August 2006
My car is a 1992 Volvo 240 SE manual 5-gear estate.
Hopefully this is a more straightforward problem than my last post! Thank you for the answers.
The problem is that the wire that runs to the high break-light has severed at the tailgate hinge.
I've got round this up to now by wiring the number plate light separately and making do with the 2 breaklights in the rear clusters (which work OK).
Problem is that the breaklight fuse keeps blowing (intermittently). I strongly suspect that this is because the severed end of the high break-light wire is flapping about and blowing the fuse when it happens to short out. I can't access the severed end because it's stuck too far into the roof. It's too difficult to remove the roof lining because (I think) it's a massive sheet of metal which is very hard to move without (a lot) of effort.
What I would rather do is break into the wire somewhere more convenient and either cap the stub off (or even reconnect it with a wire run through the car).
Where is the EASIEST place to access this wire?
I am happy to drill into the car body or destroy a small section of lining or trim; I don't care (much) about resale value (which is negligable). Possibly the left hand windscreen pillar above the fuse box; but I don't want to go randomly stabbing round with a drill or start ripping the interior when I might be barking up the wrong tree.
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Members of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committe have recommended an increase of £300 within each band of VED with a top rate of £1800. uk.news.yahoo.com/28082006/344/tax-hike-hit-family...l
I'll bet that they are all on huge car allowances paid for by us.
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What's so great about a Prius anyway? Toyota can claim what it likes but regular users of the Prius state that they average around 48mpg (according to a newspaper article I read recently). My Leon diesel averages 52mpg: why then is my tax £110 a year more expensive than that of a Prius? In addition, why are 4X4's taxed extra because they give less mpg (resulting in higher emissions) when no extra tax is payable by high performance sports cars (or 'classic' cars over 25years old) often doing less mpg?
The motor industry has cleaned up its act a lot in recent years: generally increasing mpg rates, lower emissions and cars are more recyclable than previously etc. Add to this improvements in safety and it is clear that the industry has at least attempted to clean up its act a little. Why don't the government (and environmentalists) target these other industries: afterall vehicles only contribute 20% of the economy's CO2 emisssions.... what about targetting the causes of the other 80%?
(Rant over).
12 months ago, I changed the coolant in my ford escort. In about April, I realised that the coolant level was a bit low, so I topped up with a mixture of antifreeze and water. Since then, the coolant level slowly falls, ie I have to top it up every week or two. On a few occasions, (especially during the hot weather), the coolant would steam out of the cap. this would happen after the radiator had just been topped up.
Due to the volume of coolant I was losing, i decided to top up with water only. This was OK for a month or two, but recently, whilst topping the expansion tank, I realised the water was very dirty and brown. I topped up to the MAX level, and only a week later, it had dropped to well below the MIN mark. I am considering having the radiator flushed out and the coolant replaced. I have also read that it maybe a good idea to replace the cap on the expansion tank.
Could the problem be more serious? Read more
I had a look under the car the other day and noticed that there was some oil or something similar that was covering the front drivers side axle. It was also under the engine. When I touched it, it was black, and thick. I also parked my car on the driveway, and within an hour, there was a tiny mark caused by some liquid. This was different as it was not black, but it definitely was not petrol.
hopefully someone can help,i own a p reg polo deisel, 1.9 naturally aspirated,on idle the car shakes and is very loud,have changed the fuel filter,had the timing checked and double checked,fuel additive made a slight differance but still very loud, any ideas would be gratefully appreciated Read more
Had the injectors serviced on my wife's Polo 1.9D and engine a lot smoother. Cost £15 per injector
Car is 99 Passat TDI - PD engine
Head gasket just replaced and now fear MAF sensor kaput. I will get to garage tomorrow morning but in meantime I've been having a fiddle to see if the MAF sensor is broken.
There seem to be two sensors on the pipe after the airfilter box. One has two prongs and the other has five. The sensor with five seems to be security bolted to the pipe but the one with two has a couple of small (vacuum?) pipes and is held by a screw. I presume one of these is the MAF sensor - can someone let me know which one and what is the other one?
