March 2014
Hi All , I have just bought a 2003 Ford Focus GHIA which comes with the 6000 AM/FM CD player. It is connected ot the steering column controls and I want to replace it with a single din SONY head unit that I have taken from my previous car. I have the fascia fitting kit but I am struggling to find a wiring loom to connect it.
The back of the factory fit stereo has 3 blocks , one long yellow with 8 female connectors and 2 black, one half black and half red with 7 females and the other with either 16 or 17 female pins. ... Read more
Dont get caught some have?... Read more
I winder when Actionfraud will start alerting people to the same scam which involves a private company placing a notice on your car, or sending a similar demand through the post?
Just wondering where HJ gets the info on faults for the "What's Bad" part of the car reviews? I can't see an obvious place for users to report faults, other than mentioning them on the forum or using the "ask a question" facility. Read more
I sent him an email about the high cost of rear wheel bearing renewal (part of the hub as is now common) on one car, within a few days it was listed on the whats bad section.
CH is on timer for HW and CH. Both came on this morning. CH for 2 hours timed. HW on for once.
Noticed about 11.00 that the HW was on the CH off as indicated, yet there was heat coming from the radiators. There should be no heat from the rads. Has a valve gone at the boiler or is it something else?... Read more
"...these valves go wrong pretty regular. Is there not a more reliable unit available?"
It does seem a very common problem. My heating engineer (who replaced one of mine last autumn) said it was very hit-and-miss and he had known examples that lasted for many years, while others fail after a short life....
I'm wondering about buying the next vehicle at auction. I did so with tha last one and saved about 20% on the dealer price. I was quite selective and did my research, and went to a BCA centre on a day when there were about 5 of the cars I wanted being auctioned by Motability, so I knew they had low mileages and were just out of warranty. I was prepared to take a punt on the car not being a dog in exchange for the reduced price.
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When I ran company cars, we ensured the drivers knew and signed off to making good any repairs caused by their crarelessness etc
That is the policy at our company. Strange how the MD's car is the most battered....
I've disconnected my battery due to having work on it and I don't have my radio code and it's asking me for it please can anyone help the serial number is m053992 thanks in advance if anyone can help Read more
That will be 6147
I am considering buying a Prius and am reassured by its reliability including past 100k. However I am still concerned to know whether, in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, will I be forced to take it to a main dealer or Toyota specialist, or is it likely that most independents have now got sufficiently up to speed to do the job? Read more
I'm interested in seeing how this plays out over the next year or two. I quite fancy a hybrid for my next car and its basically a choice between a Prius and a Insight on my budget. However as the toyota garages I've dealt with couldn't diagnose a flat tyre I always held back as I'd want an independent to service/maintain it.
Considering the 'laptop says no' attitiude of some main dealer mechanics there must be some pretty skilled and sharp independent mechanics who would find this area profitable.
My wife has a Nissan Note and I currently have an 03 Ford Fusion, basically I'm looking to part ex my fusion against something newer ideally 09-11 plate, when it comes to cars I'm insanely boring & practical, I'm after a car that's reliable, has low running costs (tax & mpg), and can easily carry five plus luggage, including a push chair. In short I'm after something like the note but slightly bigger.
I had narrowed my choice to; Ford Cmax, VW Golf plus SE, Toyota Verso and possibly the Honda CRV, price wise apart from the CRV all these cars are all pretty similar, I looked at a CMAX yesterday and to say i was disappointed is an understatement, great size, apparently reliable and cheap to run however that rear centre seat defies logic, what were Ford thinking?, I'm sorry Ford but the Cmax is not a five seater. In addition I do like the Touran and Zafira but running costs and reliability aren't good, is the Altea XL worth a look. ... Read more
Mazda 5?
RE. the answer by HJ to the question in the Telegraph motoring column on 28 Feb.2014 from a reader whose son had his Landrover stolen. My son lost his VW Golf at less that one month old despite it having the very latest and 'best' alalrm / immobiliser. It was the cheapest version of the diesel Golf and he thought that nobody would bother stealing it. When I discussed with my son his buying a steering wheel crookbar he said that a car next to his had been broken into a week earlier and the crookbar almost broken apart as the would-be thief tried to get it off. Failing that the 'lowlife' then took out his spleen on the car upholstery and dash, slashing and gouging. Therefore my son discounted the use of a crookbar.
I've had the same crookbar now through four cars and always use it, leaving all the lockers and hatches open. Read more
Hi all,
I've recently had some work done on my fiesta and the garage had to disconnect the battery. The number written in the book doesn't work so the radio may have been changed prior to my ownership. The serial number is: M532644. If anyone could help out I'd be very grateful.
Many thanks in advance, Jason Read more
your code lists as 1570.That will be me help helpful,then!
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The adaptor lead is correct,but you will need the original sony lead from the radio to connect it to this adaptor.The steering column paddle controls will not work,unless the sony radio will take an interface for it to function.