July 2003

Godfrey H {P}

My local by-pass has major road works taking place. Now the road is normally NSL so they have put up a 40 mph speed limit. Now, the first time I drove through it struck me that there is only one 40 mph at the start of the restriction and no repeater signs at all over quite a long distance. Here comes the question, does the lack of repeater signs make this temporary speed limit unenforcable? Read more

pdc {P}

Of course they wont be interested. they would rather have the confusion so as to generate more revenue through scameras.

Question Fiesta Splutter
Andrew Velcro

I'm having a bit of trouble with my 1995 1.1 Fiesta. Intermitently i.e one day o.k the other not it splutters and misses when I slow down for junctions e.t.c or generally take my foot off the gas. Does anyone have any ideas? Read more

Andrew Velcro

Andrew

It seems like it just wants to cut out if your not accelerating, it makes the whole car judder. When you stop at a junction it will just cut out unless you rev it. The weird thing is that it is o.k one day and not the other, I don't think it has anything to do with weather conditions.

Any clearer.

Andrew

HisHonour {P}

I understand that we have to have advertisements on this site to pay for it all. But do we REALLY have to have that annoying Audi A6 ad that pops-up all the time? It drives me crazy. Read more

jonesy127 {P}

I’m more than happy to deal with a new pop-up advert, given the amazing user-friendliness of the forum.

I mean, imagine if you couldn’t search effectively, imagine if you had people moaning when your topic had already been posted in the past, imagine if there were ‘admins’ correcting spelling and grammar…;)

Phil I

Channel hopping find TCM showing classic film chase been running for about 1min. (20.13)

Happy viewing Phil I Read more

J Bonington Jagworth

Those who have had to play around with rear disc brakes that have a mechanism to allow the handbrake to pull (push?) them on may be familar with their tendency to stop working properly. Or maybe I've just been unlucky, but has anyone had this happen to their Mazda 323F? Ours is a 1990 GT, and the rear calipers are relatively new, so I'm hoping it will just be an adjustment, but I haven't tackled these particular ones before, and I don't have a manual. Any help/shared experience would be much appreciated.

TIA Read more

J Bonington Jagworth

" when the handbrake is off the operating arms on the calipers are fully returning ready to take the next operation"

That seemed to be the problem. The cable is getting a bit stiff, and the return spring on the caliper lever isn't strong enough to pull it all the way back. Doing it manually and applying a bit of footbrake pressure seems to have clicked the internal adjuster up a notch, and it's all OK now (although I shall have to get a new cable eventually).

Many thanks for all the help. I love the moral support this site provides, too!

AlanGowdy

Further to my thread on Bulbs v LEDs - aren't car companies really conservative in some ways?
It's extraordinary that after a century of motoring the best way to clear rainwater from windows still seems to be by wiping them repeatedly with a thin strip of rubber fixed to a waggling arm.

How low-tech is that?

And yet... can anyone come up with a better/more cost effective modern way of achieving clear wet weather vision? Read more

hootie

I can't honestly remember what mine does, but as I'm in the habit of (how shall I put this in a technical manner?) squirting the water first and then switching the wipers on, it doesn't really matter to me.

I think you've lost me a bit - I just do what I do ... pull lever towards me, water squirts, and then twist to deploy wipers.

Replacement wiper blades annoy me though, especially the ones I had last time - think they must be too cheap and cheerful :(
or I'm just not very good at fitting things

"Appearances can be Deceptive"

GaryJ

Dear All
Hope you can help because I don't really trust Vauxhall dealers! I've got a 1999 Omega 2.0 CDX Automatic estate. I've had it about 6 months and love the car but......... on the digital readout the words "automatic transmission" have appeared twice in the last two days. I've been able to drive the car still albeit at lower speeds and taking things easy. As soon as possible I've stopped, put the gearbox in Park, switched the engine off, then restarted the engine selected drive and the display returns to normal. I've looked in the owner's manuall and, as I suspected, it states that there is a fault and to take the vehicleto a dealer.
What I would like to know is :
1) any idea what the fault could be? Does it need a service? A change of auto oil? A top-up of auto oil? A (heaven forbid!) new gearbox?
2) What are the likely fees charged at the dealer for a diagnostic check?
3) Can anybody recommend a good dealer within reasonable distance to Cardiff? Or a good mechanic also within reasonable distance to Cardiff?
Thanks for your time and any help you may be able to offer, all will be gratefully received,
Gary Johnson Read more

Dynamic Dave

Phil, unfortunately the Omega autobox doesn't have a dipstick or level plug to check the oil level.

Dude - {P}

Have just checked down through the Technical Matters threads on this forum and there are currently 12 listing faults with VAG products. It would seem that the superb reliability of the old Mk1 & 2 Golfs is now but a distant memory. After reading other recent threads on their after sales service as well, it would appear that VAG need to address these concerns PDQ, before their reputation sinks to Fiat`s level. !!!! Read more

Morris Ox

All told, a classic case of a marque not keeping up with its marketing (or the price you pay).

May be the quality and reliability would be more palatable if you paid less. So buy a Fabia instead of a Polo, an Octavia instead of a Golf, a Superb instead of a Passat etc, etc.

Factor in a bit of a reality check, though. Surveys always bring forth statistics. Whether someone would volunteer a problem if they weren't asked about it is another issue.

And I have a (so far) 100% reliable five year-old Passat. Famous last words...

Pete

Can anyone please confirm if the outer lens of the O/S/R light unit for the above, is available separately or does one have to purchase a complete cluster ?
Local Suzuki dealer ( part of a multiple franchise ) seems unable to confirm.
Thank you, petel@clara.co.uk Read more

Disappointed TDI owner

Hi, I am interested if anybody else has had a similar problem to me and what VW's attitude was. My 3 year 4 month old Golf TDI PD(115hp) engine died at 35,000 miles. The cause apparently was fuel leaking from the injector over night. On starting the engine, the con rod under the cylinder which full of fuel bent - as diesel isn't too compressible. After 5 weeks, a new engine and nearly £1,600 I got my car back. This cost was after a 50% contribution from VW. I don't think this is reasonable - it seems like a design fault to me. And from discussions with people who I know at some VW agents it seems this is not a unique case.
Has anybody else suffered the same? and have you got a better deal out of VW? Mine is an import so in theory the warranty was only a year. If I'm not unique a case it maybe something to consider before buy a second hand car with VW 115hp PD engine.
Cheers

Read more

Nortones2

It all depends on whether you (or the courts) believe that the seller is an agent of VW or a separate entity. When you consider buying, the seller and VW would like to make you believe that the seller and VW are contiguous. VW emblems, brochures, support, service standards, advertising, mfrs warranty etc. When you find a manufacturing fault, however, your claim is only against Joe Bloggs, the renter of the site. VW and others should not hide behind an outmoded view of contract law. Would anyone really buy so readily if VW et al did not require the insignia of the corporation to be shot through the sellers premises like the proverbial Blackpool rock? Yes, I know (or did know!) the law of contract in the UK, but thats not necessarily how it appears to the public. Small print is small for a reason. The name of the maker on the dealers premises is ubiquitous and prominent for a reason. Which has more influence when buying? If a duff product is made, the consumer has to jump through hoops to get redress. Mfrg defects are traceable, and known to the company. Unfortunately the individual has to hazard a considerable amount to challenge what is often known in the trade. Fair? Not unless tested in law, which few individuals can afford.