January 2005
How do you change indicator stalk, do you have to remove steering wheel (containing airbag)? Read more
Looking at the fascinating material on here about sat nav, I am wondering why prices vary so widely.
The wide interest in the Aldi promotion suggests that most here find the bottom end of the market -- and I refer to price only -- quite acceptable and seem perfectly happy with a PDA-based setup or a TomTom.
However, a friend has just shelled out the cost of three or four TomToms for a Dayton setup.
Leaving aside the obvious point that the 'pocket' systems are more easily transferable -- and any after-market system is removable anyway -- just what do the Dayton, Bosch, Siemens, Navigon, Magelllan etc., all the upmarket stuff, have going for them that a PDA or TomTom doesn't?
Or putting it another way -- if money were no real impediment (I wont say 'no object' because it rarely is) what add-on system would you choose? Read more
Hi, I've just bought a Mk3 Fiesta and the front window wipers don't return to the original position when I turn them off, they just stop where they are when I switch them off. Any ideas would be grateful.
P Read more
Hi, I haven't got the wiring diagram with me, but it sounds like it's a similar setup to the Escort. I presume you hear a relay click off just as the wipers come to rest? This is the intermittant relay switching off the 'switch' (as oppose to 'ignition') feed to the motor. This (I think) indicates that the switch which senses whether the motor is returned to it's position is working.
You'll have to (or get someone to) check with a multimeter whether there is an ignition feed to the motor, and whether all the other wires are working correctly.
Company Passat (TDi130 SE) goes back in June so we can juggle our car arrangments. If the Mrs has the "family car" then I should be able to get my hands on a 406 coupe - the car of my (limited) ambitions for some time.
Would appreciate any advice and suggestions as to what to go for / what to avoid / problems / where to buy etc etc. Any ownership experiences (good and bad)? With luck I should have a budget of around 7.5k.
Many Thanks.
Read more
Has anyone seen a 406 coupe with any other type of wheels apart from the tiny little things that come as standard? I am not normally the sort of person who likes big shiny alloys, but this car is crying out for a nice set of 17" or something similar.I have only seen them with the standard fit ones.
Still definately one of the best looking cars on the road though, but could be just a bit better with good wheels.
If i was going for one i would have to get the V6 - you only live once!
Hi looked at a 98 R Alfa Gtv 2.0 TS today. Lovely car but when I ran it up the road (v. briefly) I couldn't select 4th gear. 1st, 2nd and 3 rd fine but when shifting from 3rd to 4th it wouldn't slot in. Same situation when stationary with engine turned off but clutch depressed.
So obviously some form of problem with gearbox. Is this common on the Gtv? can it be fixed? at what price? I was seriously considering buying it so luckily i picked up on it at the last minute.
Any advice greatly apprciated.
regards Read more
Hi all,
Whenever i put my motor in reverse the appropriate lights at the back either don't come on at all or take a good while to come on (3 mins i've timed, sad i know!) ... anyone know what the cause of this problem is and how could i resolve it...
thanks for anyhelp
tyrone Read more
Or of course a loose or corroded terminal bulb. Try the painfully obvious first.
Hi
I've got an Escort (1989) whose filler cap refuses to budge, i.e. the key won't turn. I tried a pair of pliers and it just ruined the key!
Any ideas?
It's been getting stiff recently and was on my "things to do" list but I guess it's too late now! Was replaced a few years ago with another Ford cap after the other one started sticking.
Any advise appreciated.
Mike Farrow Read more
Hi all
Well, after plenty of poking, pickling, oiling, forcing and head stractching, I finally took the plunge and bought a new lock. £25 all in from www.gbmparts.co.uk which I thought was good value, especially when that includes a lock built to my Tibbe code, better than Ford dealers could do!
My girlfriend has a 52 plate Diesel Mondeo which she bought from new with a 60k or three year ford warrantee, it's now on 62k miles as she drives so much with work(which of course she claims mileage on), now as it is out of warrantee(but so far has been maintained and serviced by Ford dealers) we don't which is the best way to keep it serviced to maximise the resale value.
We're looking to keep it another 2 years then get a another new one and keep this as a second car.
Should we just find a decent local mechanic or should we stick with the Ford dealers(as you may expect v. expensive but this car only needs a service every 12.5k miles)?
Any help as always will be gratefully received Read more
Depends on the Ford dealer; of the two in my area, one is so useless I would not take a bicycle there, the other is OK but expensive. I actually go to the local tyre shop for anything technical, because the mechanic is ex BL and ex Ford competitions dept. Very little foxes him.
I think the competence of mechanics at main dealers is often suspect, because they do not necessarily have the breadth of experience. Sounds a bit funny, OK, but much of the time they are doing routine servicing or warranty work on newer cars and do not get to see what happens on higher mileage cars to the same extent.
Also of course you will be paying £60 - £90 per hour for labour, rather than £30 - £35 at a non-franchised workshop.
AS
Have recently acquired a 1993 (J reg) Mk 3 Astra Merit i with a 1.3 Petrol Engine.
A good little car but has this annoying problem in that the engine cuts out when stationary and ticking over (Usually at traffic lights of something!) Anyway it refuses to start again for a few minutes, but just leaving it for this short time does the trick and it starts and runs fine for a while. Seems to make no difference whether the engine is hot or cold. And I never have any problems when on a run etc. The strangest thing is, this can happen several times in one day and then it might not happen again for a couple of weeks.
The place I've taken it to don't really seem to have a clue what the problem could be. Although they have looked at it on two or three occasions, the fault has not occurred when it's been with them. They have tried blowing out fuel line and cleaning the relay.
I would really appreciate any suggestions as to what to try for the best. I'm not even sure if it is more likely to be a fuel or electrical problem?
Thanks very much
Peter Read more
Don't know if this is any help but I had similar problems on a cavalier. Problem was carb float level.
Hello,
The driver's side passenger door on my '99 Mondeo won't unlock. I've checked for blown fuses and cleaned the electric pin connectors. There is another symptom that appears related: when I lock all the doors by depressing the driver's door lock, no problems. However, when I try to unlock all the doors by pulling the handle out, no luck. The only way to unlock the doors is by reaching across to the front passenger lock and pulling that handle, which opens all the locks, except for the rear driver's side door mentioned above.
Could this be caused by a faulty regulator(s), and if so, on which door? Biggest problem right now is that without being able to open the passenger door it'll be rather difficult to remove the door panel to get to anything. Thanks for your help.
v/r,
Bruce Read more
Browse
"TMC (traffic jams) integration. - is it subscription based with built in systems?"
Nope, you do need a TMC module or input feed from the radio to the sat nav. Its broadcast on the Classic FM frequencies.