July 2007
Hi, Perhaps someone can shed some light on this sporadic starting problem with a 2002 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 SE (petrol), BBY engine code, manual box. The car is driven by a pensioner with a corresponding short shopping trip/low annual mileage driving profile. In total, the car has only covered about 5,000 miles since new (1 owner).
Here?s the problem: Occasionally when you turn the ignition key, the instrument panel warning lights illuminate as normal but nothing else happens. The starter motor doesn?t turn and the solenoid doesn?t even ?click? and after several attempts the engine finally starts without further ado. The battery has been replaced recently, however I don?t think this is a battery related problem as once the engine starts, everything runs fine (no low charge/alternator warning lamp, nice bright dipped beams etc.) The problem first occurred about 2 years ago and, like I said, is sporadic.
The local Volkswagen dealer checked the fault memory when fitting a new battery recently, however this did not show up any malfunctions. I know that there is an issue with the ignition barrel switch on the previous Polo 6N, however no such fault on the 9N as far as I?m aware. If the problem doesn?t lie with the ignition switch, I suspect the starter motor or a bad earth somewhere. Could there be a bad segment on the starter motor commutator which is sticking when it stops on that particular segment (Russian roulette principle)?
The owner doesn?t mind forking out for a new/exchange starter motor or ignition barrel switch if that is indeed the cause of the problem ? however it could be something a lot simpler and cheaper to fix.
I?d be grateful for any advice you could offer.
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This is an interesting website:
www.spritmonitor.de/en/
It is full of owners data of real MPG rather than fuel computer or manufacturers claims. It's a European site so it is all in l/100km but if you register you can change your settings to imperial. Read more
Ah, wait - only the Euro IV D5s have six speeds? Maybe they just tinkered with the ratios, then.
Do Halford's price match or at least discount?
I am going to buy a stereo within the next week and I can get the stereo from quite a few online dealers for £229.99 delivered. Halfords charge £299.99.
I am fully aware that a bricks and motar set-up costs more to run but £70 is a large price difference at this price point.
To be honest, I would rather deal with a B&M store and am prepared to pay more for it but not that difference.
If anybody knows if they will discount, please let me know.
PS - I'll ask them in-store even if there policy is 'No Discounts' but I'd just like a heads-up. Thanks. Read more
As per original post, Halfords are £299, online dealers are £229 delivered.
I have a BMW 320D bought at one year old. I bought it at new year from BMW. I think the last owner sold it because it has an unfixable fault. The car sometimes shakes, engine shakes, usually it runs fine. If you want to pull out into traffic then sometime the pick up is really bad. You put your foot hard on the gas and it doesnot pull away quick enough, then later all the power comes back. There are no warning lights on the dash and the dealer says there is nothing wrong with it. The car has been to the dealer many times. The computer checks out fine. How can I force the dealer to fix the car. They got a llittle angry last time I went and told me the car was fine. Read more
Trouble from the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'? Surely some mistake, must be a cloned french car ;-)
Time to choose a new company car. Not due to change until October 22nd (time to sort out the rust and scratches then) but have to have an order in by 22nd August.
One car I liked was the new Mondeo TDCi Titanium (not out as a model just yet) but the monthly costs are high on the new Mondeo via Leaseplan. A Ghia 2.0 TDCi around £95pm more than say an Avensis 2.2D T4. Before tax of course. Assume the Titanium around the same cost as the Ghia as the list price is the same.
Two other models I am considering are:
- Toyota Avensis 2.2D T4 or TR (latter more expensive!)
- Mazda 6 2.0D 143 TS2
Briefly drove an Avensis on local roads and it was okay. But bland inside and out and wife not so keen from the brochure pictures. I have drive a petrol Mazda 6 and liked it and better to look at inside and out IMHO compared to the Avensis. But a lot lower spec for the money.
I realise both the Avensis and 6 are replaced next year but my car due to be replaced on 22 October.
I did a search for Avensis on here and found a couple of threads. But not many so either few of us have an Avensis or no grumbles? Try a search for a Mondeo TDCi instead!