Cheers
{amended header to make use of make/model drops downs that weren't available at the time post was composed} Read more
I've replaced my MAF twice in the last year, it's a real pain in the backside. One was a Bosch, can't remember the brand of the second. Whatever it is, it didn't last long as I now need a third...
The heads of the two screws are exposed - I simply made a slot in them with a junior hacksaw, no special tools required, just a slotted screwdriver!
Hello,
Have just registered for the forum so thought I'd introduce myself.
I'm Dan... 18 year old Student.... passed my test in July this year. I drive a Ford Ka (a bit girly I know, but it's a good car :))
You'll probably see me around on the forum from now on.
Cheers,
Dan Read more
Unfortunately the umpire has ruled that the ball was out, so game over.
Thread locked.
DD.
From Auctionview, at Brighouse this week:
VAUXHALL VECTRA 3.2 V6 ELITE (Intro 2002) Hatchback, BLACK, 5 Doors, Automatic, Petrol, 22279 Miles, Margin. Registered 06-02-2004
CAP say New: £21940, Ret: £9095, Cln: £7475, Avg: £6950, Blw: £6325
Glass's say New: £22465, Ret: £10200, Trd: £8450
Anyone any idea which price is closest? Or what I'm likely to have to pay? (I've bought at auction before so understand buyer's premium etc). V5 is present.
I didn't really want the auto but it's a fine looking car in the pic. Just it's also 224 miles away...
Will it be much slower (or more to the point) less fun than a manual? Fuel bills are not a consideration (at least my company does one thing right!)
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In all seriousness though, once you get used to it, you'll
start using the tipronic side of the box. There will be
times when you want to change down a gear without relying
on the kickdown to do it for you.
The times I have driven Tiptronic I found it most useful for getting in the right gear in advance rather like a manual, changing down to overtake or when coming up to a roundabout on a dual carriageway, even the best autos are not at there best when it takes them half a second to kick down after you have decided to go. Also it can be fun on the back lanes flicking up and down the box sans clutch.
just bought a new check strap pin (some play in the drivers door)
the pin is identical to the rear door with the front drivers door looking slightly thicker with a flat head
just wondered if anyone could tell me how to remove and replace the pin? i dont want to damage the hinge
thanks Read more
Well, the day has come part with my BMW. It'sgoing to a friend in the village so hopefully it's more a case of au revior, but I'm still a litle sad to see it go ( my new Passat is arriving next Monday).
And for those who may be wary of high mileage vehicles and/or BMW build quality consider the following: car is a 318iSE Touring bought 4 years ago with 134,000 miles, now at 179,000 miles. It has not missed a beat, been serviced at the village garage (thorough, honest abd reasonbly-priced), only unscheduled part was a new battery 2 years ago. Still got the same exhaust! 6 new tyres. Overall mpg about 35. The car is still a pleasure to drive on its sports suspension. Bought for £5700 selling for £1200 (it needs MOT, tax and a service).
Anyway, I'll let you know if the Passat fares as well!
Cheers
Pat Read more
"Yes, I think they've got a good deal here, but the car owes me nothing and I'm glad to see it going to a good home"
You're the type of person I like to buy from.Breeds confidence in the deal.
Hope you enjoy your new car as much.Long time to Monday eh?
can anyone tell me if you should put contact grease in the caps when fitting new leads? Read more
It sounds as if it's the same product you get at Jewsons for making plastic waste pipes pop together. Not the adhesive - the appallingly slippery stuff that seems so difficult to wipe off your hands.
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Have you got the roof lining freed? Grasp the rear edge, stretch it backwards, and you will see it has a kind of rigid plastic stiffener that hooks behind the metal lip. With that free you can peel it back to see where the wires come from. The tailgate loom plugs into a socket somewhere just inside the rear of the headlining.
Yours is presumably broken somewhere at the hinge, so you just need to locate the junction and work from there.
Tie a bit of string onto the broken wires from the tailgate before pulling them out, as it is tricky getting new wires down the inside of the tailgate.
Watch the colour coding, as I found mine was different from the book. Also if getting a proper loom you need the one to match the socket type. I once retrieved a good secondhand one only to find it wouldn't plug in.