July 2010
I have a 97 fiesta 1.25 ghia. I was given it because it's riddled with problems and is a good place for me to learn on:
1. I have 1 red key and 1 black key. The red one starts the car, the black one opens the fuel filler cap. I cannot lock any doors as they wont unlock again. The boot is locked shut.
2. In the last couple of days the car wont start. It makes a clicking noise from the drivers footwell where I found the immobiliser.
3. I have no idea if the central locking works (becuase of the above problems) but I'm willing to bet it doesnt. I was planning on fitting a complete new lock and key set.
Unfortunately my Haynes Book Of Lies is useless!
Are these problems related? Could I fix them by installing the new locks and keys, or would I need to get an auto electrician in? I'd rather do it myself as I have vrey little funds for the project. Please help! Someone wants to buy it but I wont let it go unless it works! Read more
Got a noise on my car which I am trying to trace. It speeds up when revs increase. Its most noticeable on idle, but probably just drowned out by normal engine noise when driving. Sounds like a bearing failing or something rubbing.
Had a new cambelt, tensioners and water pump approx 3-4K ago. Took cam cover off at weekend and ran car but no sign of anything wrong there. Also suspected alternator bearings, so disconnected fan belt, but noise still there.... Read more
Has anyone any experience of the new Saet Automatics. My mother in law who is 82 has just bought one and finds when drive is engaged if the car is on any sort of slope it rolls backwards until the accelerator pedal is depressed a short way. This causes her a problem on a sloped drive. Any automatics I have driven always take up the moment you release the break. Read more
We are getting a number of reports of accidents when the person accused of causing it is adamant that the accident never happened and there is no damage at all to their vehicle. There seems to be a pattern. If anyone has had any similar experiences to the following can they contact me?
The first contact is usually either from the police or a solicitor working for the "victim". The damage is usually minimal and the accident is alleged to have occurred after someone is "cut up" in traffic. There is usually a photograph of the damage to the "victim's" car and a photograph of other car "driving away". The police are investigating possible charges for failing to stop and report. The solicitor - who may well be an innocent party and used to add credibility - writes to demand insurance details.There is usually a "witness". If there can be shown to be no damage the police will usually not pursue - presumably because there could be reasonable doubt but they add credibility to the real intention which seems to be a civil claim where the burden of proof is lower.... Read more
So if no damage can be found the police will usually not pursue,eh?
Well they should. Insurance fraud and wasting police time should do for starters. I'm quite sure that the former carries a custodial sentence....
I was up on the local escarpment the other day, looking down over the valley, where the river Calder meanders across it`s clay bedded floodplain.
A few hundred yards further, along the ridge, gapes the wide West facing mouth of Crigglestone tunnel - walled off at one end these last 40yrs or so and now the preserve of bats. Designed to take the West wind into it`s extra wide mouth and self clean, to purge the smoke from those chugging little steam engines that ran, over the path of the current M1, into the valley to the East of the ridge.... Read more
A different take on hybrid technology......
A car with wholly electric drive with the power and talk equivalent of (say) a modern 1.6 turbo diesel at least.... Read more
The Jag system fits into the current XJ bodyshell - most of the extra drivetrain equipment going where the autobox currently sits. No loss of any interior space.
Front r/h brake locks up on my 2002 astra intermittenly after about 30miles. I have been told that these calipers have a problem and are inclined to warp. Has anyone experienced this problem. I have freed up the piston on the offending caliper but problem returns
... Read more
I would check the flexible hose, it could be collapsing.
Hello,
I'm not brilliant with car repairs etc, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice...... Read more
Intermittent fault like that suggests flywheel position sensor. Internal wires are fragile and start either breaking or insulation starts failing.
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Hi all,
My brother has managed to break the radiator in his Ka. Before I travel the 200 mile round trip to give him a hand fitting the new rad, how easy is it to remove? Is it the usual front grill removal, hose pipe removal then four bolts or have Ford mananged to make it a bit more difficult for the home mechanic?... Read more
It's a ford Ka everything is simple if in doubt look at the Haynes manual.
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Hi
I have already posted about this problem with no luck as yet BUT could anyone tell me..... if there was an electrical problem with the C/L should i still be able to open/close this door manually ??... Read more
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Whats the problem? Diesels should sound like that
A lot of old Vauxhalls sound like taxis (which is indeed what they are or have been) or transit vans, so if yours sounds like a sewing machine, sweet!...