June 2005
A while back the heater fan motor packed up, it was running Ok on high speed and just stopped, all I get is a click from a relay somewhere under the dash when it's switched to the high position. Yesterday the engine overheated in traffic as the cooling fan failed to work. There is no power to the heater motor or the radiator sender connected to the cooling fan. I've checked the two fuses covering the heater motor and switch - power on each side of them, and the separate cooling fan fuse which also covers the horn, is Ok. Are the two faults linked, or just a coincidence, and can anyone help ? Read more
Who has precedence or right of way on pedestrian crossings?
Well it's obvious isn't it? - pedestrians of course. Before we go any further, I am talking about non-light controlled crossings; what we used to call zebra crossings I believe.
The reason I pose this question is that of course I give way to pedestrians walking across a crossing. My question concerns cyclists riding across crossings - do they have the right of way? I suggest not.
This afternoon, coming out of Kingsto on the Portsmouth Road, a cyclist rode out onto the crossing, as I saw him approach the crossing on his bike, I didn't automatically afford hin precedence, he continued riding onto the crossing. I stopped before reaching the crossing and without coming into contact with the cyclist.
He seemed to think that I was going to keep going and for 30 seconds or so, stayed on the crossing making gestures, signs and mouthing rude remarks.
Who was in the right, him or me?
Don Read more
"Even if a pedestrian crossed against the red man, wouldn't give you the right to mow him down. Wouldn't give you the right to mow down a cyclist."
Absolutely true.
HOWEVER, if you were unable to stop in time when they did this, and ended up mowing them down, it is then not your fault, as you did nothing wrong.
My personal concerns are that on these 'pseudo' crossings that are currently popping up everywhere, mostly in order to direct cyclists and/or pedestrians across the road and back onto the off-road cycle path they were using, if they do choose to cross in front of a car, they are effectively crossing 'against the red man' - although they may not realise it.
Therefore if someone crosses the road on one of these, and i am unable to avoid hitting them, then it is still not my fault.
I'm looking at buying an old car (10 years plus) and Looking at the car adverts I'm occasionally coming across cars from traders which are inexplicably a couple of hundred quid cheaper than those in other trade ads and are advertised as "To clear", but seem to be described as being in good condition, even with average to low kind of mileages.
Now looking at these dealers it is obvious they are selling cars on average of at least 2 grand upwards so is it really feasible you would get such a bargain from a trader because they want to get rid of the part exchanges off their forecourts or should I be more suspicious??
The only other time I heard such sales patter was at "deleted" in London a few years back and in that case it was definately pink fluffy dice as the car was a complete state.
{Franco, you're new here, so you *may* not be aware of our no swearing & no naming/shaming policy. Next time it happens though, I shan't be so generous to edit - instead I'll simply delete. DD} Read more
Hmmm, so he just needs to hope it goes OK for a few weeks and the driver doesn't get injured in a crash because of bad breaks or something. It sounds like there's still a lot a dodgy dealer could do to hide faults while staying within the boundaries of safe and "merchantable quality".
Got a parking ticket (My fault, was in such a rush to get toa solicitor appointment it totally slipped my mind to get a ticket!) First time for everything, I guess.
I just want to know if there's a way to make it as difficult as possible for them - they can damn well earn that £30... Read more
How about not paying, not attending court and ignoring the first couple of attempts by the bailliffs to recover the money. Would that do it for you?
Or you could just pay it.
Rule 186.2 (b) applies. Thread locked for being total horlicks.
No Do$h - Alfa-driving Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
Guys,
Quick question:
Am I right in thinking the 2.2litre engines found in the last generation E39 and current E60 5 Series and 3 series (520i and 320i) are chain driven and therefore do not need a cambelt change?
I have just bought a 2001 520i with 60k on the clock and 1 service light remaining, so thought I'd check this out before the next service.
Cheers. Read more
I thought for a glorious moment you ment the car was chain-driven, like those old monsters with enormous open chains driving the back wheels. Wasn't Parry-Thomas killed at Pendine when a chain broke and decapitated him?
Tried to email this to HJ direct from his on-line Telegraph column this week, but the system confused my computer.
Answering one guy, HJ once again insisted that left-foot braking is best when driving an automatic because, as I understood it, autos cover more ground during an emergency stop situation as the drive is not disconnected instantly and a left foot straight on the brake is faster than moving the right foot from the accelerator to the brake.
Here's what I tried to send him. Have I been getting it wrong for 23 years?
