August 2006
I just caught sight of a Citroen 2CV towing a caravan. As if this wasn't an absurd enough thing in the first place, I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that I'm pretty sure the caravan must have been extendable or something, unless you're supposed to sleep with your feet sticking out of a window. Read more
Father in law has ordered the above and would like any feedback of it. It seems cheap but well equipped but there are issues on quality. Read more
It´s a big bore.
My, I´m on form today.
It seems that it's not only the youngsters and company car drivers that most of us consider need
to exercise rather more care when driving but now it seems in my small North Somerset town, Senior Citizens
will have to be included in this category. One old chap anyway!
This afternoon this character went whizzing along a rather straight length of path in his rather narrow axled disabled
scooter at a good rate of knots, cap pulled down over his eyes, cigarette firmly in mouth, one hand on the steering bar
and the other clasping a mobile phone to his ear!
Boys will be boys!
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An earlier thread on these "buggies"
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=38675&...f
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Phil
Help needed please. Earlier in the week my son's Cavalier made a strange whirring noise when the ignition was turned on but he was still able to start the car when he couldn't identify the noise. He stopped the engine and turned off the ignition to try and see what was wrong. This whirring noise continued for several minutes and when it stopped he tried again. The ignition as turned on and the whirring noise began again. It was coming from the back of the engine. This time the car would not turn over and it was left parked up. Suspecting a starter motor problem I disconnected the +ve lead from the starter and jump started the car so we could bring it home. We got the starter off but could't get the solenoid to operate using leads from a battery. A starter was sourced at a local yard and prior to putting it on the car I tried to test it. I couldnt get the solenoid to operate. I then noticed a small metal tag from one of the starter terminals into the solenoid. This suggested to me that the small wire to the tab on the solenoid was negatively switched. I checked the small wire (that energises the solenoid) to earth and found it was open circuit which closed when the key was switched to the start position. The new solenoid was checked by applying negative to the small terminal and everything seemed o.k. The starter was fitted and the car has been used for a day or so. Yesterday the car failed to start and now when the ignition is turned on the dash lights are dim and a buzzing noise comes from behind the light switch. When the buzzing stops after a few seconds the dash lights become bright again but the engine will not spin over, nor can you hear the solenoid click when an attempt to start is made. I have checked the signal to the solenoid again and yes it is a switched earth. I have not come across this before. Sorry to be so long winded but he loves his car and needs it for work. Thank you and regards, Paul. Read more
Thank you to all for your replies. Before I posted the request for help I had had the battery tested and it proved o.k. at our local supplier. Following your replies the car would be o.k. one minute and then not start the next while this buzzing was going on. I called in an auto electrician who confirmed that the buzzing was down to the heater plug relay and suggested there wasn'y ebnough life in the battery. A new battery was purchased and the car has been right as rain ever since. Looks as though there was an intermittant battery fault. Best regards, Paul.
Hi guys,
Sorry if this is answered else but I have done a search and cannot find any information
I have a 1996 306 D Turbo and it has the common problem of wires breaking in the drivers side door. I have been to a scrap yard to try to get a replacement but the number and positions of the pins in all the multiplugs that I have found are diffrent, I was wondering if anyone knows of a list or diagram that show what pin is for what.
The only things i need to connect up is electric windows and central locking.
Thanks
Martyn Read more
i dont know i couldnt get the window glass out of the rear door on the 106.
its as if the mechanism is fitted and then the two halves of the door skin are put together
try the oil technique if you can squirt some on all the jingly bits....
Hi
I have just got rid of my Peugeot 407 to some unsuspecting new member of our sales team (Ha Ha) and taken the Saab Linear that was just handed back and need to ask a really non technical question about the stereo.
Well to be honest it is the worst stereo I have ever heard, it looks like they have left all the bass and tweeters out and just left the little mid range ones in for the basic stereo.
I do notice there is a space next to them in the rear shelf for what looks like 6x9's, just wandered if anyone had had any experince in upgrading the speakers on these models, i dont want to change the headunit because you lose display and steering wheel controls plus my phone is routed through it.
Hope you can help, other than that the car is brilliant, Its the 150 Tid which i believe is the JTD engine from Fiat, bit plasticcy inside but when you've been driving a 1.6 hdi the extra power is most welcoming!
