February 2007
I thought Backroomers might like to know that a much-loved, one might say iconic, vehicle is up for auction. It epitomised to a tee the character of Del Boy and is of course the Robin Reliant with "Trotters Independent Trading Co - New York-Paris-Peckham" written on the sides, from "Only Fools and Horses", as used in the series. Cost? Likely to be up to £20,000, they say.
See news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6382907.stm Read more
As per my earlier post, following a recently developed intermittent misfire, my emission warning lamp came on.
My dealer yesterday (I think) solved the misfire and the lamp by means of a "software update" - THEN, 12 hours later, the light came back on again. He is at a loss re. what might be causing this and wants me to bring the car back in again, for another software update.
Has anybody experienced similar problems?
Thanks
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Hi
We run it on premium grade (98?) fuel - e.g. Shell Optimax.
No, they have not explained the diagnostic code - all they described was a "full wiring check and software update".
This DOES seem to have got rid of the mis-fire, but the emmision light is glowing yellow - I only have another month or so to get it fixed, before the warranty expires - hence my concern.
Hi Guys
I could do with your advice again.
I have a W reg 406 estate with an HDI 90 engine
Previously I had an engine management light stay on and a diagnostic test indicated the probable cause as the Mass Air flow Meter.. Whilst I know a bit about petrol engines diesels are very much an unknown quanitiy.
At the moment the car is running ok but but I do get the impression of a lack of pick up as I accelerate. I also feel that I could probably run it as it is for a while but ultimately could damage the turbo etc
The manual doesn't give too much info on the mass air flow meter but from the detail I could make a guess at its use however I would appreciate some basic info from yourselves.
Could you tell me what it conrtols, how easy is it to fit, does it need calibrating and lastly is it an expensive option. Read more
Replacement cost:
www.eurocarparts.com/ecommerce/Search_Results.asp
I cannot help regarding fitting etc
My son's car has an intermittent reading on the temp. gauge. Sometimmes it shows about 80C after a few miles, sometimes much less. I noticed after starting the engine after a rest of at least 90 minutes that there was flow to the top of the coolant bottle. I take this to mean that the thermostat is stuck open. Does anyone agree/disagree?
Cheers. Read more
Thermostat is £35 from a motor factors.
How much? As SpamCan suggests, try Vauxhall themselves or Autovaux.
On the whole, most parts from Vauxhall themselves aren't that expensive.
My front passenger door central locking does not work. Before I buy a new unit I would appreciate advice. Not long ago my carpets were soaked after heavy rain, which I understand to be a common problem . Could the failure of the c/l be due to the ecu getting wet or is that unlikely seeing as all other locks work OK?
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Pleased you got there in the end ;O)
hi all,
i've had a recent problem with my polo. at first when driving for distances, as i slow down for a junction then dip the clutch the engine would start to die then finaly cut out. i had to be very quick on the clutch to bump it again without stoping. this went on for a week or so and i wasnt impressed as i do alot of milage. this problen shortly sorted itself out and the engine purred like a dream.
after a month or so, the problem arrised again and eventualy the engine stopped all together, it will turn over but it wont fire. ive checked the fuel line and theres fuel getting as far as the single point injection unit. after there theres nothing at all. could it be the 's.p.i' or something to do with the 'e.c.u'? or could it be the battery? i would be very thankfull if any one could help or advise me on this matter as my legs are realy hurting from having to walk everywhere.
thankyou.
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If your car is more than 7 yrs old, I suspect the ignition module unit (coil pack and amplifier). These are know to fail due to cracks on the plastic case and will allow mositure/water to get in.
The module is located in the bulkhead, remove and inspect for hair line crack. The problem you discribed is same as mine. You will find that the spark is present, but very small. Thats why sometimes its difficult to diagnose. You can pick the module up for about £45 from German Swedish.
Hi guys,
Looking for a bit of advice on my W Reg (2000) Vectra 2.0l SRi (140bhp). When it gets nicely warmed up, after a long run in gear, I put the clutch in and instead of dropping the revs to idle it just cuts out. The previous owner tells me I need to clean the breather/butterfly behind the air intake. He also said that the air filter may need cleaning (apparently, he put in a sports filter).
Do you guys know what I should be using to clean the breather/butterfly and the air filter, I'm pretty sure Fairy liquid won't do any good!!!
Do you think this is the extent of the problem or is there something more sinister lurking beneath my bonnet???
