January 2005

Dave N

I got flashed by what I think was a truvello camera the other day. It was a camera that faced me, with a small number of closely spaced white lines on the road. Thing is though, I thought truvellos used an infrared flash that isn't visible, which is why they can face you. But this one was clearly visible, in fact it was quite startling especially as it was late afternoon. Am I correct in thinking it was a truvello, and is it right that they flash in your face? Read more

Thommo

I think my sarcasm was too subtle for Lucien so I'll be more specific.

Whenever the issues of tax cameras comes up someone starts banging on about about speeding and running down children. Why running over a child is worse than a granny or even a middle aged man I am not sure but anyhow...

IF the tax cameras were all located in areas where it was even likely that children would be mown down then I feel sure that no one on here would opbject but they are not. By their nature such places are urban and speeding is not usually possible and thus the tax cameras would not generate enough wonga. They are mostly located in areas where the roads are wider, clearer and speedng is possible or even likely. Sitting here thinking about it I can not recall seeing even one camera placed outside a school or hospital, there must be some but I bet not many. I can however remember them being placed on a clear stretch of a brand new dual carriageway (how can a new road be deemed dangerous before its even opened I wonder?).

That is why we are all so negative about them and why I now sigh when someone starts on about 'won't we please think of the CHILDREN' (copyright The Simpsons) because its just a cynical ploy to justify an additional tax on motorists whilst at the sme time doing nothing about bad driving and inapproriate (but legal) speed in urban area which actually can harm children!

tucks

I drive a 53 plate Rav4 i find parking distances difficult to judge i am considering having a sensor fitted .Are they any good? If yes what make /model is recommended
Your comments appreciated

tucks
Read more

madf

I've got aa Yaris.. which is easy to reverse. I fitted parking sensors which make it easier.. and warn iof someone walks past you at the rear - when reversing - happens off in car parks...

...

MrsH

Hi Guys,

Just bought a 'V' reg Vauxhall Club estate back in October, it was a dream compared to our 1980 polo.

A few weeks back the light pinged up on the dash board which by looking in the manual states our ''belt tensioners or airbag systems'' may be faulty. It says in the manual to get this checked by a Vauxhall garage, but then it would say that wouldn;t it.

Any reason why this light would just pop up and can it be fixed ourselves, my dad would be able to do it with some guidance.

Any clues?

Many Thanks Read more

scotty

I recently had my Omega checked on a Tech II and had the steering assist adjusted. Cost about £25 at Vx dealership. Last time I had this warning light up on a Vectra, the problem was a failed ECU which was quite expensive to replace(can't recall exact price but I think it was > £100). Hope yours is just the wiring under the seat because I know that can be the cause. Don't store stuff under the front seats - that's the advice from Vx.

Slice

Suspect I'm not going to like the answer to this one, but here goes.

The 300Tdi engine on my Discovery (127,000 miles) has suddenly developed a raging thirst for coolant - about 1 litre every 70 miles or so.

There are no visible leaks that I have been able to find and there are no obvious symptoms of a blown head gasket - no white smoke, no water in the oil. The head gasket was replaced and the head skimmed about 11,000 miles ago just before I bought it.

Finally, even after it has sat for 24 hours, on removing the pressure cap, the system is still pressurised.

Read more

Peter.N.

The reason you can't find a leak is because the pressure in the cooling system is blowing the water out of the overflow or filler cap, if you look around that area you will probably find signs of dry antifreeze.

Hugo {P}


****** This thread is now closed. Please see Volume 64, which is here:- ******

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=28864


In this thread you may ask any question for which you need help, advice, suggestions or whatever.

It does not need to be motoring related. In fact, in this thread it should not be.

No Questions About PC's. They now go in another Thread.
No politics
No Speeding, speed cameras, traffic calming
No arguments or slanging matches
Nothing which I think is not following the spirit of the thread
Nothing that risks the future of this site (please see the small print for details www.honestjohn.co.uk/credits/index.htm )

Any of the above will be deleted. If the thread becomes difficult to maintain it will simply be removed.

However, as has been said a couple of times, there is a wealth of knowledge in here, much of which is not motoring related, but most of which is useful.