So opinions on the Avensis and 6 welcome. A company car so CO2 and list price important. Alternative suggestions welcome but do not want it to cost more than the Mondeo if possible and that is taxed at 18% for Benefit in Kind (Euro IV pre 2006).
Marques available are:
- Chevrolet (right!)
- Ford
- Jaguar
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Mazda
- Saab
- Vauxhall
- Volvo
Obviously a limit on what I can get as max, e.g. the only Lexus I could get is an IS220d at an additional cost compared to now of £104pm.
Cheers
Rob Read more
tough one
My Passat 100PS TDI Estate has again almost seen off its tyres in 10,000 miles.Never raced or rallied and tyres wear evenly. Most of my mileage is a commute from Chesterfield area to Buxton, Derbys..
Been doing this since car was new - never had more than 14,000 out of the front tyres. Tried Michelin, Kleber, Firestone and Continental plus current Vredestein Quatrac. Now looking at Black Circles who seem to be cheaper than the usual suspects.
Are there any brands which genuinely wear better but have adequate grip?
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18 years since last post ...
Is this the worst necro thread revival? :P...
Can anyone please advise whether the 05 Wagon R with the Vaux 1.2MPI engine has a warning light which appears when the vehicle thinks a service is due?
Thank you. Read more
Thanks to you Aprilia and to all who responded.
Rgds.
Today just before going on a long tour of the continent I thought I would ring Directline to make sure I was covered & ask if I still needed a green card! to my shock I had to extend my cover ! £ 35 cost was no problem but I may of not been covered otherwise! how many others check this with their policy??? I had been with Norwich union for 20 years & included was cover for Europe & no extra charge for green card.
How many people think they are automatically covered? Read more
A policy booklet will have no dates and is unlikely to have your name or registration number plus all the EU countries' laws require you to carry proof of insurance-you can't even leave it at home as you can in the UK.
I have a November 2004 Renault Scenic 1.9dci dynamique. The air con does not seem very cold (although we have not had much hot weather to warrant switching it on) I have an RS Thermocouple measuring instrument that I could measure the temperature. Does anyone know what sort of reading I should expect and where should I be putting the probe to measure the temp? Also if the reading is low will Renault repair or more probably re-charge the system (car is still under 3 year manufaturers warranty) or is this considered a service item, which is down to the customer? Read more
Bob in the three years I had my Scenic, the air con broke twice.
Both times the dealer said not warranty and chargeable. Took to a private air con dealer and first timehe diagnosed what was wrong and that it should be covered under warranty. Took back to dealer told them what theexpert had said and it was duly covered under warranty.
Just before I sold it the air con was poor again. Back to same guy who re-gassed it and this made a huge difference. An easy way to tell is if the pipe coming from the air con unit goes cold (its under the engine on the drivers side). When air con was regassed and switched to cold, this pipe was (almost) freezing cold.
Regas was £40.
IIRC the compressor won't start if the gas is too low so just because you aren't hearing it not kicking in, doesn't mean that its not just a simple re-gas required.
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
Hello all,
I would appreciate your expert opinions on buying an high mileage diesel A3. I have an opportunity to buy an Audi A3 TDI 100bhp SE 2003/03 with FSH but am concerned about the high mileage of 112,000 miles. Although this will be taken into account in the price, I am worried that I could be looking at expensive repairs or overhauls. What mileage can reasonably be expected with scheduled servicing and average luck?
What checks should I do before buying to see if engine is sound? I suppose the turbo may be worn, is there any way I can test this?
All comments appreciated. Read more
Surely A3 Golf Octavia have McPherson strut front suspension to accomodate the transverse layout?
Sorry, you are right, I had my A4 head on when I wrote this. Still, its one less thing to worry about on the A3.
Browse
Thanks Dox for the tip.
After a lot of messing around I finally tracked the problem down to the starter motor. This has been replaced and now everything is running fine. A simple solution to an evasive problem!
Best regards, Lord Of The Rings