July 2025
Hi could anyone advice or a small guide to changing the alternator on a xsara hatchback? I haven't done a alternator before but do general maintenance on cars. I'm trying to learn more each time a fault or issue comes up but this one's a bit daunting with having to remove the power steering pump and slackning the alternator drive belt from the pully etc. Is it a job worth attempting or could it potentially be a troublesome job which turns out to be more costly than me just taking to a garage. Any honest advice would be greatly appreciated as finding a guide or a Haynes manual guide appears so difficult for this car as all videos etc are either xsara Picasso or diesel variety. Afraid of not getting things back together or air trapped in power steering pump etc. Read more
Just got hold of younger daughter’s 52 registered Clio for the first time in a few weeks and noted that the brake light on the near side was flashing alternately with the indicator. Took out the LED 380 bulb and put in a new incandescent bulb and it’s better. Just a slight dimming of the tail light whilst the indicator is illuminated.
I’m thinking a new (used) bulb holder is next port of call? Read more
The fault is very likely to be in the multi pin connector itself . My fix is to add an extra wire from the circuit board on the lamp holder , to an earth point on the car . Usually find something behind the boot trim panel
I just had a new aftermarket exhaust fitted to my car by one of the big dealers after they reported the original was damaged. My neighbour pointed out to me that it looked very low as he spotted it while parking behind my car. Is this too low? It certainly looks like a high speedbump might make contact.
If so, what can I do? I paid a fortune for it because it is not covered in my extended warranty.... Read more
This is too low and potentially poorly supported. I would be astonished if any dealer would refuse to put this right if you take it back to them.
Good morning,
The air con on our 2016 Hyundai Tucson has stopped working. It runs warm and has developed a slight rattle type noise. My initial thought was to get it regassed. I took it to our local branch of ProTyres who very helpfully did a free check for me. It failed the vacuum test. So at least I didn't waste money on a regas. ... Read more
Thank you for your comments.
I will find an air con specialist....
I am thinking of buying a VW Touran 2.0 TDI DSG 2016 (66 reg) with 68,000 miles. Are there any key things I need to look at? There is no record of a timing belt change. Would it be sensible to negotiate a new timing belt as part of the deal or is this OTT in light of the the recent change in VW advice? Read more
I’d put a timing belt and water pump on it. But I wouldn’t touch a DSG auto outside of the original manufacturer warranty, they’re hideously complex and catastrophically expensive to fix when (and not if) they go wrong.
Hi.
After fitting a NOX sensor (mine only has one downstream), I've been told I will need to calibrate it. I have cleared the errors (P2202) and they haven't re-appeared. I've been told that some vehicle will calibrate themselves by "learning" during drive cycles - so doesn't need to be calibrated via a Diagbox scanner.
One guy wanted £120 (plus an extra £40 for a Peugeot token) to calibrate it using his scanner. So I'm totally confused what I need to do and to ensure the NOX sensor is doing what it should.
Any advice. The part number has been superceded but it's a genuine OEM NOX sensor (purchased online - not direct from Peugeot). Read more
I'm getting no further errors or warnings. My parania tells me I may be using more diesel but I never checked the mpg before. I can see the NOx sensor flucuate when there's load - jumping above 20ppm and going down to zero - so I assume the system can see it? Thing I'm worried about is that the ECU count shows no movement on the NOx Absorber Monitor (whatever that is?).
OBD-II...
I'm looking for a genuine part NOX sensor. I can get one direct from Peugeot at a cost of £365 but have found that Autovaux do the same OEM part for £200. They claim to be genuine parts but how can they do them so much cheaper? Read more
I'm looking for a genuine part NOX sensor. I can get one direct from Peugeot at a cost of £365 but have found that Autovaux do the same OEM part for £200. They claim to be genuine parts but how can they do them so much cheaper?
I'd think the sandard answer would be "because the markup from Peugeot is so huge".200 is probably still a very good margin.
Not having used the car for a few days, today I started it up, drove to a retail park a mile or so away, did some shopping and on return to the car turning the key produced lots of clicks but no turnover.
I found the Start Rescue app very easy to use to report my problem, location etc, the response promised a technician would be with me within 30 minutes ... Read more
Always have received excellent service from Start like HJ members but chose to move to Gem on my renewal as they got the top award in Which.
But on reflection maybe it’s best to take the feedback from this site....
... Read more
I'm told oil isn't supplied in this packaging in the UK, very mildly annoying if true since the containers are quite useful.
This kind of thing (leftmost container illustrated)...
Ford Focus 2006 1.6 Petrol, engine light came on diagnosed with a fault code P0153 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1. Should I just start off replacing the sensor or maybe cleaning it up & has anyone experienced this fault before & what was the cause/solution Read more
You need to be careful here . Some of these focus models have 4 lambda sensors, so it’s important to identify the problem part . Cleaning is a waste of time.
Thanks Andrew just found one now can't believe how much some are being sold for now haha