December 2008
EPC Light On Again
Electronic Power Control (EPC) has fault codes
P for Powertrain, B for Body, C for Chassis, U for other systems
As this keeps happening I have ordered on-line today the Haynes Fault Codes manual and other info about Engine Management Systems (EMS). It should not be a major problem to connect my PC to the car and investigate the problem myself.
As CEng I managed team of 14 using fault simulators and real systems to write fault diagnostic programmes for more complex systems than cars. It would not be a surprise to me to find software bugs - anyone info about
(1) version numbers of their in-car software ?
(2) Using experience of a VAS 5051 with Data Link Connector ?
(3) VW Diagnostic Trouble Codes and reliability of them ?
(4) Using the software in factory mode ?
It should make for an interesting investigation for the New Year 2009.
Regards, CEng.
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A question for our German-based contributers... We are intending to go to Bavaria (in particular Munich) this year on holiday and whilst browsing the Munich Tourist Info I came across this:
tinyurl.com/8h977g
I can't see any dates for it and wondered when it started... as my car is brand new and in one of the lower bands I can't see any problem in getting the green one but should I order over the 'net or is it easy to get one when I arrive in Germany and save myself a tenner?
Before anyone suggests that I just avoid those areas covered by this my wife is disabled so we will need to go into the centre of the towns and cities as using public transport is not an option.
And we thought our lot was bad when it came to emmissions! Read more
The EGR valve on my 318 tds is in a filthy state......totally gummed up with carbon etc....
I am guessing the valve is sticking in the open position resulting in the mess in the inlet manifold and pipework.
Having googled the topic a bit it seems a lot of owners blank the valve altogether.
I am considering doing this and would like to know the best way to go about it..ie; block it at the exhaust manifold or inlet?
Seems to be a bit of conflicting reports regarding blanking it of, but would like give it a go anyway to see how it pans out.
Happy Xmass all. Read more
Happy Christmas everybody.
I hope somebody can point me in the correct direction?
I just noticed that the brake lights on our old AK have stopped working, (both stop lights). As it would unusual for both bulbs to fail simultaneously what is the most likely cause?
Is it a fuse? If so can you tell me the correct one to check?
If not a fuse then it is probably the brake pedal stop light switch. How often do they fail and how easy is it to replace. Access looks very difficult so any tips and suggestions warmly welcomed. Where would be the best, (cheapest) place to purchase the replacement part? I could go to a Citroen dealer but would a motor factor/Halfords/eBay have such an item?
To test the brake switch I take it I just short the two wires together. If the lights come on then I take it that the switch is faulty.
Thanks for your replies.
Q. Read more
Unfortunately Halfords does not stock this type of item, (they only seem to have rocker switches).
Looks like a few phone calls tomorrow or eBay.
Thanks for all your help.
Q.
What did you get this year?
Mine was a bit less 'technical' this time - a Top Gear book and calendar. Read more
DVDs of series one and two of Saxondale,he drives a Mustang.
Poole Borough Council insists on parking permits being displayed throughout the festive season. As Poole has demonstrated that it has an efficient spy service, watch out if you park here....
...but my own greetings to all posters on this site. Read more
Unlike nearish-by Christchurch Dorset who have suspended parking charges to help traders - Santa-type hessian
sacks over meters - a nice seasonal touch.
Still had to pay 60p for an hour's parking down the road at mudeford quay on xmas day though .. Bah humbug !
I have just bought a cheap and cheerful Astra F which drives superbly apart from clocks from the o/s front end. I have jacked up the car and nothing is loose and I suspect the fault is with the suspension bushes. Are these similar to the escort orion lower suspension arm where you just replace the whole item and are these known to be troublesome on the cars?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!! Read more
As a DIY task, when you aren't paying labour costs, it's not too difficult to press in a new rear bush.
If you cut out the inner with a strong knife, or just pull it our if it has already seperated, and then carefully hacksaw down the inner side of the metal cage, taking care to keep the blade straight and avoid cutting into the arm itself, after a while the cage weakens, and grabs the hacksaw blade. At this point, the cage can be tapped out of the arm with little effort.
Using the old cage as a drift, making sure to line the cut-out on the bush with the pip on the lower arm the new bush can be easily pulled in using a vice.
Of course, if there's anything else wrong on the lower arm, say the front bush, or the ball joint, then, it's better just to fit an arm as described above. I would spend the extra to get a good quality arm from a reputable source.
I have been changing the glow plugs on my civic ctdi, and the last one will not go in far enough for the thread to screw in ??
any ideas on what this could be, or how it could be sorted ??
thanks in advance !
ahmed Read more
Our W-reg Zafira MkI Auto has had a problem disengaging from Drive. As a temporary fix a local garage disconnected the interlock solenoid but I found out today that now the brake lights don't work! This is a major problem as we need to use the car over the Christmas holiday and we want to be legal. Any help how to get the brake lights working again gratefully received. I am a professional engineer so should be able to rig something up if someone can tell me what I need to do.
Also if anyone can point me to a wiring diagram (e.g. pdf) that would be fab. Read more
would appear that the switch is u/s try the above trick see if the lights are on if so its the switch if not its wireing/fuse issue there are/should be four wires black should be live from fuse,black and yellow go's eventually to the bulb via the autobox ecu,cruise control etc
Walking to the local shops this afternoon (walking a good move). Two lanes of solid traffic on one side of road. Hold up at two sets of traffic lights close together (phased to cause maximum delay). Police transit in queue, on blue lights, wig wags, siren, off down wrong side of road.
Initial thought, late for doughnuts, shift change, or something insignificant. No our BiB wouldnt do that I thought, must be an emergency. 50 yards past hold up lights and sirens off! A few minutes later an amulance heading for the nearby A&E went down the wrong side in the same direction with lights and sirens, Noticable difference in traffic getting out of way, it had a mutch clearer run. Read more
I am a grumpy old sod, I only give people the benefit of doubt at christmas, (sometimes).
When I was in a previous job my troops used to call me the "Wookie" as in big hairy grumpy gorrilla (swear filter). And yes I do have a beard.
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You can get these stickers at any www.dekra.de site.