January 2010
With so many cars these days how do we know that a particular system installed is relaible and robust, here where I live in the UAE this is serious issue, because when it gets hot in the summer it reaches 45-50c, this a proper system is crucial
How do we know if a car company has built a proper system with a good sized compressor that is relaible, to peole have any idea? Read more
This is in addition to another post on HJ, I need to locate the stop solenoid but simply cannot find it. I have the new one so I know what it looks like but simply cannot see it!
Help!!!!! Read more
Thanks for the pics. Well, it should be located under the metal bracket about two thirds of the way along on pic three, the pump looks different to the earlier one which I am familier with. I can see some wires to the right of the pump, one of these should go to to the stop solonoid, but I am wondering if you have one of the later type pumps that has the solonoid shielded for security. If there are several wires going to the pump that will be the case. I would suggest that you go onto the French car forum, they have some very knowledgable people on there who I'm sure would be able to advise you, my experience is with pre 2000 engines and although yours is basically the same there could be some differences. If you cant find the FCF let me know and I will give you the full address.
Now when I start my 1series BMW and the lights are set not to be on, the dipps do come on, then when I switch the setting to side lights the dipped lights still stay on and both my front and back fog lights continualy flash on and off, and then when I turn the switch to the dipped lights the lights go off.
The indicators do not stay on either. Read more
I checked the wiring diagram, and the only component that's common to both the hazards and the dipped beams is a thing called the "FRM footwell module".
Here's the part on realoem.com --> www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UF32&mospid...5
Here's a guy who had his short out, and the symptoms he experienced -->
www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6489127
My version of TIS doesn't have the document referred to (there's sod all info in the wiring diagram -- there's not even a wiring diagram!!!), it's Service Info doc 61 04 04 094 in case anyone else has access to webTIS or a newer CD TIS and can get you a copy of the document.
I'd remove the module, see if i could get inside it and look for obvious damage. I'd then try and work out if it was repairable by me. If not i might try a company like BBA Reman (google them).
Failing that, sounds like dealer would be only option left to me unfortunately.
I am thinking about purchasing an '04 reg 330Ci convertible with 42k miles from a two owner private sale. I am concerned about the service history as it been serviced 'independently'...as is my own 12 yo Mazda 626! The seller tells me it has 4 green lights.
Please can anyone advise what this means...
many thanks Read more
Thanks for all your replies. I looked over the car recently..it is a genuine 42k miles, and the service indicator shows that an oil change is due in 2k miles. The MOTs are in order, but the service book has not been stamped up and the owners say that their independent will do the Insp II if it has not already been done. No sign of any invoices though!
Hi guys.
I have searched all over the internet and this forum (as well as others) and i was hoping someone could really help me out with a problem i have.
I have just bought this car from a family friend. The car has been sitting on there drive for around 4 months and not being used very much.
The car idles slightly erratic at low revs and it feels like it wants to stall when pulling to junctions/roundabouts/lights etc..(but never does) There is a bubbling / gurgling sound coming from the engine bay which i think is to do with the aircon.
I had a mechanic check this out. He plugged in a diagnostic machine a no faults were registered. He thought that it might be the Idle control valve so he replaced that but it didnt change anything, so he put the old one back in.
I have just serviced it myself - changing plugs, oil and filter and air filter.
Also if i have the aircon on the car will not over idle, the gurgling sound kind of dissapears and the car doesn't feellike it will stalll.
Please help before i send it to the dealers. {please note that dealers starts with a d and not st} Read more
Update:
Car is now fixed. it needed a software update on the ECU.
Just bought this for £300, complete with Mot and tax! It drives beautifully except that when changing from 3 to 4 there is often a slight crunch. Given the price I can live with this - in fact I used to have a 740 that did exactly the same and that went on for years like that.... But I am wondering if this is likely to be a clutch or gearbox issue and, if the former, whether there is any prospect of adjustment so as to cure the problem. Clutch bites quite high btw. Read more
I doubt it as the crunching is due to insufficient friction on the synchro hubs so anything that lubricated them would make the problem worse. A hand full of sand might improve it but the rest of the box wouldn't last long. The best you can do is as suggested, drive in such a way that it doesn't crunch and it should last a long time - just pause between changes.
