February 2008
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7240309.stm
Blimey happy I dont have a gas guzzler! £25 a day to enter London. Another green tax or just further fund raising in the name of the enviornment? Read more
After several weeks of to-ing and fro-ing between the Ford dealer and having been given a poor diagnosis to my ABS light and Handbrake warning light randomly flashing (I have read other forums and come to the conclusion than my dash display is on the blink as it seems quite a wide spread problem with 2003-4 build focii and other have had similar problems).
I am about to order a new replacement dash display for my car and have been told by the Ford Parts guy that it will need to be fitted by them as it needs to be programmed to the car. Is this correct? I understand that the mileage will need to be reset to the correct mileage but this can be done by a specialist. I have heard of people fitting 2nd hand items with no problem. Anybody out there no the correct answer??
Q. If I fit the unit myself will it work??? or will I have to get it fitted by Ford??? Read more
A common complaint; they've just moved to bigger premises, but they're still snowed-under - let it ring.
My wife recently decided to 'help' me out by checking her own car. I think she checked the oil which was fortunately ok and then she went on to top up the (Ford Focus) screen washer, which had stopped working. She then proceeded to mix up some of that Pink Tesco stuff in a large jug, which she then added to the cooling system header tank !
When I asked her why, she said 'the stuff in the header tank was pink so I thought it would be 'okay' !
At this point I thought there was no point asking why she hadn't gone for the little yellow cap with the screen-wash symbol on it !
Anyway, no real harm done, as she had only put in a pint and had not driven the car, so I just drained the header tank and refilled.
I'm just glad she hadn't decided to fill up the engine oil, as I'd once heard that someone had actually done this and filled the whole engine with disastrous results !
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The first time I lifted the bonnet on my girlfriend's ( now wife ) Astra I discovered a battery lead taped with insulating tape to the handle of a pair of "mole grips" which were in turn clamped on to the battery terminal. When I asked her how long it had been like that she shrugged and admitted that she had never looked under there. Seems stuff like screenwash and oil checks etc were deemed as the sort of thing Dad would do when he was being visited !
Do low profile tyres reduce air friction?
A physics text book that I have been shown says that they do - but it seems unlikely to me.
Any thoughts? Read more
>>too many variables
If you now claim there are too many variables, your original point can no longer stand either - which way do you want it?
Here we are again, a point of dubious technical merit is raised - and the person who raises it does not explain either the source of the information or the technical logic behind it.
Hi all and hope you can help me as I am desperate.
Whilst bleeding the brakes to replace the fluid, I have run into a few problems concerning the rear brake drums. I use a bleeding kit that works off the tyre pressure. I raised the right rear, removed the wheel, unscrewed the bleed screw....no fluid coming out. I don't think the car has any load compensation devices. As no fluid coming out is fluid going in to the cylinder to work the brake?
On the left rear, the bleed screw would not budge. tried gentle tapping around area and releasing fluid to no joy. Screw now starting to get 'rounded' by proper brake spanner so tried clamping wrench as last resort to no avail. Had no trouble with both front disc brakes.
It looks as though I will have to replace both rear brake cylinders but I am sure this will present its problems. The bolts holding the cylinders are not that accessable and can just get a spanner onto them but these are going to be very rusty and probably will not undo with a spanner. Any thoughts how best to go about getting these off and how do I keep the brake flexible hoses from being twisted when connecting to new cylinders?
Garages must experience these problems...how do they cope?
Thanking you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Mak Read more
With respect, its brakes and they are pretty important.
If you are not sure of how to remove a cylinder or to see if its a hose causing the blockage or master cylinder etc then I strongly suggest a visit to a garage.
Local independant would not be expensive for this.
Additional detail:
Built Date: Feb 2003
Compliance Date: May 2003
Vin Number: VF38BRHZF81579708
Engine Number: 10DYMR4030205
Is there a source of compatible diagnostic code scanners for this model?
I have no dealership within 3000kM and am seeking an additional source of hardware to access and/or clear codes. I have a PC based scan device which has not yet been used.
Pinouts on the DLC don't match most of those handhelds on offer, and I am not about to buy a DIAG 2000.
Apart from ABS and ESP pins 11 and 12, about the only OBD2 match is the 12volt rails and the ECU on pin 7.
Someone posted some time back that this was a gold mine wating to be opened?
Cheers, Terry Read more
Steve and all,
Steve's question re Lexia prompted the previous post and some further digging.
A Lexia3 which seems capable of dealing sensibly with the 406 is now available new for AUD in the vicinity of 450/500.
The online supplier info indicates that live data is presented. At that price, it is tempting --- but only to draw a line for the present vehicle condition (whatever that might be).
If there was an additional reason to obtain this tool, it would happen, but the car runs well (very well in fact) and I might just be playing and wasting funds?
Comments?
Terry
I changed all 4 tyres on my CR-V a month ago and since then have noticed a drop in mpg from about 28 down to 24 mpg, a drop of about 15%. I have searched a number of tyre manufacturer's websites for information on roll resistance but could find little information. Does anyone know whether comparative figures are available for various makes and models of tyres? While my figures are only approximate, if they are representative, then this is a serious increase in motoring costs.
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Manatee, thanks for clearing that up :) and thanks to everyone for your comments. I think I will have to contact the manufacturers directly to seek an answer.
Greasy Pole
Hi,
Can you please help?
I bought a new Zafira 1.9cdti - its now 6 months old.
One month ago it started to pull to the left, and despite bringing it to three tyre alignment centres - it is still pulling to the left - on all road types even flat, wide carriage ways.
I also noticed that the steering wheel seems to be set at 5 to 12 rather than centred at 12.00
One mechanic advised me that he has had a number of Zafiras with this problem - and that it seems to be a 'glitch' with zafiras.
I always thought that this type of problem was fairly simple to resolve and have therefore not bothered returning to the main dealer - yet
Any help appreciated
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"wheel seems to be set at 5 to 12 rather than centred at 12.00"
Are you the only one who drives this vehicle? Sounds like a nasty kerbing or pothole or worse has shifted something. I've sat in a few new Zafiras & drive one every day & the steering is set straight as it should be. I suspect any "glitch" is caused by rough treatment rather than a design fault.
can anyone help the fan stays on when engine turned off we were told could be the relay switch but cant find the relay switch.its not in usual place taking fuse out turns off fan but obviously cant keep driving car like this..
the fan has now stopped working completly can anyone help please. Read more
Hi
I take it it?s the older GS voyager not the newer RG shape. If so yes it?s a common fault the relay is down behind the air filter box in the near side. 2 bolts hold the air box in and 2 screws hold the relay on. 4 wires to the relay and it?s flat not a square type can?t miss it. 10 minute job easy.
Does anyone know what the state of the Talex company is? Apparently it has recently changed hands. I have failed to purchase a database update recently and the web site appears not to work. Read more
Pete, I thought that Talex was 'no more', I think the directors have parted company, however, I understand that one or two of them have set up novus gps
www.novus-gps.co.uk/
My dad has a Talex machine and he updated his machine from the Novus GPS site, the updates are free, although I guess if you don;t have the cable hten its not good to you. In terms of your order, maybe send an email to Novus?
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First the government declares LPG to be a good clean fuel that would help the environment. So people put there hands in their pockets and spend £2,000 to convert their nasty emission belching 4X4's in an attempt to keep the moaners happy.
Then Bingo, LPG is suddenly not good enough and its up with the congestion ( sorry- I meant emissions tax ) charge on such vehicles. Don't forget, it was the govt that gave away millions in 'Powershift" grants to persuade people to switch to LPG. Now it's hand rag is sticking the knief in to those that did.