Time to get the turd going again

[ross_jsy]

After months of not looking at the thing due to work, college and private jobs and generally losing interest I opened the garage today for the first time in ages and hooked up a battery. Haven't even started it in about a year. Cranked it over with some oil down the bores and plugs out, stuck in some fresh fuel (tank was drained as I fitted new fuel lines) and started it up.

First thing, the battery light is on, even with the ignition off. I seem to remember this being a problem last time I had it running so any idea's?

Secondly, it spluttered into life and has a very lumpy idle, backfiring every now and then quite badly on a few occasions and cutting out. Only let it run for a few minutes and gave it some revs, revs quite well but returns to the lumpy idle. What could be causing this? I'm guessing either an air leak or the fact it's not ran in ages (does the ecu need to relearn it's settings?) and it could just need a bit of a clear out.

Thought the bottom end had gone till I dipped the clutch, gearbox rattles like you wouldn't believe. Not helped by being on solid gearbox mounts. Have my spare mint box off my sport with 70k on it, looks like I'll be putting that on. Can I drop the box off the back or am I going to have to get the engine crane out for extra clearance?

Cheers!

[Speedtouch]

Yes, ECU probably needs to relearn its settings; let it idle for at least 10 minutes, switch off, then go for a drive throughout the rev range.