October 2004

Fiesta Fanatic

Hi

Its that time of year, the MOT, and I tested my lights this afternoon only to find out that my only reverse light wasnt working. Of course I naturally assumed that the bulb had blown, so I lifted the boot and took out the light cluster only to be faced with what looked like a perfectly good bulb. To double check this I tested it by swapping it with the brake light and it did indeed work.

Is this a common problem? Is there some well-known dodgy electrics concerning the reverse light on this model?

Tomorrow I will swap the rear plate with the other rear light and test to see of the reverse light will work (assumming the connecters are the same). I also thought it may be the actual fuse for the reverse light but couldnt find it...

Any help appreciated!
TIA. Read more

Pete F

It's quite likely the reverse light switch has failed on the gearbox. Check it using a meter. If it has failed, be very careful unscrewing it as sometimes the switch shears off and leaves the thread in gearbox.

Tony Bee

Why do big cars last longer than little cars ? Read more

Hugo {P}

My take is it makes no economic sense to spend
£1000 on a 12 year old car. Better to flog it
and buy another .
madf


Depends on what type of car it is and why you need to spend the money.

£1000 on an engine re build for a discovery worth some £3000 would be well worth it if it were in reasonable condition otherwise, but you would not want to spend that on a K reg Mondeo.

H
NickG

What do you all think of the result on the following?

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2494...6

SWMBO has wanted one of these for a while, and the closing price seemed better than what I've seen advertised privately.

Did I do well, or not?
Read more

NowWheels

Intrestingly enough I read in a paper recently that Land Rover
will not be buying their next generation of engines for this
model from Phoenix (Rover).


I doubt Ford has any shortage of inhouse engines toi choose from, but even if they had to buy in, can anyone really be sure that Rover will still be making engines in a few years time?
Altea Ego

Bit sad today watching the mechanics wave their car away from its last pit stop in its last f1 race.

well done lads, lot of enthusiasm, and a great deal of style, pity about the speed. Read more

SteveH42

Nice little spoiler there, DD for people watching the highlights or a recording....

FWIW, while Webber was maybe a tad optomistic, he seemed pretty well up with Klien who could easily have avoided the collision had he not been a clueless muppet with more money than driving ability.

(And I'm working on the basis that everyone who is going to watch it will have seen it by now so I'm not going to be ruining anyone's enjoyment)

superstyler

just purchased my dream car, mk1 golf gti 1.8 . someone tell me whats in store !!!! cant wait till next week come on golf owners, share the wealth. !!!!! Read more

Garethj

Good fun to drive, quite sensitive to tyre pressures so check them regularly especially as the alloy wheels might have corroded a bit and be letting the air out slowly.

Keep it standard looking and clean and it's lots of people will smile as they see it, most are modified.

Suprisingly roomy inside for a car that's now smaller than the new Polo! Quite narrow compared to most modern cars too so you can use the whole width of your lane as you press on down the A and B roads the car was made for.

Keep an eye on any rust, the big killer for these cars (other than being crashed from pressing on down A roads, as above...)

Caspar

My 106 Diesel was not starting as easily as it usually does and emitting white smoke from the exhaust for a while after starting so I replaced the glowplugs. I noticed in the Haynes that the glowplug light should stay on for approx 5-6 seconds but mine stays on for about 19 seconds. Is this something I should look in to or just ignore as it starts fine now?
Thanks Read more

madf

SWMBO's takes about 12 secs to go out. If it works, ignore it

madf


Dude - {P}

Interesting article in today`s Sunday Times highlighting the fact that 33% of all car models are too wide to fit into some on-street parking bays.

The minimum legal width as set out in the Traffic Signs Regulations Act 2003 is 180 cms. The new 2005 model Ford Focus for example is 184 cms (compared to the current model at 170.2 cms), and if you include the mirrors 199.1 cms, which is wider than the current BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C Class.

As a fan of the current model Ford Focus, I question whether we need these continually larger vehicles and where will this eventually lead. Manufacturers are claiming it is necessary to provide ever larger crumple zones and more rigid crash structures along with more interior space, but if this trend continues we are all going to end up driving Hummer size vehicles that will not only cause further urban congestion, but will not even fit into the average size garage. Do we need these ever larger models, as I for one think this is bad news for our already congested streets/roads. Read more

No Do$h

>> >> Obviously parking wasn't a part of their buying decision
>>
>> Oh Christ on a bike, will you never stop your
incessant warbling
In the picturebook I had as a kid, the man from
Gallilee wore sandals, which aren't advisable on a bike. But the
Gallilee is a gorgeous place to drive in, esp in March/April
when it's covered in flowers.


Even more spectacular on a bike.
NoDosh, I suggest you take a ddep breath and re-read my
comment. It was in response to a bit of irony
without a smiley, so I replied equally ironically, also w/o a
smiley. Do you really think anyone believes that folks just drive
around in circles all day?


I long since gave up trying to establish what you believe. Your use of smilies is akin to the term "No offence" when employed immediately after some overtly cutting and offensive remark. They have no meaning.

No Dosh - Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
Question volvo v40 gdi
Kam123

I'm changing the drive belt and 'fan'belt on a 1.8 volvo gdi engine. Does anyone know if the tensioner is automatic on this (no owners HAYNES for this particular engine). Also does anyone know what the tension should be?

Appreciate any help.
Read more

SjB {P}

Suggest you register (easy and free) and then post the question in the S40/V40 'Classic' forum at www.volvospy.com/w-agora4/index.php?site=volvospy

Pugugly {P}


**** Thread closed. Discussion continues in Vol 13 ****

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=26737

Back Tonight. Read more

Vincentus

Ever thought why there's no Lexus on that list: ???

www.topgear.com/content/my_topgear/duffers/

Either it's that superb or its owners are so busy they don't bother.

fastlad

Hi got a couple cigarette burn on the driver seat. Any one know of a invisible menders in the liverpool area and what cost?? Read more

Civic8

Not sure whether these people can help?.But worth a try

www.chipsaway.co.uk/repair/trimfix.asp
--
Steve