September 2003
Hi
I wonder if anyone else has had this problem.....
THe engine Management Light on my V reg Corsa comes on intermittently all the time. Doesnt matter what speed I do, whether I\'m braking, etc.
I\'ve taken the car 3 times to a PLP Vauxhall garage and had it put on the computer, each time have been told that no fault was found except maybe due to over using the cigarette lighter (?). Im a smoker but not in the car that much of the time to over use it! Anyway the cigarette light no longer works, but I still have the fault.
I noticed that my car also has started leaking a little oil. I\'ve been checking oil constantly, etc. Engine Management Light still on intermittently but battery light flickers on occasionally (not oil light).
Electrical fault??
I\'m trying to get it back into the garage but have been told cant get appointment for another week.
Can anyone help??
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..looks just like mine did two days ago. Yes, I suffered the ubiquitous coilpack failure. The car is an August 2001 model.
It was annoying but fixed same day under warranty at Bournemouth SEAT who were fantastic (I didn't buy the car there). In fact they replaced all four coils with no hassle and ferried me to and from the station to get to work etc.. Really good service.
So if your 20Vt engine fails in this manner, make sure that your SEAT garage replaces all 4 coils so you don't suffer multiple inconvenience. They will do it. Same should apply to A3's, Golf's, Passats, Toledos, Bora's, Superb's etc...........
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I understand that some dealers will do all four and others just the one. I think as long as they will get paid for the work from the warranty company, they'll do all four. If you have a look at www.seatcupra.net you'll see lots of discussion about peoples coil problems and this includes lots of examples of people, like me, who have had all four replaced without hassle. You should expect this level of service too I think.
As I said, if you make a stand and back it up with examples, you should be able to get the lot replaced when it happens to you. SEAT customer assistance is 0500 222222 and they are helpful.
I really don't see why customers who have paid thousands of pounds for their cars should be expected to suffer up to 4 individual failures in order to get the damn things replaced. Its not on.
I do a reasonable amount of miles in my 406HDi (>20k pa), so I am conscious of the need to keep the car in good fettle by attending to its every need.
Anyway, I have recently discovered Express Fit by Peugeot. I know that several people here recommend them as they are main dealer linked and cheap (doesn't happen often), and I've taken my car there three times now. First for a timing belt change (£120.00), second for an oil and filter change (£24.99) and today for a service. The cost was £158.00 all in for their standard service for cars 3+ years old, and:
New front offside Continental
Tracking
Balancing
Change of brake fluid
In my view that's pretty damn good, and better than taking my car to a back street garage with an element of the unknown.
As garages generally get a bad press, I just thought I'd attempt to balance things out.... Read more
Darn it, DB,
For a moment there I had thought it might be ok to simply take you to a main Peugot dealer for your sustenance when you visit, rather than actually cook for you.
Ah well....
HF
I have recently bought an LX Turbo Diesel Escort with 115k miles from a relative. Very pleased with the car as it returns up to 54 miles to the gallon cruises very well on the Motorway and has been very reiable. Also having had a spell on public transport for 4 years "any" car is a bonus. Recently, it has let me down when cold starting. Having not owned a diesel before and not having the owners manual i am not sure whether there is a genuine fault or its my starting technique i.e. never touch the pedal on a diesel hot or cold or give the glow plugs 2 turns on the key when cold etc etc. I would like to try and cure this myself before trying Ford or a diesel specialist so i suppose a good start would be the glow plugs. Is it simply a matter of disconecting the power wire from the plugs and putting a meter across each one and checking for minimal resistance or should they come out? The one on the right hand side looks like hard work.
Regards Kevin Read more
Some diesels(including earlier Fords) tell you to push the accelerator to the floor whilst cranking.
I've got a 1996 A4 where the turn indicator fails to blink sometimes. I think it always stays in the on state on happens when indicating left and right. All the bulbs are working. I assume it is a dodgy actuator. If so, where is this located please? Read more
Okay, I bought the Haynes manual. The flasher relay is located behind the hazard button. You carefully prise off the button and then pull out the relay.
