Hi guys. I recently bought a second-hand 306 1.6 Auto (V reg. 2000), and it's performed like a dream up until recently. The EMU/ECU light keeps "flickering" on and off and on occasion, when I come to a stop, the engine will stall.

Today, things got markedly worse still as I when I accelerated, the car changed through the gears fine, until it got to changing from third to fourth (top in this auto). At that point, the gearchange would happen fine, but the accelerator seemed to stop responding, causing the car to slow down on the gearbox until it's revs dropped enough to force it to change back into third gear (which it did with quite a large jerk). This repeated several times on the journey, so I stopped off at my local Peugeot dealer for a quick (and free :o) analysis. I was told that the coil needed replacing along with the EMU/ECU - a total of about 600 quid + VAT.

However, I've read on here (and on other places on the web) about other people who have had similar engine rev problems and in their cases, the problem was down to a stepper motor (seems to be the most common) or a thermistor in one case.

Has anyone got any ideas as to whether or not the garage is telling the truth? Or are they just trying to rip me off (I suspect that this is not the case as they told me that the previous advice from another Peugeot dealer - that the baffles in my exhaust were gone - was a load of "cobblers").

I'm not too worried about the cost to be honest as I have a warranty that *should* cover both items (if only the warranty office was open outside of Mon-Fri 9-5 - don't they realise that people still drive their cars at the weekend?)

Any help/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm not too hot when it comes to car maintenance - computers yes, cars no :o(

Thanks in advance,

Adam Read more

I have just purchased a brand new Rav4 from a main Toyota dealership in Kent and the gearbox is giving cause for concern. It is a less than smooth transmission into second gear from first and there is a variety of clicks and squeaks when driving the car. I bought the car on 30 September and within a fortnight it was back at the dealer being investigated. I took it, at their suggestion, for a second opinion and two Toyota mechanics have voiced their concern. The delaer from whom I bought the vehicle has resisted calls for a refund or new vehicle claiming it is under warranty, but this is still unacceptable as the faults were there from the beginning. Their repairs would invlove stripping the gearbox which requires the engine to be removed!!

Am I right in thinking that under consumer law I can demand a refund or replacement vehcile? What would others do?

SeanC Read more

Just to let you all know of a piece of legislation that is
passing through Parliament that could affect your wallet.

From 30th November this year if you do not renew your Excise
Licence pronto or declare SORN then the Powers That Be are going to hit you with an EIGHTY POUND surcharge (40 notes if you pay early)

www.tinyurl.com/t8a6

Commiserations pdc your hobby up the spout?

DVD Read more