January 2003
I have searched the archive, but did not find the answer to my question, so perhaps somebody could enlighten me.
I have a car (Citroën ZX) with central locking, but unfortunately not the remotely operated variety. I have spotted aftermarket kits for this on the web which claim to be simple to fit. They seem to be divided into the ones which claim to plug in and go (in place of current central locking control unit) and the ones which come with lots of wires and assurances of simplicity.
The CL works from drivers side and/or passenger side currently. Can somebody tell me what fitting a kit actually entails. Is it really as simple as plug and go? Does anybody know where the gubbins is located on a Citroën ZX? Can anybody recommend a supplier and kit that they have purchased and fitted themselves? I see the Maplins one looks popular, but that is one of the types with worrying amounts of wiring.
Be gentle with me, I am car electrics phobic! :-) Read more
The key for my Sharan has broken. Four of my nearest dealers all say they do not have a workshop set of keys of this type,so unless someone can help me I shall have to butcher all four of them off. The pattern inside the key looks like a star shaped pastry cutter, almost the same as the type used on current Fords such as Mondeo or Focus. Ford ones have too deep a skirt on the outside of the key to stand a chance of fitting. My particular one has a green spot and I.D. number 83075 935. Has anybody within reach of Preston got one I can come and use? Failing this, what method of butchering them out do you suggest? So far suggestions are either careful chisel work or finding a socket which is just too small to slide over, hammering it over and hoping it bites in enough to turn the bolt.I'm hoping someone can help, thanks. David B. Read more
I work for a Ford dealer. The Ford workshop set looks very similar but has a deeper skirt round the outside of the key so the "pastry cutter star" shape cannot reach down to engage the bolt. I haven't tried a Seat dealer yet because the nearest is miles away,but might be worth a try. The problem seems to be that the Sharan / Galaxy / Alhambra seem to use one or two bits of kit which differ from other models the dealers have to deal with and this is one of those bits of kit. Thanks for your help,
I'll check out Seat dealers.
Heard a piece about the new Mazda RX8 on the radio this aft' - sounds a very, very nice car. Rotary engine, 4 doors (2 rear doors open backwards & allow better access), enough room in the back for 2 adults (big problem with Toyota Celica) ll starating from about £19k or thereabarts ! Anyone know any more about it ? I'd be interested to know what the reliability is likely to be and whether there are any inherent problems or prohibitive costs associated with the rotary unit. Seem to remember the old RX7 had a Wankel rotary engine and people raved about it. Anyone got any more info ? Read more
So if you fancy (and are lucky enough to be able to afford!) an RX8 then get your name down asap as they won't be importing that many and there will not be any discounts - yes?
Interesting to see what speculators will do wrt the RX8...
As nice as it looks I think agreeing to buy a car that you haven't even sat in let alone driven is mad!
HJ is right about the price though - well used RX7s aren't that much cheaper than a brand new RX8!
Bit morbid, but I was just reading the RAC report about Friday evenings being the worst times for road accidents.
Apparently there are around 250 fatalities/serious injuries at 5pm on Fridays, compared with 180 average for the same time other weekdays. (I find both figures staggeringly high).
So, all of you take care driving home tonight - and of course every other night too.
HF Read more
Hi Cockle -
Point taken, and I'm glad any lapse of concentration on your part has ended happily so far. Hope it continues - and take care, wherever you may find youself.
HF
Driving home last night, the free-flowing (really!) traffic suddenly started to slow. The blockage turned out to be one of those little electronic disabled buggies being driven along the side of the road, weaving in and out to avoid drains and potholes. It was very difficult to see in the dark, and impossible to see when it was behind you as its lights were no more than six inches above ground level. It also seemed very unstable due to its four inch diameter wheels and high c of g.
Given all this plus the fact that its top speed seemed to be about walking pace and that it wasn't taxed or licensed it's hard to believe these things are meant to be road legal, although I can guess who would be held to be of blame if a collision occurred. What was more frightening was the fact that just 20 yards beyond the point where I passed it, it would have reached a roundabout - I hate to think what happened there.
