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• carlton start problems 30 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  If i leave it for 20-30 minutes and try again she starts right away, i have checked all the usual stuff ht leads battery connections & so on. Everything seems to suggest a problem with the E C U I would be extremly gratefull for any suggestions thanks and a merry christmas.
• 16 valve zx 28 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  this however does not effect the performance of the car, But wonder if anyone owning one of these vehicles would be kind enough to have a butchers under the bonnet of theirs & let me know where the pipe work leads to from the vacuun diaphrams & the ACAV system ? I have tried citroen head office & various dealers but they seem reluctant to release this information ? Hopefull J.C. Oxfordshire/Bershire
• Rover 220 Coupe Problems 21 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  I've tried disconnecting the following to determine a problem: Lambda Sensor ATS CTS TPS Idle control stepper motor Changed fuel relay, HT Coil, rotor arm and lead to distributor. Rover dealer had the car for a week and found no problem but tightened an earth connection. Problem returned the next hot day. Really stratching my head now and would appreciate any help.
• RAC breakdown cover update. 3 Apr 2002 (Forum)
  I was chuntering that the building societies had just been pulled up for disadvantaging the existing members in favout of new business etc etc. Thanks for all the replies, I did follow several leads up and came close to a switch. However phoned the RAC today (one day before renewal) and put the case to them again, keep a customer etc etc, they finally agreed to renew for £43. Basic recovery for self plus SWMBO, both any vehicle and as a passenger.
• our Fred 12 Mar 2002 (Forum)
  Just watched Fred Dibnah explaining the engineering skills and achievments of our ancestors. It makes one proud of this small island nation which could lead the world in feats of engineering and skills. Should be mandatory to teach this in our schools instead of alien cultures. And today we don't even produce in any quantity motor vehicles which in todays world are fairly low tech products.
• jetta ignition problem 3 Nov 2001 (Forum)
  The Crypton tester shows an intermittent (every 10 to 40 seconds) loss of spark, the Crypton signal "breaking down in the middle of the scale as if turning up a resistor in the ignition circuit". He has borrowed the following components from other vehicles: coil, ECU, amplifier, leads and has fitted a new distributor, all to no effect. He is now suggesting there may be a fault in the loom. Any suggestions would be very welcome!
• Focus 2.0 engines 22 Aug 2001 (Forum)
  Eventually, the dealer identifed the problem and fitted the kit supplied by Ford. All well and good except that the revs still don't die as quickly as they should do (leads to jerky gear changes in the lower gears), and the new induction noise is dreadful (sounds like a sports manifold/exhaust). Its going in for its 12 month service on Thursday, so I would appreciate any (constructive) advice, especially from any other affected owners.
• Diesel injector Wear. 18 Apr 2001 (Forum)
  THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AS THEY ARE, AND YOU WON'T NOTICE MUCH DROP OFF IN ECONOMY, BUT THE SPRAY PATTERN WILL BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, LEADING TO PREMATURE BORE WEAR BY 140,000 - 150,000 MILES." My question is: Is this injector wear/bore wear problem specific to VW TDIs, or does it apply to all diesels? I have a Peugeot 405 turbo diesel, which has an indirect injection engine.
• Old Polo rickety starting 28 Mar 2001 (Forum)
  Once it's warmed a little it runs fine. I haven't been able to replicate the problem for a garage. The coil, cap, rotor and leads are all Bosch and 2 years old. The cooling system has been flushed and anti-freeze mix filled. I have noticed that my neighbour's car (a J reg Peugeot 106) does exactly the same thing, as does my grandparent's C reg Honda.
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  Distract curse 18 Apr 2009 (Ask HJ)
  As an engineer and a regular reader of your splendid column, I was interested by two recent correspondents, who presented opposing views regarding road...
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  How can I reduce wind noise in my car? 4 Dec 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2018 Ford Focus Vignale and there's really extreme wind noise from the top leading edge of the driver's door/door mirror area. I've watched a...
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  Does a car manufacturer have to keep spares for a discontinued model? 2 Oct 2024 (Ask HJ)
  Does a car manufacturer have to keep spares for a discontinued model? I have got a Renault Koleos 2018 and cannot get a blower motor (to demist windows...
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  Can I use an extension lead with my EV charging cable? 20 Jun 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I have just bought a second-hand low milage 2022 Vauxhall Mokka E and I live in an apartment on the ground floor at the back of the apartment block. I...
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  Is there a standard for paint thickness? 2 May 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently purchased an A5 Sportback and noticed quite a lot of chipping occurring to the leading edge of the bonnet after only 8k and less than a...
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  A website called car-rate.co.uk has charged me a £100 fee - how do I contest this? 30 Mar 2023 (Ask HJ)
  www.car-rate.co.uk have hit me with £100 fee. Can I contest as I do not remember using this site?
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  Dealers seem to be very unhelpful about ordering a new car, what's going on? 22 Jun 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I want to order a new Skoda Kodiaq. You'd think that Skoda dealers would be biting my hand off post-lockdown, but no. They don't know what models they...
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  Is there a way of establishing the name/location of previous owners of the car that I've bought? 18 Dec 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I have bought a 1990 SAAB 900. On the V5 Doc it states that it has had 6 previous owners. I have extensive paperwork from day 1, but can only see details...
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  Is my driving style to blame for damaged brake pads and discs? 27 Apr 2017 (Ask HJ)
  Since retiring, I use my car a lot less. When I went to have my two year old Toyota Yaris serviced at the main dealer, I was told the brake pads had rusted...
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  Can I use super-unleaded fuel in my Volvo 850? 20 Feb 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I have just acquired a K reg Volvo 850 GLT with just 25,000 fully-documented miles on the clock. Is it okay to use super-unleaded fuel in this car? Also,...
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  what is wrong with my motor? 3 Jan 2016 (Ask HJ)
  so in a nut shell the car overheated. it went well in the red on the gauge the fan kicked in and the the heater stopped blowing hot air. fast forward to...