Segment information, By Region and Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total controls segment revenues	$ 12,543	$ 9,115
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	12,543	9,115
Total Long-Term Assets	25,008		$ 25,385
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total controls segment revenues	7,135	8,707
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member] | Electronic Controls for Zero Emission and Hybrid Electric Vehicles [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total controls segment revenues	4,478	6,450
Reportable Segments [Member] | Controls [Member] | Accessory and Aftermarket Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total controls segment revenues	2,657	2,257
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | U. S. A. [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	3,944	4,104
Total Long-Term Assets	2,275		2,224
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Total Foreign [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	8,599	5,011
Total Long-Term Assets	22,733		23,161
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	1,364	3,454
Total Long-Term Assets	6,086		5,891
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Italy
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	5,161	0
Total Long-Term Assets	15,943		16,580
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | France [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	1,533	1,284
Total Long-Term Assets	333		302
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Sales	541	$ 273
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Korea, Japan and China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Long-Term Assets	$ 371		$ 388