Procedures
Depressurising
Note:
Observe
all
safety
precautions and do not smoke
while carrying out the following
procedures.

1.
With the engine switched off, remove the protective
caps from the schraeder valves.

2.
Ensure the manifold gauge set hand valves are in
the closed position, then by using the access valve
core remover connect the manifold gauge set to the
system with the red hose to the high pressure side
and the blue hose to the low pressure side.
3. Screw out the valve core to allow the refrigerant to
flow.

4.
Place the centre hose of the manifold set into a
suitable container.
5. Slowly open the high or low side manifold hand
valve and adjust the valve for a smooth refrigerant
flow. Watch the refrigerant for any signsof escaping
oil and adjust the hand valve to prevent any oil

escaping.

6. If oil islostduringthedischarge,thecompressoroil
level must be checked and if necessary topped up.
7. As the discharge rate slows down, open the other
manifold hand valve so that refrigerant flows from
both high and low pressure sides of the system.
8. Constantly adjust the hand valves to ensure that oil
does not flow. When a zero reading is shown on
both high and low pressure gauges the system is
discharged.
8. Close both manifold hand valves.
Recovering Refrigerant
Caution: The
Recovery-Recycle-Recharging
equipment

has
special fittings to avoid
cross
contamination with
R-

12
systems.
Do not attempt to adapt
this
unit for
R-12
as
system
failure will
result.

Warning: Follow the safety procedures
as
defined at the
beginning of the section.
Caution: The unit's overfill limitation mechanism has

been
calibrated specifically for
use
with
the 50
lb.
(23 Kg)

refillable refrigerant
tank.

As the refrigerant is recovered it is passed through
an oil separator and
a
filter drier before it is allowed
to enter the refrigerant tank. When it is dry the
moisture indicator turns green.
May 1996 8-47

^2?
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Hose - Compressor to Evaporator/Air-Con Unit Renew
8.1.06.1 Hose-Compressor
to
Evaporator
Renewal
Procedure

1.
Open the bonnet and fit a wing cover.

2.
Depressurise the air conditioning systenn.
3. Remove the hose to evaporator valve clamping

plate,
disconnect the hose from the valve, remove
and discard the 'O' ring
seal.

4.
Fit a blanking plug to the evaporator valve. Release
the evaporator hose securing clips.
5. Remove the compressor outlet port retaining bolt.
6. Disconnect the hose from the compressor, discard
the hose complete with 'O' ring seals.
7. Connect the hose to the evaporator valve and
tighten clamp onto the hose.
8. Route the hose to the compressor, fit a new 'O' ring
seal and connect it to the compressor.
9. Position the outlet port retaining plate on the
compressor, fit and tighten the securing bolt.

10.
Refit the hose to the clips.

11.
Charge the air conditioning system.

12.
Remove the wing cover and close the bonnet.
8.2.01.1 Air Conditioning Unit Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Drain the engine coolant into a suitable container.
3. Depressurise the air conditioning system.

4.
Disconnect the high and low pressure hoses and
expansion valve from the air conditioning unit (see
expansion valve renewal).
5. Slacken the coolant hose to the heater matrix pipe
securing clips and disconnect the hoses from the
matrix. (This will require the removal of the air
intake hose for access.)
6. Remove the following items from inside the car:
front seats
underscuttle panels/knee bolsters
glove box assembly
facia trim (walnut trim)
radio and ashtray
centre console switch panel assembly
instrument panel and surround trim
steering wheel and column
facia assembly complete
hoses - distribution box to door vents
facia support frame
Details and drawings of the above operations can
be found in the electrical and trim sections.
Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the blower
motors, water valve and reservoir.
Un-clip the electrical harness from the air
conditioningunit, release theelectrical connections
and reposition the harness to allow removal of the
unit.
Displace and remove the footwell ventilator ducts
and hoses (Fig. 1-1).
May 1996 8-55

^>
Air Conditioning Repair Procedures
Electronic Control Module/Vacuum Solenoid Renewal
8.2.14.1 Electronic Control Module
Renew
8.3.01.1 Vacuum System Solenoid
Renewal

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Remove the right hand underscuttle casing.
3. (On left hand cars) Removethe glove box assembly.
3. (On right hand cars) Remove the instrument pack
and surround
trim.