I recently took my car for a 50k mile oil service to a franchised dealer. Admittedly I had missed the one service before this as things were a little busy but thought I should now get it done. I should mention that I have always kept a close eye on the engine oil and always topped it up when needed.
The first time I drove the car after bringing it home from the service I heard a loud and disturbing noise coming from the engine so I chose not to drive it as a precaution. Called the AA and they said it most likely my crank shaft gone wrong down to there being no oil. I immediately rang the dealer and told them about it... then got the AA to transport the car to them so they could check it out.
Honda said the same thing, that the crank shaft had gone and the only real solution was to replace the whole engine at a cost of about £10k. My car is not worth a penny over £8k, hence making the car a write off.
Because I had taken the car to Honda for this precise service, and the fact that the car was in a fully working condition before I gave it to them, I hold the dealer responsible for the damage to the engine. However, they are accepting no responsibility for it and it is not covered under the insurance as it counts as a mechanical failure. How can I give a fully working car to what is supposed to be a reputable dealership and for them to return it to me in an totally unworking condition, then expect me to foot the bill for it? If they knew that there was a possibility of the car being damaged because of the work they were going to carry out then surely they should have let me know beforehand?
I have spoken to Trading Standards and they have informed me that the dealers are in breach of the "Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982" as they have failed to provide due care and attention to my car during the service and I am now entitled to have them fix or replace the vehicle. No prises for guessing what the dealer's response to this was...
Does anyone have any help or advice they can offer me on how to deal with this situation. Has anyone had a similar experience and what was the outcome. All comments and suggestions are grately appreciated.
Breaches of Name and Shame Policy removed. Read more
I find it very difficult to believe that 25k on the same oil would cause
a modern engine to fail outright at 50 000 miles.
I agree.
Depends on bit on type of use, I suppose, but many "prestige" diesel's allow themselves to go 20K between services as a matter of routine. I don't imagine a Honda engine is any less robust.
Interesting on the age and mileage of this car (5yrs/50K) - there was a thread a while ago from someone with a CRV of very similar age which threw a rod. Honda picked up the bill even though the car's last service had been at an indie.
The problem is that if Honda did accept liability then basically they'd be saying that service intervals don't matter and you don't need to get your car serviced.
Does anyone know where you can download a Haynes style manual for Honda Civics up to year 2000?
Its the 1.6 auto Im looking for
Thanks
Read more
I was looking more for a PDF, free download style. If not then Ill just buy one of them, thanks
I was wondering on the best way to avoid having problems with modern diesel D.P.F. They seem to cause no end of expensive problems.
As my next car will probably be a diesel I need some advice.
Looking at 1.6 to 2l diesel- Renault clio, Puegot 207, Ford Focus or similar. I would go for the BMW 318 or 320 D but too expensive for my cash purchase.
I only do about 15k/annum and I think I may be better off with Petrol.
Do they/the car tell you when you NEED to regenerate the DPF, or do you need a regular Italian tune up, which defeats the purpose somewhat.
I was thinking that diesel cars need some sort of exhaust temperature monitoring so you could be sure you were in the "zone" of good? exhaust temperatures. Read more
I've run a new Mondeo 2.0 TDCI with DPF for 21,000 miles over two years. 70% of my driving is short runs in urban limits of 5 miles or so. No problems with the DPF.
The Ford system has no warning lights (unlike VAG or Mazda systems) to tell you a regen is needed -- if the ECU thinks a regen is needed, it will initiate one itself.
The one thing I do ensure is to keep revs around the peak torque band (1,750 to 2,250rpm). This means good response when I need it, the engine is running most efficiently (minimal soot) and the exhaust temp is high.
21K miles and 2 years isn't exactly long-term, but the system has proven robust and effective so far.
Heartening piece on R4 today comparing the environmental friendliness of various modes of transport. It seems that because the number of bus passengers averages only about nine, a car with two occupants is actually a better bet. Of course, the bus will still be running, but it's not the line we usually get from the Greenies. I gather that similar arithmetic applies to trains... Read more
Exactly but oh no the bus has to be the best hated thing since a disgraced pop singer.
Browse
If you are living in the UAE, you just buy whatever the locals buy.