FRANKFURT (Reuters) Wed 26 May 2004 11:51

- Porsche and Volkswagen have recalled more than 100,000 sport utility vehicles to check potential problems with rear-seat safety belts.

Porsche's recall affects 40,848 Cayenne SUVs, the hot-selling brand it has relied on to bolster sales amid weak turnover for its luxury sports cars.

Volkswagen said separately it was calling in 60,000 of its four-by-four Touareg cars, which are built on the same platform.

This marked the second time this year that the two models faced a joint recall. In February, the German carmakers checked whether a spring in the cars' hand brake had damaged wiring below, posing a fire danger.

In the latest safety move, Porsche and VW will check whether pins that link belt buckles to their anchorages might separate when subjected to vibration.

Porsche said on Tuesday that only about 1,000 of the Cayennes may have faulty buckles and that the cost of providing free inspections would be limited because suppliers would pay most of the expenses.

Quality testing had revealed the problem, Porsche said, adding that no cases had yet been reported by customers.
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Fine choice. Alfa can have no complaints about its public perception while its products continually appear near the bottom of large-scale consumer satisfaction and reliability surveys; the positive experiences of individual owners are good to hear but statistically irrelevant to making an informed buying decision.

The 147 seems to have been a step back from the 156 in the build quality department - a shame, because the styling and engines are great.

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I thought that I knew about most sorts of cameras and Trafficmaster sensors but there are 2 further types appearing recently - can anyone say what they are please?

The newest is a tall straight pole with no box at the bottom and it has 2 large solar panels, mounted below the top, one each side of the pole at about 45 Degs plus it has a very frail looking windwill type fan on it. This is presumably to give it power when there is no sun.

The older type is a similar pole but with an 18 in square and 2 foot high box at the base and a single solar panel mounted on the top.

Both these are only on A roads so far as I have seen and of the newer type there are 2 within 400 yards on the road from the Ram Jam on the A1 thru to Oakham. Read more

I posted on this problem about a year ago, so apologies for bringing it up again. However, the stalling problem at idle is back again and getting annoying.

( see www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=12550 )

The problem is on a Y-plate(\'01) car.

To recap, the problem only happens first thing in a morning - the car is driven down a steep(ish) hill in third, foot off the accelerator for 200yds towards a junction at the bottom. When I declutch on reaching the junction, the engine dies. Upon restarting (and at all other times) the engine never misses a beat.

Last time, the garage re-programmed the ECU, changed the ECU, re-set the throttle assembly up, cleaned the throttle assembly, etc. on numerous visits (5) last summer and the problem seemed to be cured until this week when it\'s started happening again every morning.

Has anybody else had this problem with their 2.2, or know of any possible solution? Unlike last summer, the car is now out of its warranty.

Many thanks in advance. Read more

Vauxhall Omega 2.5 (1995) is cutting out or over revving in first few miles of most journeys (even after being used earlier in the day)when I slow down (e.g. for roundabouts, traffic lights). This is frightening!! Any suggestions as to cause?
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