June 2015
A friend of mine has a problem with arthritis, especially left knee. I know things always depend on specific details but I am wondering about a general principle.
It is considered better to keep using a joint, but should this be varied when driving ? Would it be better to eliminate need to use left leg for gear changing, i.e. go automatic, or is it better to keep going as long as possible with manual. ... Read more
Shortly to purchase a car with an electronic handbrake. Whilst I understand how it works (I think) being long in the tooth and finding it harder to assimulate new gadgets any advice from those that have it would be appreciated.
Will it be possible to control 'creep' as I can with the lever handbrake without recourse to foot brake.... Read more
"Get with the times folks, get with the times"
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Hello
My Honda Jazz failed to start last week. The RAC man thought it was a problem with the key, because I had dropped it (albeit from only about a foot and onto a thick carpet). I bought the car second hand in 2010 and it only had one key, so we didn't have a spare to check this theory. ... Read more
I've just had another thought. How do I know there was ever really a fault on the immobilizer? The first parts the garage changed were the immobilizer and the transponder. The car then wouldn't work. So they changed the ECU and God knows what else and still it wouldn't work. Finally, they ordered me a new key. The car works. But isn't the transponder in the key? So why didn't it work on Monday, when they fitted the new immobilizer and transponder? If it needed a new key, how can I trust it really needed a new immobilizer after all?
Aargh!
My 6 year old Vauxhall Zafira recently passed its MOT test which included fitting 2 new front tyres. This is the third set of front tyres to to fitted in the last 10,000 miles ( ten thousand miles ) I am a careful driver and am aware of how to avoid speed hump damage etc.
The car is mainly used for the school run and a daily cummute to work of 5 miles.... Read more
I ran my Astra (same chassis) with tyre pressures of 30 psi and ran into the same problem. Past experience of older lighter cars!
You need to use pressures as specified in the manual. I go with recommendation +2 psi.
Not had the problem return after 20k sad part-worn Michelins.
Easiest way to change front lightbulb especially near side is to take it to Halfords, £18.99 for supply and fit. It took the Halford's guy 5 minutes !! Read more
Amateur.... I can do it in 15 minutes tops. Not an easy job by any means but once you know the method it's not that difficult.
A new thread, as long ones are hard to read on an ipad!
Previous thread here:... Read more
Have no fear - your original thread convinced us that driver error was unlikely. And - touch wood - this hasn't happened to you again since 2015.
The bad batch theory (Andy) and varying standards according to where manufactured (Skidpan) seem to me to make the most sense: probably as near as we'll ever get to an answer.
Hi Overheat problem. Cooling fan not working under normal conditions. If sensor on the block is disconnected, the fan will run. Sensor replaced, assumed working ok. Relay & fuse OK. Non AC engine. 2003. 1.9 Read more
By disconnecting the temp switch you have proved that the fan circuit works.It would appear that the position of the switch is not reaching the reqd temp for it to activate.There could be a coolant flow or air lock issue.
Is it worth checking the low speed resistor?...
Hi Honest John and Co,
I apologize in advance for this long email but I have tried to provide as much information as possible so as to get the right advice for my car.
I have a 15 year old Audi A4 1.9TDi SE (automatic tiptronic, 4 door saloon, B5 model, engine code AJM, 85KW, 115bhp, on a 2000 X plate with 100,000 miles on the clock, VIN= WAUZZZ8DZ1A052193, Model Designation 8D2 OFK 3526492) which has the following warning lights present on the dashboard:
1. Red Airbag warning light permanently on after ignition and whilst driving.
2. ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) warning light which stays on after ignition and whilst driving. Then on some days this light will not appear at all on the dashboard for the entire journey and on some days appear after braking at traffic lights and stay on for remainder of the journey.
3. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) warning light comes on at the same time as the ABS warning light and stays on after ignition and whilst driving. Then on some days this light will not appear at all on the dashboard during the entire journey and on some days appear after applying the brakes in traffic and then stay on for the remainder of the journey. No other warning lights appear when the ABS and ESP light comes on (except the Airbag warning light).
The VCDS (VAG COM) scan on the ABS Brakes identified fault code 65535 (Internal Control Module Memory Error 35-00). Other information from the VCDS scan on the ABS are as follows:
Component = ABS/ASR 5.3 Front D00
Coding = 00011
Part Number = 3BO 614 111
Label = 8EO 614 111 ASR.lbl
Shop # = WSC 06435
VCID = 53A565D9A194C3B983D-5140
I also have the same fault code 65535 (with 00-10 intermittent) for the Airbags from the VCDS scan. There are 4 airbags (1x front driver, 1x front passenger, 1x side air bag driver side and 1x side airbag front passenger).
The log of VCDS scan fault code 65535 on the Airbags sub-section states its intermittent (code 00-10) but the Airbag warning light is on permanently.
Other information obtained from the VCDS scan on the airbags is as follows:
Airbag label= 8DO-959-655-AI8.lbl
Airbag part no.= 8DO 959 655J
Coding = 01104
Shop #= WSC 06435
Component = Airbag front + Seite 1001
VCID = 3D71236137025C9459-517C
As a side note I ought to mention that before I had the Airbag and ABS light issue I used to get a "short circuit" every time I used to charge my mobile phone in the car via the cigarette lighter socket. As soon as the phone charger was connected and at some point I applied the brake pedal then there would be a single loud beep followed by a red warning light on the dashboard referring to the rear brake light bulb. The warning light on the dashboard would then stay on until the phone charger was removed.
On longer car journeys with repeated braking the rear brake light bulb would actually blow and need replacing. I changed the mobile phone charger several times but I still got the same issue as mentioned above. In the end I just stopped charging my mobile phone via the cigarette lighter socket. I wonder if this contributed to the ABS and perhaps even the Airbag fault codes?
I should also mention that I checked the ABS and ESP fuses in the fuse box (which was located at the end of the dashboard on the drivers side) and to my amazement I found the fuse slots at position 16 for Anti-lock brake system and ESP (5amps) missing as were the fuses at position 41 for Anti-lock brake system (hydraulic modulator/pump (25amps) and at fuse position 42 ESP (25amps). When I telephoned my local mechanic he said that I should not be worried about them missing from the fuse box as they are probably in another second fuse box but could not say where that was.
Is it possible that the missing fuses for the ABS and ESP are the cause of the VCDS fault codes for the ABS?... Read more
Hi Steveieb, I have not resolved my problem. So far I have had replies from just two airbag companies who have said that the VCDS fault code 65535 means I have to change just the airbag control module (located behind the radio/cassette/cd player and climate control unit) and not change the entire airbag system.
Both companies have suggested I buy a brand new one from AUDI dealership for £482 or buy a reconditioned or used one (making sure it has been tested, reset and recoded) from Ebay (prices range from £79 to £161) or buy one from a scrapyard making sure it has the same part number as my old one. With the latter there are obvious risks associated i.e the airbag module may have crash data and /or have deployed the airbags already etc....
Hi All.
I am in the process of sorting out a bent valve on a 2009 Nissan Qashqai with a renault 1.5dci engine fitted.... Read more
It might be stating the obvious but you should use new bolts too.
Going along this evening, SWMBO said look...
A moncyclist with a fag in one hand and a mobile phone in the other.... Read more
With one eye covered by an iPatch.....
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I remember a football player a ew years ago got a Ferrari, he got knee problems and it turned out to be the heavy clutch on the car. Auto would seem the best solution for your friend to make life easier.