4.
Disconnect the earth wire and three block
connectors from the control module (Fig.
1
-2).
5. Remove the securing screws and module from the
air conditioning unit (Fig. 1-1).
Fitting a new module
is
the reversal of the removal
procedure.
The flaps in the cabin air distribution vents and the
water valve in the pipe line from the engine coolant
system to the heater matrix are all operated by
vacuumactuators.The vacuumfor these issupplied
by four solenoids mounted in a manifold pack
located behind the front left hand footwell outlet.
Failureof a solenoid will require replacement of the
manifold pack.
Procedure

1.
Disconnect the battery earth
lead.

2.
Remove the following:
• glove box and lid
• facia trim (walnut strip)
• radio and ashtray
• centre console switch assembly
• left hand underscuttle casing/knee bolster
Detai
Is
ofthe above operations can be found in the
trim and the electrical sections.

2.
Remove thefixings joining the centre console to the

facia.
This allows the front of the console to be
repositioned for access.
3. Disconnect the ducting from the left hand footwell
outlet.

4.
Remove the two plastic fixings that secure the
slotted footwel
I
outlet and
si
ide the outlet out ofthe
unit.
7. Cut the tie strap holding the vacuum lines and
electrical harness to the underside of the air
conditioning unit.
8. Remove the screws that secure the manifold pack
to the underside of the air conditioning unit and
slide out the plate complete with the manifold
pack.

10.
To fit a new manifold pack reverse the steps for the

removal.

May 1996 8-63

The Aston Martin Lagonda Diagnostic System
Installation Instructions E:MB^^?
Introduction The Aston Martin Diagnostic System
This guide contains instructions for the installation
of the Portable Diagnostic Unit hardware in Aston
Martin Dealer workshops. To achieve maxinnum
benefit from the system, please follow the
instructions carefully. The following System
Diagram shows the principal system components
and panel details.
This introduction briefly describes the system and
its capabilities. This is followed by the Installation
and Power-Up procedures which give detailed
instruaions on how to start the system and access
the self-contained Interactive
Training
Programme.
The subsequent sections detail the fault diagnosis
and maintenance procedures.
WARNING:
The equipment must
only
be used by

trained
personnel.
Care should
be taken to use the

equipment in accordance with the operating

procedures.
Observe
all safety
warnings
in this

guide.
If any part of
the system is damaged do not

use it. Call your local CenRad
Service
Centre

immediately
for a
substitute
part.
Refer to
'Parts

Ordering'.
The Aston Martin Diagnostic System is a new
generation diagnostic
tool
which fulfils
a
number of
functions in aiding the technician to quickly and
accurately locate faults. The heart of the system is
the Portable Diagnostic
Unit,
a
lightweight powerful
computer/measurement system providing a step-
by-step user friendly interface for the technician.
PDU functions include:
Data Logger - The ability to monitor and record
control module signals even whilst the vehicle is
being driven.
On-Line Help-Containing detailed descriptions in
the
operation
ofthevehicleselectroniccomponents.
Vehicle Setup - The ability to setup various
adjustable parameters to their optimum settings.
Diagnostic Trouble Codes - The ability to extract
recorded fault information from the DB7's control
modules.
Each of
these
funaions is described in detail in the
PDU Users Guide.
WARNING: If
the system is used to measure high

voltages,
these voltages can appear on the pins of

other
connectors in
the
system.
Ensure
that socket
covers
are
fitted
on
unused
sockets.
Ensure
that all

connections
are
made
prior to
applying the high
voltage to
the
probes.
Do not
leave the equipment
unattended
in
this
state.
The maximum
voltage

that may be applied
between the
test
probes is 150
volts
AC or DC.
Radio Interference Statements
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A
limits for radio noiseemissionsfromdigital apparatus

as set
out
in
the radio interference regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for Class A digital device
pursuant to part 15 of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules. However, operation in
close proximity to domestic communication
equipment may cause interference. It is the
responsibility of the user to avoid or correct this

condition.

9-2 May 1996