November 2002
Hi,
I'm having problems with false messages on the message display saying that I have a blown bulb. None are actually blown and the next step is to find the control unit which tells the display whats at fault. Just for good measure I've changed all the bulbs monitored to no avail.
It is clearly shown in the Haynes manual as P25 - Bulb sensor module - but I can't actually find the module anywhere obvious and its a bit cold to start searching.
Its the size of a packet of cigarettes, has one connector and is help in place by 2 screws.
If anyone knows exactly where said unit is located I'd be very pleased to hear from them!
Regards .......... Robert Read more
Please could you let me know your thoughts on this deal......
I'm looking to buy a Golf GT TDi new from my local dealer. they seem unwilling to drop below list price (£16,200 ish, 3 door), but they have offered £4,000 for my 2001/Y Punto 1.2 Elx 8v which has 31,000 miles and patchy service history, plus the Punto is an import so has alledgedly been down-valued.
So the offer is £12,200 to change, and they can do the finance at 7.1% APR. Sound like a good deal or has anyone got any suggestions??
Thanks.
Read more
Just been back to the dealer, sat down to discuss the deal. He remembered me from last weekend - "Thats right, i remember you.... £4500 p/x for the Punto wasnt it?" Erm.... thank you!! So he couldnt remember all the facts!! So i was on a better deal straight away. Then spoke to a different finance bloke that sorted me out a finance deal that was £8/Month cheaper than quoted last weekend for the same borrowed amount (i used the extra £500 on my p/x to add a few more options!), but the deal was that i had to take the Gap insurance - at £8/month oddly enough.
Anyway, deal done, £1500 more than i expected to get for the Punto, discounted options added and a good finanace rate...... Roll on next weekend!!
Something i didnt ask about but someone will surely know - can the dealer do anything about the tax on the new car? With it being registered right at the end of the month, i'm going to lose some of the tax? I'm sure i remember my new Ka a few years ago was taxed for 12 months + 1 week??
Cheers!
A general chat over the counter at my main VX agent proved illuminating.
1
The new Vectra serviceing interval is recommended at a maximum of 20K miles or two years. Diesels 30K or two years
2
The spec for the petrol engined cars factory filled oil is 0W-30 Super synthetic.
3
My understanding is that bedding in a new engine with synthetic oils is not recommended, as the lubricity of the oil is to efficient.
4
Engines not properly "bedded in" can have a substantially increased oil consumption.
5
The industry pandering to the fleet market is the main driver for the large service intervals described. What value do you now put on a fully stamped service book?
6
Imagine a new Vectra towing a caravan in the south of Europe in mid summer, when ambient temperatures are elevated. This oil must be at "the end of its (specification) tether" irrespective of when it was last changed
What is the secondhand market going to recieve four years down the line I wonder?
Julian Lindley
Read more
Thanks Dynamic.
HF
Yesterday my beloved Escort was hit by another car whilst in a car park. The damage has been estimated at approx. £200 to the rear of the car. I was not around at the time of the accident but was kindly left a note which had an apology and a telephone number on it. After ringing the number, a guy answered and told me he knew nothing about it and promptly put the phone down. Now, either the number given was fake, or the car-owner had come to the decision it would be better not to have been so honest. Either way, I telephoned the local police station who sent round 2 officers and was told they could do nothing with just a scrap of paper with a telephone number on it. Now, surely, this is wrong? Surely they could have followed it up, traced the number and looked at the other vehicle for damage etc? I realise the police have `proper crime` to fight but I am utterely annoyed by this. Does anyone know if I can take this any further? I felt kinda bumped off by the police`s attitude to this. Read more
?Now, either the number given was fake, or the car-owner had come to the decision it would be better not to have been so honest.?
There?s another possibility, that the damage was done by the guy?s wife/girlfriend/son/daughter. They tell their old man what?s happened and he?s not happy that they?ve left their details. Is there a name or anything like a signature on the note?
The police usually useless, I?m only surprised that they sent anyone around to tell you that they won?t do anything. Without any witnesses, there would probably have been no likelihood of a prosecution, even if they had investigated it further.
The customary 50% discount to AA members on the cost of an MoT at Halfords has been discontinued. It's now just 10%.
