May 2008
Back in the early 1980`s I was working with young TWOC-ers and was once in a `place`being shown a ledger book with page after page of registration numbers, all of the same make and model. Unbelievable really, but it was reckoned that just about every car of that type in the town and surrounding area had been stolen at least once.
One of the lads told me exactly how it was done and it was down to a fine art, so much that they could do it in the dark regarding the hot wiring. This info being passed far and wide across the district.
It was just the one make and model though. Blank at anything else as the wiring was different.
I often wondered how widespread this became.... the cure was reaching age 17 when almost everyone settled down a bit with more serious consequences on the horizon in Court.
Well that`s my story, people were going into local showrooms and buying these cars new..if only they had been aware....
Any little car`secrets` unknown to the general public, from your own perspective?
Regards Read more
Hi all
Our newly acquired Mini 1000 has a problem. Well, a few actually but the main one is this.
There is a tie bar that steadies the engine, as you face the windscreen, just to the left of the carb. It looks like it originally was connected to a metal bracket that comes out from under the clutch fluid reservoir but this bracket seems to have sheared off and a crude attempt to fabricate a bracket and then use one of the reservoir fixing bolts to hold it.
The trouble is I gave away my Haynes manual with the last Mini I sold so dont know what the bracket is supposed to look like so I could maybe weld a new one on and also dont know what is involved in removing the clutch fluid reservoir.
All help VERY gratefully received, as ever!!!
Thanks!
Stuart
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I believe the OP's car hasn't a plate in place, but if there is, it would need cutting to remove it, which is probably as difficult, given the location, as taking off the cylinders. As I say, not impossible, but not the easiest of jobs.
JS
Aircon regassed last August shortly after purchase of car, no leaks found in system and all other parts working fine.
Went to drive car today, compressor clicks on but air does not get chilled.
Any ideas? Read more
Got aircon checked, needs new condensor, reciver dryer and a couple of seals and regas. Is this a common thing to go on 323's or have I just been unlucky, oh well look like I'll have to raid the piggy bank.
Hello
Just changed the batteries on the remote and now the remote wont work. Cannot just use key due to immobiliser.
Any ideas?
Thank you.
Mrs B Read more
>>infra-red type with a receiver in the interior mirror,
I don't know much about the systems with the pick up in the mirror, the system on my W124 is a bit earlier, but, I used a digital camera to see if the remote was working. The digital cameras can "see" the infra red, and you can see if the remote is working by watching the preview screen on the back of the camera while pressing the remote key. Also check with your other spare remote.
I found that on one of my key fobs there was a bad solder joint between the battery connection and the circuit board. Simply re-flowing this joint restored correct operation. As you've just disturbed this to replace the batteries, it's a possibility.
Parked the car last night and set the alarm. Car was running normally.
This morning the car wouldnt start. The engine management light and battery light stayed on after turning the key and after resetting the alarm. Starter operates normally.I have disconnected and reconnected the battery without success Can an alarm immobilizer cause any problems with the engine management system/light (car alarm locking appears to be operating normally).
Any help advice would be appreciated
Ian Read more
if the immobilizer was faulty then the engine management light will flash, the fact that it is cranking means it not a immobilizer fault, only common thing is crankshaft sensors on this engine, which usually cause's not start issues
They do seem to be quite well regarded in the press, do owners back this up?
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Just a little aside - had our first mpg figures for our Picanto auto, virtually all town driving on 30/40 roads with stop start, usual stuff.
We got 40 mpg which seems about right for exclusive town driving. Will be posting combined figures after our week in Norfolk next week. Will be running over there at 55 mph, we arent in a hurry so should give up some optimum figures.
I know we all currently measure it using mpg, with some Europhiles doing l/100km, but I do wonder that if the roads continue to become more crowded whether we'll have to change to gals/hour like I used to measure consumption on a canal boat I owned?! :-) Read more
Our 93 Convertible Anniversary came with an in built sat nav system. I am sure you must be able to do this but how do you change the readings from kilometres to miles? I must admit I haven't spent too many hours leafing throught the instruction book but on the occasions I have read it I have not found any way of changing this setting.
Can anybody help please? Read more
Hi All,
i hope some of yous can help me, my escort has a broken front bumper, i have tried nearly every car dismantler to try and find a coulor coded one in panther black but no joy,
After speaking to a sprayer to get quotes on spraying a new bumper he told me to buy an insurance approved pattern bumper as they fit nearly as good as an original, what i would like to know is does any one know any companys that do insurance approved parts. any help is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
escortgti Read more
thanks for all your replies, my sprayer could of sprayed a different couloured one but he was going to charge me £200 but he said he could spray a primed one for £80 which i thought was a good price.
thanks for the link galaxy that sites really helpful, they will supply and spray for £94 i think i might just go for that.
Regards,
escortgti
i have a 99 diesal sharan with air con. I have just replaced the reciever drier and gassed the system but the compresor wont kick in when i press the switch in the car. The fans come on but thats it. I have tested the compresor by putting live to it when the engine is running and the system works and cools. There is no power out of the plug to the compresor when switch is activated. any ideas??? Is there a fuse that runs the system or maybe a relay. Read more
Who needs keys when you can buy these things? tinyurl.com/45loq8