Cheers Guys
Jon Read more
i know there is GSF and eurocar parts for parts for euro cars but is there a place/website for cars like hyundai,honda,kia etc Read more
Just to add to Oldman's comment - if you need a big item (e.g. £100+ part) then haggle a bit with the storeman and ring a few dealers - you can often get 10-15% off. I am on good terms with local Mitsi and Nissan dealers (no account with them) and they often just give me a discount without having to ask. There's a fair bit of 'fat' on some of those parts prices....
I was thinking this over last night.
Since this ever so popular goverment seems to take exception to every car we want to buy and complains endlessly that we all buy the wrong cars, should the government put their money where their mouth is and design and build a 'peoples car' that meets all their wishes for us the motorist?
Herr H wasnt a nice fella its true, but his idea for a Peoples Car, especially with the persecution of the motorist on account of our 'bad choices', is as relevant now as it was back then even if our reasons for needing such a car are somewhat different.
Id say something priced £3-5000, not so small it would be useless for a family, so about Fiesta sized, no toys but a design focussed on economy, emissions and green credentials.
Not suggesting it would be a fun car by any means, but one which would give people a real option to go green.
Its not like they havent got the cash to do this either and could create many jobs for all these immigrants they are so fond of inviting over here. Read more
I used a Daewoo Matiz for motorway use and it was fine even though it took a while to get up to speed, you get used to that unless you have male ego problems, so I wouldnt say that there are many cars that cant be taken on the motorway, it just depends on ones expectations.
I drive my Suzuki van on the motorway at 70. Not the most comfortable way to get around for sure, but its acceptable and if I bought a car for exceptionally low running costs, id accept a loss of comfort in the aim of economy. The sort of car im suggesting would want a great emphasis on economy and running costs, otherwise, it would present no real advantage over any other small diesel hatch.
The Fabia is a nice car, so if you used that as a benchmark to improve on, you would really want atleast 35% better economy and purchase price to make it worth sacrificing some of the big car feel.
Id happily pay 4 grand for a car with acceptable comfort but very high MPG and lightweight body.
The Citroen AX was a flimsy little car, but did produce some great economy figures and it wasnt so flimsy that it couldnt be used everyday and wasnt bad to drive either.
It comes down to having a car that first meets all the regulations and then presents an overwhelming cost advantage to offset the fact that its not the most fantastic car in the world to travel in, although lightweight cars are often fun as the lack of weight can help with handling.
Our local council has revealed this week that they made a loss of £41k on parking enforcement last financial year.
tinyurl.com/o6wnm
Enforcement expenditure was £1.16m, fine income was £1.12m. According to the council this is because the level of fines haven't been increased by the Government.
Personally I put it down to the fact that the wardens have done a good job and educated drivers not to park illegally and therefore are unable to issue so many tickets because the big bad motorists are avoiding the fine by not doing the crime. A success story you would think. But the motorists' reward for being good, law-abiding citizens and using the car parks, at not inconsiderable expense, looks like it will be........ increased car parking fees, yet again, to offset the loss! The council spokesman you may note ' would not be drawn on whether the council was looking into raising car park charges to meet the shortfall' Trust me, with our local politicians that's about as close to an admission we're likely to get! Read more
i worked out it would have been cheaper to give every motorist that broke the parking laws 37 pence if they just went away ...........and collected their bounty at the town hall,..........
...(probably have to bring a rats tail in or something to prove some kind of authenticity?)
I have a 2001 Astra automatic 1.6 8 valve. At 60 mph on a light throttle the tachometer shows 2,500 rpm.
Could someone confirm that this fits in with lock up engaging in 4th gear. I'm really just trying to satisfy myself that the gearbox is operating OK.
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Yes, but rmember that speed can be anything for 0-10% fast.
Also rev counter at 2-3000rpm can be out by a
couple of hundred rpm (they are usually fairly accurate around idle
by can be a bit inaccurate at higher rpm - there
is not requirement for them to be accurate).
Indeed, I was quite surprised when the estimate came out as close as it did!
Number_Cruncher
Browse
On Friday at about 5.30pm on Rochester Bridge, an old Lambretta with a side car. In the side car was the owner's dog! Rediculous combination that made me chuckle.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.