September 2015
Happy Sunday All... Any advice much appreciated.
Just recharged the battery on an early A Class ('98 S plate A160), and having what appears to be a relatively common issue with the key fob and immobiliser. The battery has been completely flat for some weeks, now recharged without issue. The key fob however now fails to operate at all. The 'battery test' check indicates that the problem doesn't lie here; red 'battery OK' LED lights as it should, and the infra-red flickers when the lock/unlock buttons are operated. The fob will not operate the central locking, and on attempting to fire the car up the 'start error' message appears. The alarm also sounds at regular intervals all the time the battery is connected, as well as specifically upon attempting to start. This I presume is the car registering that it has been unlocked without talking to the key fob.
Having had a quick read it sounds most likely that the fob needs to be resynchronised with the immobiliser, but here begins the fun as it seems there is an endless array of 'informed' suggestions on how to do this; a baffling variety of different button pressing combinations abounds, further spiced up with numrous ideas of where one should put the key whilst merrily pressing away...
Any Merc fans on here have a sensible suggestion of how to get key and car talking once again? This has the hallmarks of a problem likely to be frustratingly trivial if you know what you're doing!
Thanks All :) Read more
Hello,
I travel fromBarrow-in-Furness, down to Essex, on Thursday evenings.... Read more
If traffic avoiding is key consider M6 south, A65 Skipton, A59 Harrogate, A1 south.
They are slower roads, but it avoids West Yorkshire conurbation and Midlands....
The lights on the heater control panel are not operating on my daughters car. Also no fan speeds at all.
It recently had a new battery fitted after the original failed.... Read more
Good to see you have it sorted.Just a little confused as to why somebody would move a relay when replacing a battery???Or is there is more to the story??
Seems to be one rule for toyota and the rest, and one rule for GM in the USA.
Thy have avoided another major criminal safety related court case despite strong allegations of cover ups.... Read more
Which would provide a more comfortable ride ? I know its individual choice but as a general rule.
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Thank you.
I have a max budget of £4,500 to spend on a used family car, with a mind to keep it long term. In an ideal world, I would really like a nice Mondeo/Insignia for comfort, space any toys. Trouble is, I only average 10-12k max mileage, mostly local driving, 18 mile round trips. I really want a diesel, as I love the power delivery and fuel economy, but I am scared of buying because of the dreaded four (DMF, DPF, Injectors and Turbos). I really don’t fancy a gutless petrol that’s bad on fuel either. I don’t have a spare £1000 in my back pocket for a diesel repair bill either. Not a good situation!... Read more
Yes, there is no DMF only a SMF.
According to HJ some had the turbo's detuned but I can't tell if mine was done. Its punchy and the power delivery is great....
Right, i changed my alterntor because it was failing, fitted a used used one the battery light was still on, done all the checks 3 pin plug was ok check the red wire for connectivity all was good. This was charging better than my last alternator was put it under load and it dropped below 12v and never raised to i was happy it was the alternator and was organising to get another sent out(budget as very low on cash at mo).
Well weirdly today i took my car out at risk of breaking down to sort some stuff out, parked up 10 mins later moved off and the light never came on again, it hasn't been coming that much now. This is the same problem my old alt was doin before the battery light would come o then go off and eventually would always come on 15-20 odd seconds after car started, with the light on my front dimister doesn't work either.... Read more
Well changed my alternator for a new one this time light is out. £80 for this alternator and 2 hours work happy man now!!!
Hi All,
I currently own a 04 plate ford focus 1.8tdci Zetec diesel, it's done 122,000 and it needs a new flywheel and cambelt, so time to replace I think!
I test drove a kia Ceed 1.6 crdi today which looked ok but the engine had no guts, especially when I got up to 40mph, turbo didn't feel like it kicked in at any point.
I drive 22 miles each way to work each day so would prefer a diesel unless anyone can reccomend a decent petrol car that's economical and reliable?
My main priorities are economical, safe, reliable....(the kia felt sluggish today, it may just of been a bad example though).
I almost went for another ford again but don't like the sound of the 1.6 engines with dpf and various other issues. I guess Hyundai i30's could be an option?
Many thanks and apologie for the length of the post, I'm really hoping for some decent help.
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I agree 100% with csgmart.
Any car at £4k will be well used; try to find one with a full service history and average mileage for the year, not too high and not too low....
hi i have a ford fiesta 2001 1.25 zetec my heaters will blow hot air for 30 seconds or so then cold then hot then cold when driving have just fitted a new heater control valve and still the same any ideas thanks Read more
Dear John,
as to me the new Suzuki Vitara compares in no way to the Renault Captur, the Opel Mokka, or the Citroen Cactus, neither to the Fiat 500 X whatever journalists might say.... Read more
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Was this ever solved?, I have the exact same issue with my 2002 A140.