I did this, opened up the relay, identified why it was sticking and rectified the problem.
I think that's more than paid for Haynes!
Yesterday I bought a set of new front wipers for my 1996 A4 from Euro Car Parts for about £19. They are the genuine Audi part (8D1 998 003) with notes on the box in several European languages.
When I tried to fit them I found that they would only latch into place on the wiper arm if turned upside down on the screen. Clearly they are supplied in continental orientation. I ended up unclipping the latch from the wiper assembly and reversing it. I assume this is what you are supposed to do - I didn't see any mention on the packet. If you don't do this the wiper assembly could wiggle off the wiper arm in due course. My previous wipers would latch either way round.
I guess this is obvious to you mechanically minded people but I thought I'd mention it, just in case.
BTW, pleased with the wipers - wish I'd replaced them ages ago. Read more
Could someone let me know where i standhere.
i had an accident, i was responsible, i hit the car in front.
her car has been written off (14 year old car) my car has got about £1k worth of damage.
im fully comp, i phoned my insurance company (i have been with them for about 8months now) to report the accident.
though one thing has been really bugging me, about 3 months ago i got 3 penatly points for speeding, but at the time i didnt report it to the insurance company.
now with this accident im making a claim, but i need to know will go ahead ? ie will they pay up even though i didnt tell them about my 3 points? Read more
I'm insured with Elephant and they SPECIFICALLY say in their T&Cs and FAQs that you DON'T have to advise them about any endorsements until renewal.
I agree with the last comment...£21 premium increase for every 3 points...yes please...where do I join?
More like £21 for 3, £210 for 6, £1210 for 9.
By the way...I now now how one particular insurance company gets it's name...their quotes are considerably "more than" anybody else's, if you get my drift....my current insurance (me age 34 with 6 points on mine, her 36 with 3 points on hers, class 1 business use, 2003 Galaxy tdi ghia, 40000 miles per annum) was £690 with Elephant, but over £2000 with them...
I picked up my new P reg Audi A4 (for SWMBO) the other day and am really pleased with it. However the boss has one complaint about manual rear windows.
Is it easy to retro fit electric rears and how much is it likely to cost?
All help/views appreciated. Read more
but they now employ two methods for safety...
a drivers lockout switch to prevent the rear windows being
used, and "pinch" sensors,
Now?? My 1984 Mk2 Cavalier CDi had those options as standard.
Clearly Mazdas are reliable. Before I try for myself, anyone able to report on model 6 driving impressions e.g. smoothnesss of transmission, build quality, ride, handling and mpg, pse? And do they have reach-adjustable steering?
thanks
EH Read more
I live in a very hilly country district. When it snows it is generally very little, maybe an inch, but it quickly gets hard packed. Then you either leave your car at home or wherever it was when the snow began. The only car I've owned which is really at home in all conditions is the Legacy. Also, it is very big in the rear, and when I garden for other OAP's it can take all of my garden tools and many bin bags full of rubbish to the tip.
I see the latest Warranty Direct reliability index has just been published. Some surprises there. But it is interesting to see how the cars are rated. The figure they come up with is a measure of number of breakdowns and the cost of them. Thus Subaru don't do too well because although they rarely breakdown, the cost of repairs is high. Conversely, Fiat break down much more but have a lower repair cost and come out as a better bet.
Personally, I'd much rather have a car that breaks down once a year and costs £1k to fix, than a car that breaks down 5 times at £200 each time.
And is the sample from WD truly representative?
Any thoughts? Read more
vOn, I agree with you 100%.
Bear in mind though that WD published the index solely for the purpose of generating publicity and it has achieved this, so top marks to them for initiative.
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Could also be the alternator on its way out, that causes funny ecu/ABS/other warning lights on vauxhalls