This is Volume 63. Previous Volumes will not be deleted,

A list of previous volumes can be found here:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=18847


PLEASE NOTE:

When posting a NEW question, please "Reply to" the first message in this thread, i.e. this one. This keeps each question in it's own separate segment and stops each new question from getting mixed up in amongst existing questions. Also please remember to change the subject header.
Read more

Badger

PS. You can get locking scarts (and other stuff) at cpc.farnell.com/jsp/home/homepage.jsp . I'm lucky enough to have CPC's trade counter locally.

Question VW Golf Relays
Peter D

I am trying to identify a relay I recent repaired that was causing his car to completely cut out. It is Relay 30 on a P plate 1.6 golf. I've searched my VW ETKA parts Catalgue without luck. Any help appreciated. Regards Peter Read more

Peter D

Thanks for that I found the fault by tapping it but was not sure what it was controlling Thanks Guys. Regards Peter

Adam {P}

Hi all,

Before I got my car, it belonged to my Dad and started groaning. Turned out to be a rear wheel bearing and has been fine. However, it's started doing it again and I just want to know a) Could it be a wheel bearing or something else (are they replaced in pairs) and b) If it is a wheel bearing, what price am I looking at?

Car info: Ford Focus Saloon 1.8 Ghia.

Many thanks,
--
Adam Read more

Adam {P}

***UPDATE*****

Hello all - I said I'd update you and here I am. Discs and pads are now on. Bit of a hairy experience as they have to bed in but it shouldn't take too long.

Can I just thank everyone who posted? Your advice is, always very much appreciated.

I love it when a problem is all done and dusted!

Thanks again!
--
Adam

daveyK_UK

Is their still any direct insurance company salvage sales?

who are the cheapest salvage firm around?
(ie, cars are good price and buyers fees are low)

Read more

daveyK_UK

Anyone add to this?

Brummig

I have a B-reg Renault Clio 1.2 Authentique, 19k miles. Normally I turn the ignition key to the point where the dash lights come on, wait for most of them to go out, turn the key another notch, and the engine fires almost instantly. Sometimes when I turn the key the extra notch the engine just turns and turns but wont fire. If I'm lucky then turning the ignition off and repeating the starting procedure will cause the engine to fire normally. Sometimes I have to try this several times and eventually the car will start as soon as I turn the key that extra notch. If I'm unlucky (which has happened about four times since I bought the car), the engine simply will not fire and I have to find alternative transport. However, if I then try the car an hour or two later, then it will start immediately as if nothing had ever happened. Cranking the engine continuously does not get the engine started - I have to turn the ignition off and try again. I've tried both keys, pressing the blip with the key in the ignition to resync the immobiliser, and locking an unlocking the doors, with no effect. It makes no difference if the engine is hot or cold.

My first thought was the immobiliser, but (a) the big round red dash light goes out every time as normal (it flashes rapidly if the key isn't recognised) and (b) the immobiliser wont allow the engine to turn when immobilised (I've checked). However, once the car starts there are no running problems at all, so it must be something that only affects starting.

The garage can't find anything. Anyone got any ideas? Read more

Brummig

By a weird coincidence I just happened to be looking this up again two days after new posts on it! Apologies for not posting the results, but the very nature of the problem meant I couldn't post the result quickly.

The answer is yes and no. The car was under warranty, so I just printed out this thread and asked the garage to replace the crank shaft sensor. So far all has been OK, but I've no idea if it it was a connector fault, a sensor fault, or a sensor which was not mounted correctly. However, it looks easy to replace and I understand it is a relatively cheap component, so it's worth trying. Moreover, although I don't know what technology this sensor uses, I do know what was used when I used to work in the automotive business. In the case of that technology the output voltage is proportional to speed (though it is frequency that is measured), so a dicky sensor may well work perfectly as soon as the engine starts and there is sufficient voltage to allow the ECU to measure its frequency.

puntoo

The wife said that she went past a mobile roadside tax disc camera today in essex.

Problem was the tax disc ran out on the 31st Dec 2004.

I purchased the tax disc yesterday, but forgot to put it in until I got home from work today.

Am I likely to get a fine ? How do these things work ? Read more

martint123

Until all MOT stations are computerised, then they still have no central record of MOT's for all cars.
I'm not sure the ANPR vans are checking insurance yet either. The sooner the better though.

Martin