Ive only had the car 4 months, its just passed the 103k mark, there is something handwritten on the engine bay with a marker pen saying T/Belt 87,000... I assumed thats when it was changed last?

Any ideas how long these are meant to last? A lot of forums say 72k? my local indy garage said 20k?

Timing belt drives the camshaft.Must be ok if the engine runs.Poly vee aux drive belt drives alternator,pas pump and a/c pump.This could have failed or the crank pulley has self destructed resulting in loss of drive to your auxiliaries.hth

Thanks for the advice...

I've just managed to get access to the battery and it looks in pretty decent nick, but then again it is protected from the elements under the seat! This may be irrelevant but the battery is french. More than likely the original?

The car is 9 years old.. do you think there is a strong chance that a new battery may be all thats required? Do you think its worth charging this one first?

There is instructions on the battery, in french about how to connect. Cant understand them. Am I right in thinking you remove the - first, then +, then reconnect via the reverse process?

Edit - something I forgot to mention... I had the gear connector cables replaced about 2 months ago and since then the radio stopped working. Wont switch on and makes a strange clicking sound now and again as if its trying to eject a CD. Was going to have it checked come MOT time. Ive also just remembered that the car wont always lock with the remote, as if all the doors arent shut, when they are! - could this be all interlinked with lack of power from the battery?

Edited by BrianTheLion on 18/08/2011 at 09:26

Be careful when you replace the battery on an XPic you must use a 'gel' type not a regular lead acid type. Reason being as it's located in the passenger compartment and if you turn it over, you don't want sulphuric acid sloshing around the passenger compartment.

Very good chance it is the original mine lasted eight years. Having the battery inside protects it from extremes of temperature etc. It's a good design. From your posts -go check your alternator belt.

Thanks, I'll get the alternator belt checked before I mess about with the battery...