July 2001
I was on holiday in France recently and visited a local town, I parked in the town square and locked my car using the remote keyfob which locks the doors and turns on the alarm.
On return the car would not open using the keyfob so I got some new batteries, no joy. I could open the car using the key and start it but the alarm was in full swing by then. I phoned the RAC who said that they could not respond as the car would start, they gave the details of a nearby garage.
I then phoned my dealer in the UK who told me which fuse to remove and I then metioned that I was parked near to a Police station with a radio mast on the roof. He said that this was probabaly the problem and that if I drove away a little it may work. I removed the fuses to silence the alarm and drove away but the keyfob still did not work, however, my spare one does, apparently they need to be retuned following such instances of radio interference.
Has anyone had this problem elsewhere?
Also, I recommend that when parking up somewhere you are new to look around for radio masts and if they are evident, move or lock your car with the key (nobody took a bit of notice to my alarm going off).
It may also be worth finding out how to silence your alarm in these instances as finding out when abroad or at night may be tricky. Read more
My brother has recently had his clio MOT done and it failed on the rear suspension bushes being worn out. It is a 1994 model and has covered 75k miles. Is this a common millage / age for such failure?? He has been quoted £350 for replacement in order to pass. Is this reasonable or a rip off.
I was unaware that such a thing would come up in an MOT and there had been no previous service done at the same garage.
Regards
Matt Read more
David Lacey wrote:
>
> We see many
> bushes failing at the 45-60K mile mark, notably **Volkswagens**
This is going to be a long, long thread...
Hi
could you please tell me the type of refrigerant used in a puegeuot 405 n reg car , is it R12,R22, or R 134a
Thank you
Gary Linley Read more
Gas used is R134a with PAG oil. Qty is 650 gramms. Whatever you do, don't put anything other than this in it. Unfortunately Peugoet are one of the many manufacturers that don't bother to list this under the bonnet, despite them all getting together a while back and deciding it was a good idea for the environment to list clearly what is used and how much. But then I guess to the DIYer it won't mean anything anyway as there isn't much you can do with.
JUST ABOUT TO START OUT ON A SHOPPING TRIP TO WOLVERHAMPTON AND THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT CAME ON AND AT ANYTHING OVER 4000RPM AND MISSFIRE WAS FELT,I TOOK MY CAR TO A VAUXHALL AGENT IN WOLVERHAMPTON (CD BRAMALL) WHO SAID HE WOULD LOOK AT IT FOR ME,THE PRICE OF THIS CONSULTATION WAS A STAGGERING £168.43 FOR A NEW CAMSHAFT SENSOR,TECH 2 DIAGNOSIS,PARTS AND LABOUR ESTIMATED AT 1.5 HRS.
MY PROBLEM IS,THE CAR IS ONLY 2.5 YRS OLD 26000 MILES ON THE CLOCK IS REGULARLY SERVICED AT A VAUXHALL DEALER AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY OTHER PROBLEMS BEFORE.
WHY SHOULD WE PAY THESE EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES FOR UNEXPECTED WORK ON A VERY LOW MILAGE WELL LOOKED AFTER NEWISH CAR.
HAS ANYBODY ELSE HAD THIS VAUXHALL PROBLEM!
P.S VAUXHALL TECH CENTRE HAS REPORTED NO CURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS SENSOR AND HAVE NO AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY ON IT. Read more
Yep, I have heard of many camshaft sensor failures with GM ecotec engines. The price quoted doesn't seem too bad.
Yes, you should ask for some goodwill payment towards this repair, contact Vauxhall Customer Services - perhaps a factual letter will get things moving.
Rgds
David
My wife has a standard "E" reg 1000cc mini, we used to use 4 star and since its demise have used LRP, but I have been told that I should be able to use ordinary unleaded petrol. Is this correct? Read more
Alan,
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs comissioned a series of tests at MIRA, using Rover A Series engines, and approved four liquid additives as providing good valve seat protection. They later added a couple more. Look for the FBHVC approved logo on a product. Castrol Valvemaster, Vlavemaster Plus, Superblend 2000, and Millers VSP were the original approved products - can't recall the additons.
