September 2006
Dear all,
Three of the instrument cluster bulbs have blown on my 2003 (53-reg) Mondeo in the last month. Two comes back to life after a hit to the dashboard and one wouldn't - I think it is just time to change all of them. I guess the automatic lights switching the bulbs on and off many times a day doesn't help their life span!
On this current model Mondeo, how do you take off the surround of the instrument cluster to get to the back to change the bulbs? Any possibility to get to the back of the cluster from reaching up from the footwell or there is just not enough space?
Also, do I have to get them from Ford of are they standard items from motor factors? How much is each of the bulb?
Many thanks,
Gazza Read more
It's years since I have had to get involved with mundane things like battery charging. You know the story...car 2 - 3 years old... it's time for a new one!
Anyway, I am now the proud owner of a 1997 non-turbo diesel and a lovely car it is too. It seems a bit slow to turn over when starting and I'm thinking that owing to it's short journeys, the battery might want a charge.
Is it OK to leave the battery in the car and simply connect the charger to the "+" and "-"? Or, are there sensitive parts that will object, so disconnecting it first is a good idea?
PS I don't know the radio code which I ought to find.
Read more
Thanks all - I didn't want to wreck half the electrics, but it seems there's no problem.
Hi all,
Quick query really. Dad's managed to pick up not one but two nails in his tyre. Both are in the dead centre of the tread and are 1 foot apart. He took it to a large franchised tyre place and they told him the two nails were too close together for a repair.
Is this the case? Is a new tyre the only option or can some places repair this sort of damage?
Cheers. Read more
If the punctures are as you describe there is no problem
in repairing them.
Yes, but you never feel confident with them again do you ?
Get a new one, your life depends on it.
Has any Barclays Additions Plus account holder actually had to use this benefit?
I ask because SWMBO and I are joint account holders and would each qualify. As I understand it you phone an 0800 number if you break down and they identify you and come and help.
I am concerned with the effective identification as one who qualifies. I know Green Flag seem to be OK at the coming to help bit.
Thanks Read more
From what I remember from the stuff sent to me, the cover is comprehensive and includes recovery. All I can get from the Barclays website is:
"Total Protection breakdown cover from Green Flag."
I'll check when I get home.
Whilst I'm in a question asking mood....
I've got a 205 TD (1.8TD) sat outside. I want to put it through an MOT but it has a pull to the left under acceleration. when not accelerating, it drives straight.
Am I right to suspect the wishbone?
Thought I'd check before going out and spending £40 (it is a common part only with the GTi's) Read more
My Saxo did that, it was a driveshaft.
Whilst out today, the warning lights came on in our 405TD. We pulled over to check out the situation and found a pool of oil under the car. Something had destroyed out sump (hole the size of a 50p piece). Power was still up for a very short while so I don't think it had taken a conrod out. I was only a short way from home so we tried to limp it, but it didn't want to know. We only manged to travel about 100 metres or so.
There was a slight knocking at this point - but only the same as when the car has no oil.
It still turns over freely, indicating that it has not siezed.
1 - Have we got away lightly with this? Is it as 'simple' as replacing the sump? (1.3 hours according to Autodata)
2 - I have a 'spare' 205 1.8TD - what are the chances of the sump fitting?
Cheers for any help! Read more
I'd change the sump if only the AC compressor would come away from it
tinyurl.com/hkog2
Is this an example of the court being damned no matter what decision it took?
If she had been totally let off, then it could become an excuse for other people to use. Because she was still fined and received points on her licence, was it a bit unfair considering the circumstances?
The one fact missing from the article is how far she had travelled? Read more
The question that immediately sprang to my mind was,
"If there wasa 'riot' going on at the nightclub why were the police not rushing to deal with it?
< snip >
Hello, a friend was stopped today for speeding through the city centre. 3 other people were in the car, including me.
It was a built up area, one way street, 3 lanes with cars parked in one lane. From the light, my friend over took a motorbike. The man on the bike was do over 35 - 40 max and the friend was touching 45-50.
At the next lights the man polled up and asked my friend to roll down the window and asked if he knew the speed limit was 30mph. My friend thought it was a busy body and many motorbiles about returning home from work and replied, 'not to worry friend' and drove on.
At the next set of traffic light, the man on the bike over took us and pulled up at the red lights, disimbarked his bike and came over and told him he was a 'police office' and would have defo booked him if he was on duty. The so-called cop produced some light IS card, but no badge anf told my friend to drive at 30mph as he will be following him and will book him if he breached 30mph in a 30 zone. My matre apologised as he did not want any hassel and he knew he was wrong, but most vehicles travel between 35/50 mph there.
We later thoughtid the ID was real and even if the so-called cop had booked our friend, it would have been the so-called cops word against my friends. Although my friend was breaking the speed limit, there were no children/adults about on foot and most vehicles breach the 30 limit.
My question is, could the so-called off duty cop booked my friend and would the cps taken it to court if my friend refused a fixed penalty (if that is allowed) from a so-called off duty cop.
YES: I know that my friend was breaking the law, but so was the cop and the ones we see every day in marked cars breaking the 30 limit and undertaking cars without their blue lights on. Does that mean that my friend could stop a marked police car and arrest the,m?
Forthe record, the so-called cops bike was a private, non police bike and the na was not in uniform.
Thanks Read more
I think this thread has gone as far as it can go - with regard to the advice that has been posted.
Before it starts to descend into more ranting and petty arguments than it already has -
Thread Locked.
DD.
Rear silencer is starting to rust round the tail pipe - are these easy to DIY ? - so many Fast Fit places will tell you "It's all rusted together, Sir - the whole lot needs replacing.."
Also any idea who manufactures the genuine GM front disks and pads? Read more
If you do decide to replace it ask Masterfit for a quote. Whilst it will probably be a bit more, the quality will be similar to original whereas in my experience with those quicky fit places the quality matches the cheaper price. Nine years of life for an original Vauxhall back box on a Cavalier with two years use from each subsequent "cheaper" box.
i have an escort 18 tddi on a 2000 plate i think my idle speed is a bit high can any one tell me what it is supposed to be and how to ajust it correctly thanks Read more
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Cheers
DP
I guess yours is a facelift model, I have changed one bulb on my 2002 model, some bulbs can be reached by taking the panel below the steering column off however taking the instrument binacle out is not difficult, I followed instructions in the Haynes manual, you have to make sure you disconnect the battery beacuse of the proximity of the airbag wiring, accordingly you will need the radio code and will have to reset the window memory as per the handbook.