December 2004
Hi,
Ive just been given an old K-Reg Citroen AX and I went into Halfords to try and get the stereo upgraded. However, due to an odd sized facia (or something) they wont do it.
The stereo (cassette/radio) doesnt actually work and I do want some music in the car as I drive! What do you recommend I do!
Im a Uni Student and this is my first car, so not really sure what to do about the stereo, as apparently the local citreon dealership are a bunch of cowboys.
Thanks
Nick Read more
I have lost the spare remote control (4 buttons) but still have the spare car key. Nissan wants GBP120+VAT for a new remote and programming.
Would I be able to buy a remote for a Nissan QX (4 buttons) from a scrap-yard and re-programme it to work on my car? Before anyone mention about after-market remotes, I do not want to go down that route as I want to keep the car as "original" as possible, though I do not want to expense of a new Nissan remote.
Many thanks,
Gazza Read more
Gazza
Programming a new remote is easy - its on p.EL-259 of the CD-ROM repair manual and is as follows:
Get in the car. Close and lock all doors with the driver's switch. Insert and remove the ignition key over six times in l0 seconds. Do it at a rate of one insert/remove cycle per second. Be sure you completely remove the key each time. Turn ignition to ACC and press any button on the remote once. If the hazards flash twice, it worked! If you want to program more than one remote, unlock and lock the doors again with the driver's switch and press a button once on the next remote.
You can buy a new remote from Courtesy Nissan in Texas for about US$80 (shipping is about $10). Alternatively they come up on the US Ebay site all the time. They usually seem to sell for about $25 (£13). There is one on at the moment here:
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&...3
He wants $6.50 for worldwide shipping.
Very tempted by the local Ford offer of a new C-Max 2.0 Tdci Ghia in silver at £12995. Reports seem mixed -good build quality and nice to drive. Lots of room and well equipped and should be nippy. On the down side the cabin is a bit narrow and I'm told economy isn't great. Has anyone got one of these? Whats do you think? Cheers Read more
I was very impressed with a 1.6Tdci hire car and I normally hate diesels (I guess that bears-out HJ's point about the 1.6 engine).
Cabin seemed wide enough to me.
I run a BMW 530d, fitted with 18 inch rims and Dunlop Sport 245/40 run flat tyres.
Any one had any experience of replacing these tyres? I'm looking for the lowest noise / best ride in spite of the tyres giving a hard ride.
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The reviews seem to suggest its the run flats that are the problem, not the wheel size (although an 18 is always going to give a harder ride than a 16).
I guess they are special rims, so you won't be able to just switch to normal 18 inch tyres. The car mags often run ads for firms that supply wheel and tyre combinations which will probably set you back about £1000 for a decent set of 17s (but at least if you keep the old ones you'll be able to sell the new ones when you get rid of the car).
Good luck - let us know how you get on.
Wonder if this is true from our antipodean cousins.
8< snip 8<
Interesting letter. Shame you didn't remove the foul language before posting it. I can't be bothered editing it, it's far simpler just to delete the lot.
DD. Read more
A question about cruise control that's been puzzling me for some time...
On my Rover75 2.5, I can set the cruise control for 70mph on a nice flat motorway or good A-road, & the engine will quite happily sit for hours at 2,800rpm.
If I go up a very steep, long hill (eg. Lindale hill on the A590 for any fellow Cumbrians), you would think the engine would have to work a lot harder to maintain the same speed.
So, my question is this - why does the rpm not increase at all??
I'm sure it's a really obvious answer!
Neil.
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The first one is right, Humpy, 'cos it includes the exclamation mark.
Hi all
I have asked this questio ona nother forum, but so far no-one has been able to help, so I thought I'd try it here - apologies for repetition.
My friend has an R Reg Clio 1.4, and the driver side windscreen wiper managed to disconnect itself from the mechanism and pivot past the side of the windscreen. There was also a smell of burning, not unlike a scalextric set.
I had a look under the panel where the jack is housed, the linkage from the motor had fallen/popped off the end of the wiper arm. It's fitted via a hard plastic plug that has two protuberances at around 120 degrees apart. This plug fits into a hole with two slots on the wiper arm, where the protuberances on the plug fit into the slots. The problem is that the plug doesn't feel very secure, and prone to jumping off the arm. I was thinking the plug might require twisting to fully locate, as the protuberances would not be over the slots and hence would be firmly fixed, but no matter how hard I tried it wouldn't twist. I thought there might be a circlip or some other fastener, but I can't see where it would go. I can't check the passenger side linkage as it is pretty inaccessible unless I take off the plastic cover, which I'm loath to do as the windscreen rubbers are on it.
Does anyone know how these clips are supposed to be properly fixed? I've put everything together, and the wipers are fine, but it feels insecure, to say the least.
Also, the motor was stinking as the linkage had jammed up the mechanism, it works now but is there any chance of unseen damage that might be problematic later that could be easily fixed now?
All advice gratefully received
Matt Read more
As someone who is fortunate enough to drive to Europe several times a year, I am a bit gutted about paying £8 for a set of headlight deflectors every time, is there any other way of achieving the same job without the expense? (no shoplifting please) Read more
I went to France for a weekend a short while back, and couldn't find the little lever in my headlights that was meant to flatten the pattern to one that is ok everywhere. So I dropped in to the dealership for help.
He showed me the lever but said that new EU regs are that it is not necessary unless you are going to be there for 6 months.
Sounds cuckoo to me, but there you are.
I've recently acquired a V-reg Espace. Nice car, but the stereo is a little weird. Can anyone help me with the following, or point me in the right direction?
- My car has Radio, CD and Aux buttons on the remote control (but not the tape player in the glovebox that some of them have). Can I use this 'aux' to connect eg an iPod? If so, where might I find the relevant wiring?
- The CD changer works fine. But if I try to use the radio the entire dash flashes on and off about once a second, beeping as it does so. Most disconcerting.
Thanks in advance
James Read more
Hi,
At present I have a Ford Mondeo that has been a superb car but I have recently been considering selling this and buying an Audi A4(the older shape). I am put off by reports of the 1.8 snapping timing belts at only 80k and I am concerned about general engine durability. One benefit of the Mondeo is that the Zetec-E engine is very durable and capable of huge mileages. The Mondeo which is a 97 mk2 is especially let down when it comes to bodywork it already has bits of rust on the lower bodywork edges etc.
I am looking for a galvanised body and ‘rock solid’ durability and don’t want any rust issues whatsoever. Is the Audi able to deliver this? Do the general running costs and extra parts costs make it a bad option? I am only looking to spend between £2,000 and £4,000 is the A4 a worthwhile consideration in this price range.
Any opinions or prior experiences would be much appreciated.
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I would not consider this to be a worthwhile change - perhaps a newer, better specified Mondeo for the same money as an old A4 might be worth looking into.
The Mk2 Mondeo is not noted for poor engine durability or premature cambelt faliure, nor rust - if yours exhibits either it would suggest there is something wrong with it, perhaps it has not been properly looked after by its previous owner.
Mine is now on 120k with no signs of rust.
For the money you would spend on an 8 year medium spec A4, you could get a 4-5 year old absolute top of the range Mk2 Mondeo. I looked at A4's prior to the purchase of mine, and just couldn't find anything comaparable without spending much more on it. Obviously, comparing a top spec A4 to a top spec Mondeo of the same age the A4 wins, but same price? Mondeo, thanks.
thanks, Ive been recommended someone who has fitted them before. Will try there.
Nick