Regards, Adam
My wife wants one of these, and I am quite tempted, what can I expect for 15 grand ? whats the best model / colour to go for ? anything I watch out for ? whaich engine is best suited ? I fancy a 2.8 but Mrs Bob is more keen on the 1.8 . decisions eh ? Read more
What ? ? ?
My wife's got one of these with the 2.0 six pot motor, its bloody marvellous and it's fast. Best of all they hold on to their value. We looked at MGFs but they are pitifully cramped inside, there's nowhere to rest your elbow, and the Sunvisors look as if they are made out of old fast-food cartons. The New Toyota MR 2 is more convincing. but the Z3 is really well made and we like it so there !
A few years I gave my Father one of these for his birthday.
He is now thinking about selling it, mostly because my mother has decided she wants a Cherokee or similar.
Its an M Reg, I think, but I can't remember what year that is. 95 maybe. Its the 3.? engine. Lovely condition, loads of cream coloured leather and stuff. Jag history from new.
Given that I'm several thousand miles away I can't help much more than giving him remote advice and its been 10 years since I did anything with the car market in the UK.
Any comments on Private Sale vs. Part Exchange ? Hassle avoidance is an advantage, even if entails losing some money.
I guess he wants to spend around 15k - 20k on a Cherokee which is obviously relevant to the P.Ex value of the Jag. I am sure that doesn't get him a new Cherokee.
Any and all comments would help. Even a pointer to a site giving second-hand car values would be useful.
Mark.
p.s. He doesn't want a Citroen. Read more
An M reg will be a 4.0 litre: possibly the best XJS convertible. It'w worth about £15k - £17k. Check what others are asking at www.autotrader.co.uk then advertise there for £7.50 a fortnight. There's a groovy new Cherokee on the way with V6 instead of antiquated straight six engines. Unless he's up for a Grand Cherokee, he should wait for the new Cherokee.
HJ
Hi,
I have just finished college and I have got a place on an Engineering Apprenticeship with British European. As I have takeen the bus into college I have not needed a car before. I am looking for a used car, about an Escort size with 1.4 to 1.6 engine, preferably an H reg or above. As I am 18, am I setting my hopes too high in terms of insurance? Are there any things I should look out for when buying the car (I hope to spend about £1500). Do I have to worry about high mileage? Should I go private or go to one of these used car supermarkets? Can I use an Engineer status to get lower insurance? Can andbody recommend a good inurance company?
Any help would be much appreciated
Cheers
Olaf Read more
fender = wing
windshield = windscreen
hand brake = emergency brake
dip = dip but beam = highs
bumper = bumper (usually)
side mirror = wing mirror
pavement = road
sidewalk = pavement
(on my California test I suggested that walking on the pavement was fine, but you should never park or drive on it. Confusion reigned.)
I have a Punto II 6-speed CVT, bought in January this year. In the Car by Car Breakdown section, Honest John says "Doubts remain over the longevity of CVT". Has anyone experienced problems with this system? Read more
My old man had a red Volvo 66 estate when I was 17. It looked nurdish but went like stink. I will never forget the look on this fellah's face went a spotty youth (moi) blew his Rover 2200 in to the woodwork, my was it fast ! Transmission used to scream like a thousand banshees when cold though.
My mondeo 2.0 1995 recently passed its mot. However with the warm weather and the window open I noticed a rattle a low revs. Apparently its the Baffles in my catalytic converter.Ive been told I can leave it as it could be expensive but I cannot put up the racket.Is about £200 a good price? and what are the consequences of leaving it a few months while I save up?? Read more
make sure that it is not just the heat shield on the cat that is rattling.
many garages inform people it is the baffles inside the cat when it is only the heat shield.you shouldn't do too much damage if the "baffles" have broken away,although there is a possibility that the loose debris could block up your exhaust causing the vehicle to stall and a possibility of engine damage.
Browse
I have taken the batteries out of a key to clean up the contacts and the code has been retained.