'Sorry to have to take issue with you HJ but I really can't let you get away again with your assertions about the best way to drive an automatic.
I have owned and driven automatic cars for nearly a quarter of a century and have never ever attempted to left-foot brake. I think trying to adapt from manual transmission to drive in this fashion must be the cause of many accidents, particularly in the case of elderly drivers.
Do you actually drive autos much yourself? I have owned auto and manual cars at the same time and have never had any trouble switching between them (usually during the same day) by driving the auto right-foot only.
I don't believe there is anything in what you say about vital time being lost by shifting a foot from accelerator to brake rather than bring another foot into play - surely this must take just as long? A footrest may be at least the same distance from the brake pedal as the accelerator.
I also believe that someone left-foot braking in a panic may be inclined to stab down hard on the accelerator as well.
And - automatic gearboxes (at least the ones I have owned) freewheel when not under power so the simple act of taking the foot off the accelerator instantly disconnects the drive as braking begins.
Best wishes anyway...'
Read more
However, the best bit which was not quoted my Manatee is.....
"I never get involved in arguments when driving is the topic, because this is the only subject in the world where everyone is an expert."
Says it all really.
I'm looking for advice on which smallish cars (1.2 to 1.4 litre) for under a grand, around 10 years old or more years old offer a good bit of legroom for someone who is 6ft 5 and very long in the legs.
The only car I know for sure which I drove years ago was a Vauxhall Corsa although it might have been just that model of Corsa as other tall people I've spoke to have had a different experiences with the Corsa.
Other cars I'm thinking of are the Astra and Seat Ibiza. If I have to I will consider going for a 1.6. I was thinking in that case of a Mondeo or Orion, but when I had a Sierra years ago even the legroom in that wasn't long enough. After driving for more than 20 or 30 minutes it kind of leaves the knees sore. Read more
Thanks for those, guys. I'm feeling spoiled for choice with all those suggestions. The only one I'd miss out on is the Renault. My dad always advised me against them as he reckons some jobs that should be simple are hard work and cost a lot more on Renaults.
I have just followed an elderly lady for several miles in side roads. Most of that journey, she and I were the only moving vehicles in sight but there were lots of parked cars and skips.
Every time she approached a parked car or skip, she signalled right.
It got a bit tiresome, since she was only signalling to me and I could see what she was going to do anyway.
In fact, it could have been counter-productive since she eventually did make a right turn off the road and if I had been closer and just assumed that it was another 'overtake' there could have been some sharp braking or worse.
Anyone think all that signalling was correct/necessary? Read more
A rather different kind of signal is nearly always given by drivers joining from a slip road. This seems to me to be quite unnecessary - there is no possible alternative manoeuvre, and usually it seems to mean 'make room, I'm coming in'. I suppose it might draw a little attention to the vehicle, but otherwise a waste of effort?
First UK race September at Brands. I assume its being televised.
Does anyone have any interest in this? Do you think it will be a success? Read more
Another point the local team is the Great Britain team. I would imagine only the English will buy in to this and even then less than an England team. Think they would have been better off with an England team.
Thanks to all those who helped with the lack of power on my 306 D Turbo. Have looked at and checked all the thing suggested and I am now kicking out a few extra Bhp. Only got to see the Derv Doctor now for the final touch.
Now to the missus car, problems are:
Valance lights operated by column switch, not functioning
Electrostatic crackle in speakers when turning ignition on
Tempermental clock
Cabin fans not working
Sunroof wont tilt
Dash lights (instrument cluster) flicker.
I think thats all of the problems, Now I know that this sounds like a faulty earth, but where is is located? I have cleaned up what i believe to be two in the engine compartment near the battery tray. This may be of some help for advice, when you push the cigarette lighter in the clock dims and brightens.
Any Ideas?
Thanks Again for previous help and lets see if we can kick this one into touch aswell.
Dan. Read more
I don't know if this is relevant but I had an 'L' reg 306 diesel turbo. It had a manufacturer's recall to rectify a "faulty wiring loom". I think it was something to do with various wires being the wrong thickness.
Browse
Steve, thanks for help. The two faults were unconnected. It turned out that the permanent live feed to the cooling fan motor was broken (corrosion). The temp sensor must be connected to a relay which earths the fan motor. The heater fan, as you suggested, failed due to a faulty resistor. For the time being I've bypassed the resistor and now have a fan working at full blast or not at all.