February 2003
The workshop that looks after our cars was puzzled by a number of clutch failures on newly delivered cars. They decided to check an Omega as soon as it was delivered. They found the clutch burnt out to the point of failure.
It transpires that the guys loading the vehicles onto transporters have been holding them on the clutch, causing the damage.
Something to think about when you pick up your new car.
MLC Read more
Hello all,
I just thought I'd share a successful fix with you lot. I had an annoying idle surge on my '93 A80 which, after much faffing about, turned out to be the idle control motor. Anyway, Audi wanted £200 for it and the Audi breakers/GSF didn't have any 6-pin models. I tried a Citreon breaker and they had loads of 'em, so there's the tip; Mr Bosch used the same parts all over the place, if yours appears rare, try another manufacturer.
A quick question, despite the instructions on my Gunson FCR quoting my engine code (ABT), why can't I pull the fault codes from the ECU? Any other way of getting to 'em? Read more
Yep, certainly a good tip regarding sourcing seemingly rare parts (and one I have been using for a while).
On several cars I have had there is a sequence to use with the ingition key so the ECU fault codes are displayed as flashes on the dash board.
Then you have to decode the flashes. I got all my info from searching on internet, mainly owners clubs from the states.
try
www.audiclub.co.uk
20v.org/
www.audioc.force9.co.uk
Billy
Odd question for you. I've got to get a transit size van load of stuff from Bristol to near Toulouse (SW France)and rather than renting one and having to drive it back and fly out (we're moving there) I'm thinking of buying a very cheap van and scraping it when I get there.
I was thinking a old Renault Traffic or similar - it will need one month MOT and Tax and as long as it has one last journey in it I'll buy it.
Is this madness or good sense?
Any vans better than others?
Petrol or Diesel?
Auction or private?
Any advice gratefully received
MB
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If it's of any interest or use, I run a '87 Hi-ace D. 200,000 miles with mot and tax. V. reliable but V. shabby as regards to the bodywork. Only problem is I'm awaiting my next van to arrive, so I can continue my business. I would want £500 for it.
As the Octavia is on my next buy list has anybody got reliable data on fuel consumption and reliability of the 1.9TDI model. I have been told that this engine has a tendency to burn oil. Read more
Do you find that there's any difference in using fuel from
different sources ?
Not really, although I haven't filled up at a supermarket in about 4 years now. I know there's no proof of their fuel being any lower quality, but I just don't want to take the risk! Besides, I live 300yds from a 24hr Esso station, and there are 2x 24hr BP stations within 2 miles! It goes so far on a tank that I can always plan where I'm going to fill up, and don't need to stop at the first available garage after the light comes on. Mind you, I am filling it up 3 or 4 times a week!
>>my father in law is about to take delivery of an Octavia L&K hatch
Lucky fellow! My Classic doesn't have any of the toys his will come with.
hi everybody
can anyone help me to connect my c/locking to my alarm ???
the alarm is factory fit (scorpion) and i have been told that there is already a interface with this the c/locking kit is also from vw i have fitted the mechanical side of it just some help needed with the wiring side if poss ???
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Looking around all cars seem to have their problems, but is it the high volume cars that a bad reputation and is it deserved ? Read more
Just my 2 bobs worth, but i bought a vectra 3 years ago with 106000 on the clock. It had a FSH, & price was quite good. Being a taxi driver i do cover quite a few miles. I am now on 215000 miles. The car has \"never\" let me down & still starts first time, without having to crank n crank the engine. Turn the key & within couple turns it\'s up n running.
Yup definately a nice car.
Ahh, the dealers? Well i wont give ya 2 bob for them. I am experiencing at the moment a lack of power top end & will not rev over 4k. Took it to main dealer & after them having it \"ALL DAY\" not only can they not fix it? They dont even know what\'s wrong with it.
Just this week, i\'ve had a lower hose and top hose go on it. One was £6.70 other was £8.90. \"NEITHER\" of these parts were in stock from 4 main dealers. £6.70 one took 2 days for them to get & the other was 1 day. Disgusting!!! A main dealer not stocking parts of this nature!!!
Sorry, but i never gonna buy vauxhall again. Just because of the \"HOPELESS\" dealers. Not because of the car...
Paul...
Cheshunt
Dear Backroomers
I sometimes see the above as a warning notice on large lorries. Could somebody tell me what characteristics I should be looking out for.
Regards
John Read more
And he does not have to go so far out to make a sharp left turn.
Do any of you good people out there know how to remove the glovebox lock from a 92 (J) Cavalier. I've replaced all the other locks that came in the kit, but I'm b*****ed if I can figure out how to remove the glovebox one.
There's a "dimple" on the inside of the glovebox lid which looks to be directly behind the lock, but I'm not sure if it's significant.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Darren. Read more
Three weeks ago I purchased a 1994 460 Volvo from a local independant Volvo dealer. A week or so ago my wife reported a problem with the brakes.They were spongy and occasionally the car travelled forward quickly whilst stationery (in driveits an auto). I reported the problem to the garage who agreed to look at it last saturday morning. I drove the 20 or so miles OK and the guy had a look at the ABS electronically and said it was probabaly the master cylinder seals and he would source a part this week and fit it this Saturday under warranty.
On the way home I was approaching a roundabout on a busy A road at around 35/40 mph and the brakes jammmed completely at the top. I was unable to avoid another motorist on the roundabout struck her a glancing blow to the offside door and wing and careered off at speed down a side road and into a metal post. The airbag inflated and the car is now a write off. Neither the other driver was injured nor myself but I am now faced with a fault claim on my insurance history and likely increased premia. I need to source a new car quickly and until the insurance company settle my wife deos not have a car as no courtesy car is available as the car will be written off.
I am minded to see the positives here ie no one was injured it was me rather than the wife and young boys who were in the car when it happened etc. I think that to some extent the garage acted in good faith ie if they had thought there was a serious problem with the brakes they would have done something more about it but I do not see why I should suffer from the whole sorry affair and am wondering whether to resort to more formal legal redress or whether there is a commercial discussion to be had with the garage as I would consider buying a vehicle off them again.
All views welcome !
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Ok, can we all calm things down now, before further disagreements break out.
--
Dynamic Dave
Back Room Moderator
mailto:dave_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
does anyone have any idea why my mini runs on when i turn the ignition off? it doesn't do it every time but it does puzzle me.also my battery (which is brand new) often goes flat, the alaernator has been rewound etc.. pumping out 14 volts but when i test the connection to the starter solenoid it only shows 12.3v which i think is not enough to charge the battery, aconnected problem i have is that my headflights are quite dim i have no comparison so it may just be mini lights
if any on e can help with any of these problems i would be very grateful
thanks Read more
running on is likely to be caused by incorrect fuel mixture (too weak)..If the car has a SU carb locate the adjuster nut and the lifter pin on the base ..one of 3 things should happen when you lift the pin at idle
1.Revs momentarily rise then drop back (mixture set ok)
2.Revs Drop (too weak)
3.Revs Increase (too rich)
regards
steve
Browse
Not many cars have speedo cables these days. There are usually complications in disconnecting speedos, so the answer is probably 'no'.
Manufacturers often give the facility to reset odo to zero after car is delivered. There are restrictions on how many times it can be done and from what mileage.