January 2003

Question Isuzu magic switch

Richard Hall on 29 January 2003

Between the seats on my newly acquired turbodiesel Isuzu Trooper is a rocker switch. The handbook tells me that this switch makes the engine warm up more quickly. Operating the switch results in a slight increase in engine idle speed - is that all it does? I had visions of a giant electric heating element in the engine block......

Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com Read more

rg on 30 January 2003

Richard,

I have a '96 3.1 Monterey, and I recall that this switch operates a fuel pre-heater.

The manual is quite misleading on this, and, as you say, indicates that this will warm the engine up. Probably a mis-translation.

HTH

rg

Question Fumes in Freelander

Jules on 29 January 2003

My petrol freelander has suddenly started to produce an unpleasant smell which is the same as you get from the catalytic converter. The smell occurs inside the car coming from the ventilation system. It only smells for a few seconds just after you pull up in traffic or at a junction then goes away. If I put the ventilation system in recirc it stops it. The air con is off so I don't think it's coming from that.

My local dealer (admittedly in France) is baffled and so am I

Any suggestions as to the cause would be welcome

Jules

Read more

Jules on 29 January 2003

He'd have to be an excellent 'cat' burglar to break into my garage every night to do his deed !!

Jules

Question speedometer failure

maru on 29 January 2003

the speedometer and mileage counter on my 306 seems to fail intermittently when the engine is not up to certain temp. After an hour of driving it seems to work again. Could someone share your views on this. Read more

Andrew-T on 29 January 2003

Perhaps the speedo cable needs to thaw out a bit?

Question pug306 clock display LCD

maru on 29 January 2003

My LCD panel at the centre console seems like very dim at the left side display. The temp display was much brighter. Read more

David Lacey on 19 June 2003

I'm down in Cider Country - just outside Taunton :-)

Question Towing with autos

jud on 29 January 2003

Copied this statement from practical caravan website, is this a true statement?
"Auto transmissions are far superior at towing than manuals, providing adequate cooling is provided. Usually the standard cooler is not up to the job."
(regarding auto against manual).
Read more

jud on 29 January 2003

Thank you all for your comments.

Question Have you fixed it??

Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up) on 29 January 2003

With deference to the Moderators, could I ask that if you pose a problem on this board, if it is either resolved by advice given or you sort it yourself could you post the result to round the thread off nicely. I am not seeking plaudits but it is a two way street and I come here to learn as well as try to assist.
(Waits for flak!!!)
Cheers
Andrew

Happiness is a T70 at full chat! Read more

Dynamic Dave on 23 February 2003

Just returning Andrew's post to the top of the pile again as a reminder. Nothing else to add, his note is self explanatory.

--
Dynamic Dave
Back Room Moderator

mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk

Forum Wrong Car, Right Car?

Martin Wall on 28 January 2003

what were they thinking of recommending a used Land Rover Discovery to somebody looking for a family car, are they mad! I hope the warranty they managed to haggle is *very* comprehensive.... Read more

davo on 21 March 2003

Yes, you are correct, total Friday brain overload!

Question idle problem

duggie on 28 January 2003

l have a 2.0ltr 405, the problem l have is that when you rev the engine the revs stay high then gradually fall back to the correct idle level, the throttle cable isnt sticking, other than this the car runs fine, any advice other than burn it or sell it would be appreciated.
Duggie Read more

Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up) on 28 January 2003

A bit more info please. Vehicle age, is it new to you?
Andrew

Happiness is a T70 at full chat!

Question Citroen ZX fan/blower.

StevenM on 28 January 2003

As well as my heated rear window not working (on another post)the fan/blower also seems to have stopped working on my 1993 Citroen ZX Aura.
How do I tell if it is the switch, blower motor etc as I do not wish to visit the garage if it can be easily resolved.Any help appreciated.
Regards
STEVENM. Read more

M.M on 29 January 2003

Well the resistor is so cheap and easy to do hardly any need to worry if it is that or not...just go for it.

If you have a Haynes and a voltmeter you can work out which of the wires to the resistor plug is live/earth/etc then bridge them to get max speed...ie to prove the motor is OK.

MM

Forum Who should get the second car?

Biglig on 28 January 2003

I've just moved out to the country, and everything about it is wonderful, except that there is no public transport to speak of. This means that we will need to get a second car, so that I have one to commute 35 miles each way to work, and my significant other will have one to get about in. I mean, there's no point me earning the money if she hasn't any opportuity to spend it. ;-)

Not too much budget - £3,000 would be an absolute maximum but nearer £1-2K would be much better.

Now, my inital plan was for her to take over our current car - R-reg Rover 200 - and for me to get a diesel, so as to save fuel costs.

However, following the ingenious method Honest John suggested, I have now measured the fuel consumption on the Rover, and it is giving 39.9, which is pretty good. I suspect I won't save that much money by switching to diesel, and that perhaps better value would be to buy a second petrol car for herself.

What are your opionions? Any particualar recommendations? Read more

Biglig on 4 February 2003

Ah, another good point, I find I am just on the limit of fitting the Rover (although I'm not that tall) so this will need to be borne in mind if I go for a small one.