Cheers guys. Read more
I've got a W reg Vectra SXi (yes, the SRi's poor relation) and had a similar problem around 60 - 70k. In my case, it was a faulty ECU. Best part of £1k to replace it and £500 to remap the original. Went down the second route and have had no problems since. I did have the engine management light come on too - if you do, can you do the paperclip test?
Good luck anyway.
TT.
--
Top Turkey - the fastest hands in Brum
17:30 ish yesterday evening as I drove under the M42 (just past the Coleshill Highways Dept) I noticed 2 HA 4x4s parked up the restricted sliproad to the M42 north - almost far enough to be hidden, a third turned in to the same sliproad and a fourth was heading the same way a few seconds later (a total of 8 Officers).
OK they may be on a break but why all in the same place, near but not in the depot, and where they cannot get a cup of tea. . . . .
Oddly enough at this time the M6 southbound a few hundred yards away was stationary and there were problems (according to the radio) on the M6 North near Corley.
Blair's response to the petition includes the words:
"over 1000 Highways Agency Traffic Officers now help to keep motorway traffic moving."
So why were they not out on the M6 getting traffic moving? or is it just another "easy jobs for the boys" scheme
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Up here in Scotland, AFAIK, we don't have Highways Agency as such. However on the M8 we have "Incident Support Vehicles" that work for Amey who have the contract for maintenance on the M8, although having said that, Ibelieve the contract is more than just maintenance.
From what I have seen they are very effective. They do not use 4x4s, its all LWB Hi sided vans with fluorescent markings. They seem to do what you used to see the police do ie. wait with broken down cars, be quick on the scene with brushes etc to sweep up broken glass etc etc. When they are not doing that, they are cruising along at 50mph in inside lane.
Don't know what police think of them but my observation is that the police and them have a good working relationship.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, my wife and I has come in to possession of a Sinclair Microvision.
A 1970's 2" screened 'pocket' telly which we have to sell and give the proceeds to charity.
Pictures here:
tinyurl.com/ysctoa
tinyurl.com/yupafn
I've googled it, and apart a site that tells its history, tinyurl.com/yqxfwu, and another that has them listed at approx £160, there is not a lot of info about what it's worth.
There's one on ebay that went for £46 quid, and another that is yet to finish.
What I am thinking is, is ebay really the best place to get the most for it?
I know something is only worth what people will pay for it but is there anywhere else I could try to get the most for it?
Can I have some advice please, after all it is for charadee.
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Aim low, expect nothing & dont be disappointed Read more
Thanks for the advice - much obliged, never thought of your more radical suggestion TVM - nice one LOL :)
I've just got this e-mail & thought the programe might be of interest to some. Hope its ok to just copy it in....
Advanced-Driving.co.uk's resident Expert, Hugh Noblett of Cadence Driver Development is all set for his 30 minutes' worth of fame when he appears on the BBC1 current affairs programme "Real Story with Fiona Bruce" this Wednesday February 21 at 7.30pm.
The BBC once again came to Hugh as their choice of Driving Expert, relying upon his unrivalled reputation as the country's leading high performance coach. His calm yet authoritative approach and his passion for encouraging people in the art of safe, enjoyable driving would be the perfect contrast with the subjects of the programme.
During the filming, three recently qualified drivers came under Hugh's watchful eye, gaining vital skills, which many critics feel are lacking in our current practical driving test. Recent reports have identified that many new drivers consider they are being let down by the focus of the test. Rather than performing basic manoeuvring techniques, they want to see a far more stretching test of their ability to safely deal with real-world situations on the road.
Hugh assisted them in developing their concentration and on-road risk management strategies; country road and night driving (where so many inexperienced drivers have crashes); and finally motorway procedures, where they were encouraged to use acceleration sense and the need to create space and time in which to deal with an increasingly hostile environment.
What the final format of the programme will be is uncertain. Hugh spent many hours with the three drivers in a variety of driving situations, including a session at Millbrook Proving Ground where they experienced skidding - and crashing into cones - at speed! Hugh's half expecting a variety of shots demonstrating how windy it was and how uncontrollable the remains of his hair can be without a cap!
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No it wasn't a Robin, but it wasn't a Regal either! (Dons anorak) Was it not actually a Reliant Supervan?? (Takes off anorak) No, I didn't know that. Someone told me - honest!
JS