heelo my x plate mgf has failed its mot becaude the parking brake is showing no reserve travel and only showing about 8% stopping power.

I have replaced the discs pads and brake cables still no change also both calipers seem to be working has anyone got any idea whats wrong. Do I need new calipers or is it another problem. Worried now as its costing me a fortune and also I still have no mot HELP please Read more

2002 Mondeo Ghia X, on two occasions over a few weeks I have noticed the airbag warning light flash while driving, on both occasions it was intermittent, it could have been flashing a code such as two flashes, pause, two flashes, pause though I am not sure. The first time I had just left home and stopped and restarted, all was well, the second time I also stopped and restarted which caused the light to stay on permenently, upon restarting a second time then all was well. On both occasions I had a passenger so I have checked the functioning of the passenger airbag deactiavtion system by connecting the passenger seat belt without anyone sitting on the seat and waiting for the deactivation light to illuminate, then upon illumination I have put weight on the seat at which point the deactivation light goes out, this proves that the sensors are working as well as the switch in the buckle. I have checked the connections under both seats and all seems well.

Will a fault code be stored for each time the warning light has illuminiated when driving?

Any other thoughts?




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In today's Telegraph someone asks advice about pursuing an insurance claim against another motorist, and then discovering that he had no insurance cover himself for the particular motor bike he was riding. The response was NO, because he risked prosecution.

Of course, there may be more to this case than was revealed in the paper. But in principle, it is possible for the insurance company to refuse a claim without the policyholder automatically having commited an offence? I

For example, one insurance condition is that the vehicle is maintained in roadworthy condition. Does that mean that whenever a car is stopped in a police check and found to have say a faulty light or the wrong kind of child seat,, the driver is also prosecuted for driving without insurance?

Insurance to drive a vehicle, and insurance cover for that vehicle, are different things surely? Read more

Deed is done, and SWMBO has just bought the above, so that my beloved 405 estate is off to a new owner.

34K on clock. Not the PDI engine, so I have been told good quality semi-synthetic only is required, and it will be on 6 month oil changes (6-7K miles) rather than variable servicing. About to ask local Skoda garage if they can consult their computer to check if brake fluid etc has been done.

Was considering oil & filter change, brake fluid swop (DOT4?), Coolant change (probaly 5 year anti-freeze). When is the cambelt due on these, and do you require tensioners etc (405 still on original after 237k)

Can the backroomers suggest any other jobs I should be considering, or advice against the above Read more

Replacing fuel filter on carina e, I split the metal return line.

I lost about 2 -3 inches of line from where it meets the filter.

What i need to know basically is what sort of a"patch
" can i make to rejoin the pipe?

I tried rubber fuel hose and jubilee clips but it was not secure.........guy in factors said i did not need high pressure rubber...engine is fuel injection btw.

I dont want to go down the "Flaring" route as I am not too adept at using the cheap and nasty flaring tool I have

Thanks in advance.

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