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• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - 2004 1.6 - engine weak! 7 May 2008 (Forum)
  Compression test by them shows 200psi on all cylinders (though curiously another garage showed low compression 130psi on one of them, which would start to explain all this) Why would one cylinder be weaker than the rest? No misfiring (ie ignition) problems. Could the ECU anti-knock feature come into play and cause the ignition to retard when it shouldn't? I have been trying to record this sound to make it plain.
• Mercedes Benz E-Class W124 (1985 - 2000) - 1994 E320 Coupe - Cruise Control problem 2 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  I've checked some of the many thousands of MB forums which basically seem to go in the direction of swapping out various expensive ECUs to see if the problem goes away. I'm guessing if I take the car to a MB dealer they will probably adopt the same strategy. {yes, you guessed it, another edit to put the year in the subject line.
• Rover 200 and 400 (1989 - 1996) - 216 (honda) won't start 12 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  Ruling out the inertia switch - would stalling the car have any effect on any ignition components like the igniter unit or the ecu. When I turn on the ignition I can also hear a hissing sound that comes from the region of the fuel injection components. This lasts for a bout two seconds and then dies away. Do you think all this unburnt fuel may have an effect on the catalyst if and when it finally starts?
• The Right to Repair Campaign 31 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  One way in which they are trying to do this is by using the car's electronic systems to effectively 'veto' any repairs until the replacement part is coded (or 'commissioned') back onto the car. Some BR's will be aware that this already happens when some ECU's, dashpanels, MAF's etc are replaced, but with about 50% of cars now using CANBUS it could soon be that even very minor repairs cannot be done (or cannot be completed) unless the car is taken to a franchised dealer and 'recommissioning codes' are paid for and input to the vehcle data network.
• Ford Mondeo 1995 idle speed control 28 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Finally, what is the implications of running the car without the MAF Sensor connected? It seems to run ok, but I would assume that thew ECU will eventually "learn" this and alter the way the car generates power? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated! Ta!
• 51 Mondeo Misfire 19 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  Oil and plugs were changed by a main dealer 3-4 months ago. There are no warning lights and a local garage checked the ECU and found no faults. I'm not keen on taking it in to the local Ford garage without some idea of where the problem could lie. I'm also aware we have a big cold spell coming and I need to get it sorted.
• Rover 214 Engine Stalling ? 24 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  I have rigged up an LED in line with the 12V supply to the pump so that I can eliminate any possible electrical fault in the ECU pump Relay or intertia switch. Any advice welcome.... Steve
• Exploding Corsa 1.0 Life (2003) 21 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Is anyone aware of similar problems with this car? I was told by manufacturers that all Corsas from this year need replacecment ECU's which the dealerships provide free under the warranty - would this have had anything to do with the explosion and fire or is that impossible to say? Also, insurers said I would have to provide evidence car had been serviced by dealership for claim to be valid.
• Italian Electrics 26 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  Apparantly when he told the dealer on the phone that he might disconect the battery overnight, he was advised not to as that would confuse the ECU and cause real problems. I know Italian electrics have had a reputation for being a bit eccentric in the past, but I thought they had got their act together by now. Or is he just unlucky. (With apologies to the Alfa fans on this forum)
• Vx Omega - how do u switch auto box on? 7 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  When he fixes the aircon he said he'd atke another look at the box. He has a new £7k piece of kit which plugs into the ecu giving fault descriptions as well as codes. As far as I can tell the auto box seems to be operating ok, altho it did clunk a little when not used for a week to start with between changes. I'd be grateful if anyone could shed any light on or ideas on this.
• Toyota Yaris - Keys and Deal questions 15 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  Thirdly, he hasn't got the master key, only one (slightly bent) normal key, and after a bit of research i've found out that getting a new master key could cost up to £1000 due to the ECU having to be changed in order to have a new master key! My Questions: Is this still a worthwhile deal? Is this master key issue really going to cost up to £1000? Would i be able to find service history for the car from Toyota?
• Xantia Misfiring 3 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  In addition I cannot get the twin radiator fans to kick in at the right temperature, although I know both fans work, as I put a probe between a terminal and earth to test them. Today, I formally threw in the towel after checking the following, Exhaust seal - good. ECU light - off. Fans - work but not via sensor located on Thermostat housing along with a couple of others - changed sensor - no avail. poor cylinder - none were obvious, disconnected each injector in turn and found no obvious pointers here.
• Engine vibration, Help. 7 May 2003 (Forum)
  Everything seems normal before the trip, … I checked the following items yesterday: - Check & clean the air filter, & everything seem normal - Check & clean the spark plugs, & everything seem normal (with the exception of the spark plug for the number 2 cylinder, it is a bit carbonised) - Check all the hoses & ducts for leaking electrical connections, & everything seem OK - Self-diagnosis for the ECU (modes III, IV & V) & there is no error message - If I increase the engine to 3,000 rpm, there is some abnormal sound (a bit “mechanical”, if you understand what I mean) around the catalyzer.
• Shock ! F1 gets interesting 16 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  Autosport have reported that the following will happen this year: Placing cars in parc ferme between final qualifying and the race (teams will be unable to work on them, except under strict supervision) Elimination of traction control, launch control and fully automatic gearboxes (possible derogation for all or part of 2003, to be followed by absolute enforcement in 2004, if necessary by standard ECUs) Elimination of pit to car and car to pit telemetry Elimination of all radio comminucation between car and driver Allowing only two cars per team (ie: no spare cars) Some REAL changes which should close up the grid.
• Tact or dynamite? 5 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  Now my question is this: as the work was carried out on behalf of the dealer do I have to pursue him for the cost or alternatively go after the warranty company who actually carried out the substandard work and risk losing 'good will' for the rest of the 6 months remaining on the warranty ( I have already claimed for a new ecu and power steering pump as they both failed not long after I had the car so that was about £600 worth)? There is a shadow over the warranty as the dealer gave out the warranty after the warranty company told them they would not warranty the car and have since ceased all business with this dealer.
• Wrong Spark plugs! 11 Jun 2002 (Forum)
  Fit a "non-genuine" spark plug in one of the latest Z-range Vauxhall petrol engines and the electronic control unit will not only recognise it but also categorise it, we are told, under a "misfire detection code." Then engine speed will be limited until you replace the plug and have the ECU reset at your friendly local Vauxhall dealer workshop. A Vauxhall spokesman says, rather aoplogetically, that his compnany is by no means alone in this and that it is "all to do with compliance with the latest exhaust emissions standards" end quote OK then gentlemen, please discuss.
• Unintentional Acceleration Syndrome 6 Jun 2001 (Forum)
  The problem is that any engine might suddenly increase revs at any time, either due to a minor fault, a hiccough, or because the ECU decides it needs to increase revs to protect the cat from unburned fuel. So any driving instructor or any car salesman who tells drivers to only use their right foot when driving an automatic is directly responsible for these accidents.
• 
  What's a good starter classic that's easy to maintain? 4 Sep 2019 (Ask HJ)
  My son wants to buy a classic car. His budget is £5k but will go to £10k for the right car. He is not mechanically minded so it must be reasonable to maintain....
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  Why does my Sierra have a metallic rattling sound at low revs? 19 Aug 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I have a Ford Sierra 1.6 petrol - the "lean burn economy engine". Unfortunately it suffered from hardened valve seats last year as it turned out not be...
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  I unknowingly bought a remapped van - do I have to pay to fix the problems this remap has caused? 5 Jun 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a 2013 Volkswagen Transporter from a Volkwagen commercial van dealer in Wales six months ago. I've already had the van back there for a couple...