So my AUX input woes have been solved!
I contacted Essex Ford (I highly recommend their eBay store) and they replied quickly and sent out a new part for me. Today I pulled the parts out and changed it over – same problem!
I fiddled about a bit and found the reason for the problem is that the actual connector barrel is in two parts, which click together. It would appear the older unit wouldn’t click together properly. After playing about, I managed to get the new one to click home properly, and I was then blessed with proper sound from my iPod! I was pretty chuffed, I can tell you!
This afternoon I also got my clutch ‘fixed’ as part of the recall ford did. The ‘fix’ is a small washer they fit somewhere onto the clutch rod. I also had a squeaking problem I’d noticed fixed at. Apparently it’s a fairly common problem whereby the bracket the rear seats lock onto when they’re in the upright position needs lubricating a little. With a little oil, the squeak goes away.
My tax renewal turned up this morning too. Today seems to be car day.