I understand from the Halfords receptionist that the change in the AA's policy was announced in their July Newsletter. However, I for one did not notice the declaration and I would be interested to hear from anyone who did! Read more
Just read the below in Singapore Straits Times:
NEW YORK - German company Mercedes Benz has developed a system that senses when a vehicle accident is going to happen and makes quick adjustments to protect car occupants even before they react for themselves.
The firm's own accident researchers found that about two-thirds of accidents were preceded by skidding, emergency braking or sudden evasive moves, all of which took place a few seconds before an impact.
That small window of time is still enough to give the latest car computers time to detect the moves and respond.
If the Mercedes Pre-Safe system detects a driver braking with the sudden firmness characteristic of an emergency, or the car starts to fishtail, it tightens seat belts, moves seats and adjusts seat positions and backrests to the best possible positions for an impact.
If the car is in a severe skid, it closes the sunroof to protect occupants in case of a rollover.
Mercedes says its system can detect an imminent accident up to five seconds before it occurs.
Current safety systems such as air bags and seat belts with pre-tensioners that tighten upon impact deploy within milliseconds after an accident but do nothing beforehand.
Later versions of Pre-Safe might move bumpers or even monitor nearby cars - just to be on the safe side.
Do we really need a car that we just have to get into and point.
Are we abdicating proudly earned driving skills to the scientist
who will let us down with mechanically error and unreliability?
Mon dieu the mind boggles whats next?
DVD
PS. Anybody heard from our friend Growler from the Far East?
Hope he is OK.
Read more
Where the car in front is stopped at a roundabout and the car behind just doesn't react.
I know about this. :(
Blue
Aarrgghh! Just spent ages and ages explaining what happened to me tonight, thanks to a lovely road-rage-filled 20-stone driver.
Posted and like in your advice thread, Mark, it told me to log in (thought I'd already done that but never mind) so I didn't and followed the steps suggested. But never saw me post gain! It has been swallowed, and it was so much about me letting off steam about a really really bad and bullying driver I had the misfortune to come across tonight.
Pity, I needed just a sympathetic comment or 2 tonight, but never mind, seems to be nearly bedtime so I will semi-stop posting for now, unless I feel the need to say something about anything! Read more
So why did he have to take time off work to produce his docs? He had seven days to produce and many stations are open all hours. I suppose he couldn't have been driving in a stupid manner of course.
Hi,
I have seen some previous postings concerning the current woeful state of the Mercedes paint finishes and unfortunately I maybe setting out a well trodden path.
I currently own a Mercedes E320 CDI Estate, W reg 2.5 years old, which has numerous stone chips with 'spiders leg' type corrosion under the silver metallic paint, I previously had an H reg E Class saloon with no such problem. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced a similar pattern of corrosion?
I thought that quality cars were galvanised dipped hence I was considering having a report written on the bodywork finish by a specialist company. Could anyone please advise, from their own experience whether this is the best way forward and if so perhaps recommend a reputable company, preferably in the North West so I may pursue the matter further with Mercedes.
Any help or comments gratefully received.
David.
Read more
Since this note is already in Technical Matters, I have locked it and will delete it at some point in the future.
f you have a contribution to make, please go to the thread in Technical Matters.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=4&t=88...5
I have a close relative whom sells Renaults for a living. He currently drives a two week old 'new shape' Megane. In those two weeks the hand brake has failed, all electrics have ceased to function, car has refused to start twice.
He comments that he can mark in his diary when a clio will be returned to the dealer. Four weeks after delivery they will be returned due to an airbag warnng light illuminating.Four out of five Lagunas will be returned at some stage ddue to electric problems.
As he says, "I only sell 'em, I'd never buy one."
Would you?
MLC Read more
according to beakdown statistics released by adac.de, the german car owners association, Megane cars and Renaults in general are not worse than their european equivalent in general, and since 2006 above par
How many miles per gallon do all you VR6 drivers get on average?
Matt Read more
More pots = more petrol I guess, tho at least the VR6 doesn't have 24 valves which counts in its favour. If people are getting over 30 mpg that sounds pretty good for a 170+ bhp V6 motor at any speed ;-)
Browse
.jpg)
Usually a bulb-fail sensor will compare the current flow at either side of the car and will include the number plate lights.
Therefore the problem may not be at the bulb but on the circuit feeding the bulb(s),(ie high resistance contact or poor connection)