June 2003
My Xantia estate (Mk2) has air-con and it has started switching itself on without the dash switch depressed. The light on the dash switch comes on too. I assume it is either a faulty switch or faulty relay. Has anyone experienced this, and can anyone tell me which relay - I could then test to find out which is faulty (or could it be wiring ?). Don't want to strip fascia to get at switch if not necessary.
Thanks
Musicanic Read more
I have a 1984 Capri 2.8i (58k on the clock) in my garage, up on blocks. It has been there for many years. Now and again I think I should really do something about it, but I don't getroundtuit and the car continues to rest in the dry and dark, free of rust, but completely inactive. I suppose I am somewhat intimidated by the prospect of getting it running myself; I'm not technically clueless, but I'm no expert. Am I being too timid or is reviving such a vehicle really a job for the specialist? Read more
The story continues . . .
I've just returned from PTS tuning in Luton, who to some degree are Ford specialists. The verdict on the Capri was that the engine (61.5k) was in remarkably fine fettle, with very low emissions, perfect compression, no valve problems, etc. They were rather apologetic that the only thing on which they had to make a minor adjustment was the spark plug gaps, the whole job taking appreciably less than the allotted hour. Apart from the skill of my mechanic in getting the car up and running again, I make no causal connection with the following, but it is a fact that I routinely use Optimax and the VAG injector cleaner (part number G 001 700 03), in addition to Castrol ValveMaster lead additive. Perhaps it can't be entirely coincidental that my Golf VR6 has drawn similar comments from MOT testers, as it gets the same fuel and injector cleaner.
I'm thinking of buying a nearly new car, and have been told that you can pick up great bargains at auctions.
I have limited mechanical knowledge of cars and am unsure if it's a good idea to buy from an auction. My nearest auction site would be Blackbushe.
Does anyone have any advice/tips on auctions?
Cheers
Chris Read more
I'd have to agree with most of what has been said here, especialy hearing the car started up, and the interesting point about not getting such a huge saving on popular (tradable) motors. Some of the best buys I've had at auction have been on things like Fiats and Rovers especialy towards the end of the sale when most of the serious money gas gone home.
I would advise you to check out stuff like 'red keys' for the models you are interested in, A red Key for an Alfa is gonna cost close to a grand, which takes the shine off your Nearly New Bargain.
The other thing I would say is listen very closely to what the Auctioneer has to say about the lot and read the 'terms and conditions' at the desk.
I buy cars for my business use and Auctions are a wonderfull way of getting your money's worth especialy if you aren't a 'badge snob', the best part is suprising yourself what your going to drive home in. My favourite Auction Is probably Nottingham BCA and the best buys are usualy among those Lloyds Leasline motors.
The Auction is by no means a no-risker but it does offer some consumer protection unlike a private sale which leaves you high and dry. And if worst comes to worst just take your fresh lemon to another sale and some other mug will be as tempted as you and you'll get most of your cash back.
Jolly...
A friend has had the aerial snapped off her J-reg Astra by some kind soul, and has been quoted some astronomical sum to have it replaced. Can anyone suggest any way to either repair or cheaply replace the unit? TIA! Read more
This was why I asked if it was manual or electric. If it was electric, all you do is undo the chrome nut at the base of the aerial, switch on the radio and extract the broken telescopic mast. Drop the nylon rod of the new aerial mast down the hole, get someone to switch off the radio, and providing the nylon rod lines up with the mechanism, the new mast will feed itself in. Finally do up the chromed nut.
My local independent garage has always serviced my 'used' cars to a high standard and at reasonable cost.
I would like to buy a new car and most now seem to come with at least a three year warranty. I would like my garage to continue to look after the new car. Which, if any, new car warranties allow this? Read more
Does this apply regardless of who backs up the warranty, HJ? I'm just wondering if it depends on whether the warranty is a manufacturer warranty (eg Toyota offer 3 years, while Hyundai now do 5) or a "manufacturer plus dealer" arrangement, ie where the manufacturer's 1 or 2 warranty is topped up by the dealer network to bring it up to 3 years.
I'm sure theres a good reason, but why can't you tow an automatic car for any real distance, or bump start one
dominic Read more
Possible that the book is wrong as you said. I think I'll leave it at that!
Steve.
Is there anyone out there who can tell me what the changes are on the Previa face lift?, as Toyota will not say anything
Read more
Do the coil packs on these things inevitably fail early, and it's just a matter of time before they do - or is there a good chance they'll survive to a decent age? (And what would one consider to be a "proper" age for such things?)
I've got a two year old Ibiza Cupra that's done 26000 miles and, touch wood, had no such problems with it to date - but I'm worried that I'm on borrowed time.
It's not a major issue inside warranty, but if all sorts of exepensive horrors are waiting for me in the future, I'd rather get rid of the car before I have to foot the bill.
It seems that the engine suffers from the same failings right across the VAG range, have they fixed it for newer cars (so if I got a brand new Leon Cupra R would I get a better engine?) or is it an inherent design fault?
(Incidentally, the driver's side window did drop into the door the other day though, the dealer's magnificent temporary fix (waiting for the part to arrive) was to pull the window out of the door and stick it in place with three pieces of gaffer tape (and blag to me that they'd braced it underneath).
One rainstorm later and the tape came away, and the window dropped back into the door with a horrible thud. It was blind luck I was in the porch at the time and heard it, otherwise it'd have been sat outside in the pouring rain all night with an open driver's window. I had to run it up to my in-laws and stick it in their garage for the night. The dealer was a little sheepish when I returned the car to him this morning, not looking best pleased.) Read more
LOL - you have to laugh, don't you!
My '96 VW Polo has been broken into for the 4th time in a year and each time there has never been any visible damage or sign of how they got in. I am aware of the door lock/ electric window flaw discussed in earlier threads and exposed by BBC Watchdog, but am unsure if it can affect my car/ model as Polos haven't previously been mentioned. Can anyone help? It's driving me crazy, and I'm hoping to ask my local VW dealership some serious questions when I head there for a service later this week... Read more
I used to own a Saxo - which has a major security flaw around the door locks. Mine was broken into twice, with two bills of £150 to fix the door skin around the lock.
Thieving *£$!^"@? !!
I am going to live in Spain soon, and, sadly, will probably have to part with my 2000V Focus tdi Zetec(49k, ac, metallic etc, & a recipient of HJ's recommended TLC). Apart from its thirst, a joy to own, BUT rhd/UK spec.
I am thinking of a smallish diesel SUV, which is comfortable, not too awful to drive, and will last me for quite a few years. I don't expect to have loadsa money to spend - depends how my UK house sale goes - so we are not thinking of BMW-land(too big anyway)!
Can you folks recommend any of the below:
1. makes/models which meet this 'spec';
2. a website giving Spanish prices; &
3. approx money I should ask for my Focus?
Not much to ask, I realise!!
Thanks in advance.
Roger Read more
Although I share Mark's views about the party political issues, I am not too sure about the value of pound vs euro. See
uk.finance.yahoo.com/q?s=EURGBP=X&d=c&t=2y
for a chart showing how the euro has gained vs the pound over teh last 2 years.
--
eM.Be. {P} #Note: {P} = you can view my profile. Add {P} if your profile is viewable.
Browse
Thanks, Neil. It certainly isn't 'normal' operation, by the way the indicator flickers and the system switches on & off rapidly, but it's another possible source of the problem which I wasn't aware of. I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and strip down the dash - and probably replace the switch anyway. Thanks, again.
John