January 2006
I have a 99V Passat TDi SE and the rear off-side door is stuck shut.
We have had periodic problems in the past where the door won't shut (as if it can't latch itself) but it has always righted itself, locked and resumed normal service.
At the moment, it won't open. All other doors are working fine, central locking is working fine, external and internal handles are operating properly, so the problem seems to be confined to the latching mechanism itself.
I'm wondering if the problem is related to lubrication, but clearly something that would lubricate it (like WD40) won't get past the seals when the door is shut. And because the door is shut there is no obvious way of removing the internal door casing to get at the mechanism.
If there's a VW specialist out there, I would appreciate some advice on a solution. If there's no alternative but to take it into a garage, what would they do? Read more
Hi all, hope you lot are well. ;-)
Well its that time again, im due to come out of a company car again!
What car shall I get?
I am now a sort of sales person and consultant.
Have no money, but need a decent car to get around and meet clients, create new business.
The wife and I have a Bmw 02 plate cabriolet, which is fantastic car. Love it.
We need a car, which is going to look the part, and would love an auto 320 Bmw coupe bout an 02 plate.
So my dilemma is
Go for the heart = coupe bout £15K
Or the head 51 plate mondeo £3K
We have no money spare really, so I guess it?s the mondeo
But what else is there for around £3000 to £5000
I get 14ppm will be doing around 20K miles a year, so diesel/petrol equation isn?t an option, would go for a petrol. Short journeys, most would be a 40 mile stretch in one journey.
Really want a fast auto that does around 30mpg
Looks the part. Comfy, don?t want an estate. Just a saloon or coupe pref. can get towbar fitted for trailer for rubbish to tip.
we can share the Bmw cab, so as to get the mileage up a bit, and the wife can use this other car as well in the week, I suppose a 4/3 day split. She does around 4K miles a year.
Suggestions please anyone?
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"I am now a sort of sales person and consultant."
If you are only getting 14p/mile you have failed the negotiation skills part of the interview. thats fuel cost.
Why does it need to 'look the part'? If you need to take clients in the car then a coupe is a bad idea, if not then when will they see the car, and will they care ?
If status matters so much, buy the mundano/peugot whatever and slap a private plate on it - I never saw the point myself, Nobody bought anything off me because I turned up in a porsche, nobody didnt buy because I turned up in an ancient passat.
Hi folks, this is a simple technical query that one of you may have the answer to: How much current(amps)does a mobile phone charger draw whilist charging a phone when it is used in a car? Has anyone ever measured the current draw or have access to some technical data? Read more
My 54 Vectra book says 10 A but the fuse is a 15A.
The specification for a 'cigarette lighter' socket states it must be rated for 150 Watts intermittent consumption. That means it can supply up to 12.5 Amps at 12 Volts for relatively short periods while the element of the lighter heats up to a gentle glow so it can set fire to the 'cancer stick'.
In reality, they are capable of delivering up to 150 Watts for a significant period without causing any ill effects to the wiring harness.
More vehicles are being fitted with Accessory Sockets that are the same basic design and power rating. There are devices available, called an inverter, to convert the 12 Volts from these sockets to the equivalent of European mains, 230 Volts. That lets you run mains type equipment, perhaps a portable TV? But the power demand must not exceed the 150 Watts. If you need more, a separate supply from the battery is needed that can deliver the power demanded. A 1 kW heater through a suitable inverter will need more than 84 Amps at 12 Volts!
Hi does anyone know if a mgf k series engine which had a auto box will fit my freelander which is manual everything looks the same did,nt want to ask garage as they are bound to say no, Read more
I'm sure HJ would not mind but the whizz kids on this are at
tinyurl.com/arcz8
dvd
My Toyota Camry is coming up to its second cam belt change @ 120k miles.
Question is - are there any tensioners / idler wheels / anything else that should be replaced at the same time as the belt itself?
Is this a straightforward change or does it need to be left to Toyota dealer?
Thanks Read more
Hi,
I've ended up taking the rap for damage to a hire car that I used on company business (wasn't me honest - witness whinging thread a couple of months back...). The claim was only £70 and has come out of my pocket. What I am wondering is, do I have to declare this to my OWN insurer? As the small print on our company policy says, I have an obligation to declare an accident to my insurer or risk voiding my policy. And the hire company has a "accident report" with my name on it, and there's nothing I can do about that now.
If I declare it, is it likely to make a serious hit on my premium (or any effect at all)? Since it's a piffling amount, below my company's policy excess, then does the warning on their policy actually apply?
If I don't, could it really void my insurance, or will nobody ever find out? I don't know if such incidents sit on a database somewhere waiting to catch me out.
Anyone able to help?
Thanks
Felix
Here is the thread about the incident Felix mentions above. tinyurl.com/b3pco
Here is another thread that Felix started regarding an insurance claim tinyurl.com/8zt3h
Some people are just born unlucky I guess...
smokie, BR Moderator
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Well I wouldn't mention it (but then I wouldn't have paid the £70 either).
The analogy I?d make is that when you hand a lease or PCP car back at the end of its term, you?re supposed to pay for remedial work. I know our company pays some pretty chunky bills (I saw one for £1700). Does anyone declare that - I would suggest not.
I am looking to store my car, under cover if possible, for a period of up to 6 months.Does anyone know of a good car storage firm close to my home between Portsmouth and Southampton. Read more
Thanks but I've found my local branch of Lok'n'Store in Portsmouth will store it, although more than I wanted to pay!
Anyone seen the ad? Actually showed the car and it looks very very nice indeed. Not sure I like all this business with using the exact same lights on teh 307, 407 and all that marlarky though.
Read more
406 Coupe - one of the most gorgeous shapes ever and still ultra-desirable, even with Peugeot electrics and in bright yellow!
407 Coupe - oh my g*d, this is what happens when car designers grow up playing computer games...
Doea anyone have any experience with this company? Confused.com has come up with them as the lowest quote for my renewal. They've only been mentioned once on here as being good with young drivers - hardly something I can claim to be anymore!
Any tales to tell? Read more
The chaps report that says they have a £175 excess on windscreen claims is what caught my eye. It's usually about £60 with most other companies.
Worth looking into?!
One day I would like to make my own car,something along the lines of the like of Count Zabrovski with a serious engine ,something like a Merlin or Meteor engine.
Would DVLA have a fit or could i do it.
I have seen self propelled sofas and offices so surely it would be possible. Read more
Someone, I think his name was John Dodds, built a road-going (just about) car powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin or Meteor.
I once saw a tractor-pulling special powered by two RR Aero-Griffin engines - bigger V12s based on merlin design. These engines were claimed to rev to 6000, way above their proper rated max. The noise was fearsome and you could feel the air being sucked away from some distance. Apparently these engines woould begin to melt if they ran at anything like full power for more than 30 seconds.
I'd be amused to try a punk-heretic conversion like a Perkins 4-cylinder diesel in a 1970's Ferrari Daytona!
Browse
Do a google search, there's an comprehensive internet write-up on how to fix the passat/VW door lock problem, you need to be able to use a soldering iron tho.