December 2009
Hi
I have never bought a car before without the advice of my Dad who worked in the motor trade for 40 years. He passed away last year and in 2010 both I and my Mom need to buy nearly new or new (me) and motability (Mom) cars.
My Mom drives a small scooter which I currently get into the back of my Fiat Marea up a small ramp - very easy because it has a drop back and flat entry so I just drive the scooter into the back (riderless - i.e. I drive it from the side of the scooter - hope this makes sence). This car is nearly 9 years old and becoming unreliable as it gets very little use - I want to trade this and my 9 year old Fiat Punto as well - so 2 cars will become one (I cant afford 2 cars anymore!)
We are both looking for small or medium sized estates or hatchbacks with flat entry into the boot - Can anyone help with makes/models that have this? Once I get a few names I can arrange test drives and look at reliability etc but at the moment I cant find anything!
Thank you in advance
Tina Read more
Evening,
Does anyone know where the flasher unit is on this car, is it the big orange cube in the footwell fuse box, i know this also function the rear heated windscreen, but could it do both?
Many thanks Read more
I would suggest re-check the fuses first.Not too concerned re the scorch marks on the prongs,this is fairly normal,provided the relay base/sockets are not melted.I think you will need to compare your brothers car to determine the exact location of the flasher relay.Listen /feel the clicking relay.There are lots of relay sockets ,some are vacant depending on car spec.hth
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Thanks all... I'll give those a look in the festive break.
I've recently been driving the wife's Focus and found that the AM reception is poor when the engine is running with all sorts of weird interference some of which sounds like some sort of digital interference as opposed to the normal sort of buzzing I've had in the past on old cars with poor aerials. She never uses AM but I like Radio 5 so is there any easy way of improving the reception? The car was bought from a Ford Direct dealer at about a year old and I've no idea if the problem's always existed or something's happened since she got it. Any advice gratefully received as always :) Read more
Thanks for that.
Just thought, is the radio supplied with these cars code protected? We've never needed to input a code and don't recall ever getting one when we bought the car so will we to use one if I remove and fiddle around with the unit?
TVM
Recently I put the car away on the drive for the night and locked it. It rained heavily and then froze a bit. By the morning the windows were all fully open and the car was dry. The keys sit on a hook at night so the opening button could not have been pressed.
My garage has not found anything wrong with the ECU and is making further enquiries.
It has done it before on very cold days, but then the windows only opened a bit.
Could it be the driver's door window seals letting water onto the door lock unit, as I notice these seals do not wipe the glass very well and could be worn.
I do not use my local Skoda garage as I was disgusted with the way they misdiagnosed a fault with my radio amplifier, but that is another story. Nick.E Read more
Many thanks for that..I will book it in and get the door looked at. Will let you know if any problems. N.
I know its a bit colder this time of year, but even when I let the car idle for 15 minutes or more the cooling fans do not kick in, even though the temp gauge is well up towards the high end of the scale. On another car I once owned, there was a away to force them on by unplugging a connector and shorting two pins - does anyone know how it could be done on this car?
BTW the car is not overheating at all, i'm just concerned that if and when needed they won't be available as they may have failed or seized. Read more
The Engine and fans are fine your aircon is knackered tho. Probably needs a top
up or it has a leak.
Would low A/C refrigerant cause the compressor to fail to activate then? If so, is it worth getting one of those 'top-up' cans from a motor spares stockist, or better to go for a Kwik Fit type place for a top-up? With the ambient temperatures at the moment, should the compressor still be kicking in when I demand the A/C?
First of all Hello this is my first post.
I changed the fuel filter and then spent about 3hrs pumping the primer. with no joy. I can hear air going through the the system but no diesel. I removed the filter housing cap to see if any fuel was getting through. But only air. There is a quarter of a tank in. Any ideas could it be the pump?
Cheers. kevin Read more
That would turn a 2 minute job into something a lot more. The problem we had was the Old primer pump was dead and after the autopsy on it the non-return valve was just floating around inside. And when I had changed it I didn't do a good enough seal. Just get this thing started and then I can relax.
Hello there folks,
Following on from the "Switches and controls you like-dislike" thread, I'd appreciate some advice please.
I have a 2003 Megane Expression and find the automatic wipers fairly infuriating. If it's just spitting with rain, they often flap about the screen like John McCrirrick having a fit and if it's fair chucking down they often stay resolutely still.
I've looked in vain for a way to switch them off and return to good old intermittent wipers but to no avail.
Does anybody have any pearls of wisdom, short of changing the car, please?
Many thanks. Read more
I knew it was you, RTB, I just didn't want to out you :-)
sorry about the duff info - I had access to a megane until monday !
Hi
Earlier this year I bought 56 plate D4D Avensis, 44000k, full Toyota service history - attracted by Toyota reputation for reliability. Since then, now having 2nd new turbo fitted, also a new pump did not fix a steering vibration/noise so a new steering rack going in today (all under warranty). Additionally, engine noisy very when cold, maybe injector noise - dealer says no problem detected.
Am I just unlucky or, as the warranty runs out in January, should I get rid of this car asap? Also, just found out on this forum about head gasket problems with this engine. Does anyone know how widespread this problem is?
If anyone can give me any feedback on any of these issues I would be very grateful.
Cheers Read more
I'm still not yet convinced that the Japanese makers have diesel development fully accomplished. The all important fuel systems are generally produced locally under licence from a European designer (often Bosch) with somewhat variable results.
When I see a fully Japanese designed diesel fuel system which has been in trouble-free production for about 5 years, I'll put my money on the table. Until then, if I had a requirement for the model on offer, I'd take the advice given above and buy a petrol engine.
So far, the only makers who have produced some (not all) good small diesels are French or German. As I had a specific requirement for a diesel, I bought a non-DPF VAG PD. So far, I'm very pleased with its performance, economy and reliability. At the time of purchase, it obeyed my "5 year" rule.
659.
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In this thread you may ask any question for which you need help, advice, suggestions or whatever.
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No Speeding, speed cameras, traffic calming
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www.honestjohn.co.uk/credits/index.htm )
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However, as has been said a couple of times, there is a wealth of knowledge in here, much of which is not motoring related, but most of which is useful.
This is Volume 332. Previous Volumes will not be deleted.
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When posting a NEW question, please "Reply to" the first message in this thread, i.e. this one. This keeps each question in it's own separate segment and stops each new question from getting mixed up in amongst existing questions. Also please remember to change the subject header.
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A window company using needles and acro props when replacing the window frames? 10 to 1 they didn't and hence the cracks.
We live opposite bay windowed Victorian houses, most have had new windows and I've never seen it done this way. Risky, but industry wide practice.
Alternatively the uPVC window may not be strong enough to support the weight of the bay which can cause cracking.
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MAny thanks to all those that helped with the search -and this is the result.......
Mom on the Motorbility scheme unfortunatly opted for a Ford Focus estate - I say unfortunate because the dealer pursuaded her to get the car without trying to get the scooter in first because they did not have one on the forcort to try out!!! Well it will not go up the ramp into the car because there is not enough clearance and the lip is too high. So Mom now dismantles the scooter and has to get a passerby to help her load it in the boot!! - Rubbish!! I'm now trying to get her to go back to Motorbility and get the car changed....