Experiencing some problems with my 2001 VW Bora TDi 115bhp.

The traction control light stays on, no glow plug light, no fuel pump priming and engine turns over and won't start. When it did start I had "low oil pressure" alarm come on even though there is enough oil in the engine.

I have tried replacing relay "109" which I believe can cause problems but this has made no change.

The AA have plugged in their diagnostic software and there are no errors stored on the ECU. The AA man said he thinks it could be the fuel pump relay which is a multi functional relay which could explain all the other lights.

Before I take in to be looked at does anyone know the whereabouts of the fuel pump relay? Read more

Hi,

My Passat has developed a droning noise as you go through the gears particully around 2000 rev. Once pasted this all is well have had wheel bearings checked & CV joints replaced along with roll bar links but still no joy. Anyone else has this prob? the only think I can think of is maybe exhaust resenance?

Thanks Read more

A member of my car club recently reported that they had received a fixed penalty notice for undersize number plate, whilst the car was sitting in a Tesco car park.

Can this be defended because the car was not actually on public roads?
This question could also apply to underbody neons, driving without seatbelts etc, well all manner of things really. All possibly defendable because "the cars part of a photoshoot for a magazine officer, honest"

Obviosusly this sort of thing has overtones of "croozing, innit mate" but I am strictly interested in the legal side of things, not the antisocial behavoiur side, which is a different offence. Read more

Hi,

Two problems with my 2002 VW Passat PD 130 Sport, which has completed 21,000 miles.

After a heavy downpour I've just noticed the carpets on the front passenger side are very wet and there is clearly a lot of water under the carpet. The problem seems worse on the left hand side of the footwell towards the front. Is this a common VW problem and any ideas where it gets in ......... and how to stop it???

Also I've noticed that if I acceletate briskly, usually 2nd gear to 3rd gear, then change gear while in the 1900 to 2500 rev range the car gives a jerk type reaction not too disimilar to an auto gearbox kicking down suddenly. Its almost as if the engine or turbo pauses for about a second before kicking in again then pulling away normally ..... this didn't happen for the first 18 months I had the car so I don't think its my driving! Any ideas??? is there a turbo problem developing???

Vince Read more

The thread on electrically operated doors has made me wonder whether there is a limit to the range of toys that can be provided for a car.

In theory, every additional toy that is fitted is something else that can go wrong. Thus, there is a trade-off, in that the car is made more desirable by the toy's presence but less desirable in that it may be less reliable and more expensive to repair.

Long ago when cars were basic, the addition of (say) a radio must have seemed unequivocally good in that the benefit was large, the risk small, and if it broke then you were no worse off. Now, the marginal benefit seems to be getting smaller, and the downside of failure might be worse - vide the electric doors (do they have a mechanical backup?).

Anyway, I wondered what toy the BR thought was most pointless, in that its benefit was minimal and the downside risk too great?

My vote is keyless entry systems. Frankly, the extra effort of having to press the plip button on the keyfob is not going to worry me, even in the rain. The risk of it not working and leaving my pride & joy unlocked or (worse!) resolutely locked would worry me more.

Any other suggestions? Read more