Anyone know what the terms of use are supposed to be - road legal or pavement only?
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I drove into one of these electric invalid scooter things last year! Xo)
I'd been sitting at a red light controlling a crossroads on a one-way system, when the lights changed to green the only direction traffic could go was round a left turn. It's a 3-lane road, and everyone wants to be first away from the lights to get into "their" lane before the next set. There were no pedestrians around, and as I looked up the the signal changing to green I went, looked back down at the road just as there was a "bang" and a little old lady on a scooter doing pirhouettes in the road in front of me! No harm done to her, scooter or car, but she had just ridden it along the pavement down the road to my left with the intention of crossing the road at the set of lights I had been sitting at, ie she was going at top speed, in a straight line.
The worrying part of it was, after I had dragged the scooter by the back bumper, back onto the pavement, with 2 lanes of traffic thundering past my stationary car, she still had her accelerator lever firmly pressed, and when I put her back wheels on the ground she tried to zoom straight out across the road to get run into again! All she was saying was "I wanted to go down THERE", and pointing across the traffic...
Whilst washing a non-stick pan and noticing the water run off as if it had been waxed the thought came to me why not apply the finish to cars,imagine just having to hose the dirt off and never needing to wax it ever.
There must be a reason why this process has not been applied before... cost, durability, anybody know the why.
Mal. Read more
I'll keep my eye out on 'sellervision' for a fueless car, but I don't think they'd convince me it's works though! Generally before I buy something I'll do as much research as I can on the internet, the owners opinions are a very good indicator of if somethings good or not.
Back to normal now - ranting over!
Steve.
I was recently involved in a frontal impact car accident at around 30-40mph. However, my airbags didnt deploy, passenger and driver and I was wondering who I can contact to find out what went wrong and if anyone is legally responsible for this. Read more
That really wasn't what I wanted to hear but thanks for the advice. I think I might just have a chat with that (hopefully) nice dealer or manufacturer.
Does anyone know of anywhere on the web where I can view some form of reliability comparison (league table?) for all makes of car in one hit?
As its time to change car and I'm seriously out of touch all help appreciated!!
HJ's car by car list is helpful but you have to keep switching in and out of the views. I'll almost certainly use it when making a final choice.
Thanks
Stuart Read more
can any suggest what may be wrong with my friends 3.0 turbo diesel(OHC - 66k miles) isuzi trooper(w reg)? It takes a heck of a lot of cranking over to get started first thing in the morning. It is fine when it starts up, except for a burst of black reek from the exhaust(probably from all the cranking). Also if the hand fuel pump in the engine bay is tried before cranking it is soft for the first two or three pumps before it becomes stiff, suggesting possibly that the fuel is running back? It is fine to start any other time, just has bother when left overnight, or for a long period. The vehicle is used everyday, and runs perfectly. Any help appreciated, thanks. Read more
UPDATE: My friend booked the trooper into a specialist who diagnosed the valve seats just as suggested. Going to cost 400 notes to sort. Thanks again Shigg, spot on mate!
Does anyone have a link to the full spec of older cars?
SWMBO has gone off the idea of getting a Fiesta in favour of a Punto. She will be doing a 30 mile each way commute daily and is looking for some comforts.
I could do with finding out a bit about the product range from 1999/2000 ish - which model has which toys etc. I checked the Fiat webpage and can only find current specs, which don't seem to have the same model names as we've been looking at (ELX, HLX etc), or if they are they may well be different in some way from the older models. (I know Parkers paper guide has some of this info and will invest in one at the w/e if no-one comes up trumps)
Also if anyone has any views on engine size, number of valves and the Speedtronic gears I would be happy to hear them. The CbC breakdown seems to indicate a reliable little car...
TIA Read more
Aha! Thanks Richard, I'd looked there last night but couldn't find it. Just found some info there which will help.
Can anyone offer advice about whether 16 valves might be better than 8, and whether Speedgear is useful or a waste of time?
Thanks
Browse
...... or is
I think this is what's known as an oxymoron.....:-)