February 2009
I am looking for some advice on my 2002 focus zetec. During the winter months of freezing temps my car locks kind of froze in such a way that the handle lock stayed open, to get the door closed i must have forced it too hard and it has engaged the door key lock. Only problem is my two keys i have dont unlock it as they are not master keys. I am looking for some advice on whether i could take it to a ford dealer and if they would have a key that could unlock it without ordering me one for £65 or if there is any other way. Only other way ive heard is from a garage that they would have to break the door spring to get it open as they cannot get in to take the door off. Does it have to be a unique master key to open fords? I need help as im skint and could do with my passenger door working again!
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I have a pair of pliers bought in 1975 at a BP petrol station. Cost me £2.50, which would be expensive these days but they are still in use. Who here owns an older tool?
(I do have some spanners from my father's 1963 Jag but that does not count as I did not pay for them) Read more
I have some very old tools which have been in our family in some cases since the late 19th century. Some of them are generic spanners and screwdrivers and so on which were almost certainly used on the various motorbikes and cars which came and went with the generations. I still use some of them. My mother also has some watchmaking tools from the same era which were passed down to her along with some fob watches made by her father.
1998 vectra 2.0L auto over the last few weeks i have noticed my mpg is getting worse... ive just have a service and cam belt change. what could be the problem ? it runs fine but i have noticed what could be wet petrol or oil on the exhaust around the outside of the exit pipe. Read more
was getting around 34 but now max is 25mpg.
I have used it before but have forgotten the website address.
Can anyone remind me how to find out a vehicles details from it's reg no., I know there is a site that provides this info.
My O/h is thinking about getting a scooter, she saw one she liked today, didn't know the make but got the reg no. Read more
www.askmid.com has previously posted on this forum several times, but it doesn't seem to be working correctly tonight for some reason.
EDIT - link now working correctly.
In my old car I used Excellium petrol and found it was economical ,so I was pleased when my local Total garage started stocking Excellium Diesel. I topped up with approximatly 35ltrs and the early indications were that I was getting better MPG.
After about 100 miles I started experiencing sudden loss of power which could only be rectified by pulling over and stopping for a couple of minutes . After the problem occured more frequently I took the car into my Ford garage who after putting it on his computer got the report that there was water in the contacts . He found the contacts on the ERG ( the thingy that recycles the exhaust to clean it ) were wet and the filter was also. Contacts dried and new filter now all is OK.
Whilst researching this problem I came across a Lexus Owners club website and they were reporting the same problem with their cars also associated with Excellium Diesel .
Has anybody else experienced problems with this fuel ?
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(That's how the article is named, couldn't do it better myself)
my.telegraph.co.uk/cheech/blog/cat/motoring - first three pics and explanation underneath.
If he hadn't run out of fuel he may never have known... :-) Read more
I've bought an 02 model but there's no service book with it..
Need to check the fuses on the interior lights door sensor and the front fogs although fitted don't work..
The lights work when I unlock the car with the remote but not if the car is unlocked and I open any of the doors..
The front fogs are fitted (well they are there) but don't work when I switch them on, rear fogs work though....
Sorry forgot to ask where the fuses are and if they're the same???
Not even sure where the fuse box is?
Also no power going up long hills and really bad starter in the morning.... any advice??
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Due to the heavy downpours of late our wagon seems to cut out whenever we hit a puddle of any sort or konks out in real heavy rain. However will eventually get going but with effort after a long wait and alot of trying. Can anybody help in this matter or know what might be causing this ridiculous problem. PLEASE
{subject header expanded to give a brief description of question being asked} Read more
Likely water is getting onto old cracked HT leads/dizzy cap/inside dizzy/plug connectors onto spark plugs. First port of call change HT leads, check dizzy cap for cracks/dirt and replace if at all suspect. Maybe renew plugs at same time. Cheap from GSF or ECP
My wife travels about 3.5K miles a year only. Mostly reasonably local travel. The car has always received full servicing at the main dealer. It is about time I did a bit for her. Apart from the oil and filter changes is there anything that I should be wary of? The car runs well, no odd noises etc ? Read more
Petrol or diesel? Mazda's handbooks are usually quite comprehensive regarding servicing detail.
I have just had my 206 1.4HDi serviced at 60000 miles including an auxillary belt change as there was a rattle from the offside of the engine. The technician was going to change the belt tensioner and idler but said he checked them with a stethascope and the rattle was not coming from either.
The rattle now seems worse and the technician said i need to take the car to the main dealer as the noise is coming from inside the engine.
Has anyone had any experience of this problem. I am hoping to avoid a costly main dealer bill.
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Try a liberal squirt of WD40. It worked for me when the door locks of my last Focus went all quirky.