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• New car advice - downsizing 6 Feb 2023 (Forum)
  Higher spec models would be more desirable, and I recognise that certain brands have extremely long lead times. Shortlist at present is, (and in no particular order) 208, Clio, Fiesta, Ibiza. Any thoughts much appreciated.
• Vauxhall Frontera sports - Alarm immobilizer thatcham vauxhall Frontera sport 20 Apr 2020 (Forum)
  I have to keep unlocking and relocking drivers door and wait and try again until it starts. Failing that I disconnect one lead and try again, then the other. Sometimes both and leave it sitting for some time. Then it starts or it doesn't. I go back to relocking doors to unlocking and keep repeating process until it starts.
• Land Rover Discovery 3 TDi - Discovery ice problem 15 Apr 2020 (Forum)
  Left idling for 2 hours and engine heat melted ice and all OK. Q. Why on earth do LR rely on air bubbling through water, in the pipe leading up to the manifold, to dry. Cure. Either suck air in from inside the engine compartment instead of the side of a front wing OR fit a solenoid operated drain valve where water collect, open when the ignition is off.
• immobilize immobilizer? (Car won't start... blinki 24 Jun 2019 (Forum)
  The little "car and key" icon continues to flash on the dashboard, which means that the anti-theft device (immobilizer) is active. I've tried the following: - disconnect the battery and touch the leads together for 20 seconds - open all doors (hood and trunk), close them all, reactivate the alarm - try several keys (I have three keys that have been "paired" to this car) - insert key in door lock, turn to left and hold, turn to right and hold, unlock.
• Ford Focus Mark 2 - Ford Focus mk 2 - engine shaking when idle 11 Feb 2019 (Forum)
  I'm going to buy a new socket from Halfords tonight, however I've also just called a garage at the end of my road (who I don't really trust) and they've told me the coil pack and leads will also need replacing - is this true, or will just the spark plugs suffice? Obviously I'd rather not pay a garage for something I can do myself. Thanks in advance.
• Ford Galaxy - 2016 Galaxy - major air con issue, no parts avail! 26 Jun 2018 (Forum)
  Is this a known problem on the new generation Galaxy/SMax? Guessing it must be if parts are that unavailable and on such a long lead time. Thanks Andy
• Any - Cheap Reliable People Carrier 16 Aug 2017 (Forum)
  Now after an expensive year (injectors and other issues after the relatively short warranty expired) it is another non-runner. The engine shakes more than the Austin Cambridge I owned forty years ago did after a plug lead fell off! Also, purely executed previous bodywork repairs are showing through. They still insist they need a people carrier and it must be diesel for economy. So what model would you recommend for a £5k budget?
• Ford Galaxy (2006 - ) - 2005 1.9TD Fuse box burning out 21 Nov 2015 (Forum)
  I am now on the 4th fuse box unit, it's the one beside the battery and it's the same terminal that melts each time where the lead runs in from the alternator. Ford replaced the first one as it was under warranty but that went 9 months later last November and I've just replaced it again. Ford - and VW apparently - claim there isn't a problem but something must be causing it to overheat.
• Vauxhall astra - How much use to keep battery charged 22 May 2015 (Forum)
  Until this year it gave no problems on its previous regime of daily Monday to,Friday trips mostly of about only a mile. However a few times recently I've needed to use jump leads to get the car started. I then give it a quick 10 mile trip and all is well for a week or two before it recurs. The battery is around five years old but the garage says it tests as being OK. We do have an intermittent yellow dash light that seems typical of aged Vauxhalls but I don't think that has any bearing on battery charging?
• Renault Kangoo 1.9D 2001 - Very rough running - Injectors? EGR Valve? Help!!! 21 Jan 2015 (Forum)
  When I bought this vehicle back last summer it would often run rough on idle as if it was 'misfiring' or was a petrol engine with a plug lead removed. I have lived with the problem but its got a lot worse recently and in 'kangarooing' even when driving normally which it has never done before. When idling the engine will act as if I am blipping the throttle, run rough and smoke then after a minute or so clear itself before then happening again 10-20 seconds later.
• Renault Kangoo 1.9D 2000/Y reg - Really Rough Running - Injector(s) faulty?? 21 Jan 2015 (Forum)
  When I bought this vehicle back last summer it would offen run rough on idle as if it was 'misfiring' or was a petrol engine with a plug lead removed. I have lived with the problem but its got a lot worse recently and in 'kangarooing' even when driving normally which it has never done before. When idling the engine will act as if I am blipping the throttle, run rough and smoke then after a minute or so clear itself before then happening again 10-20 seconds later.
• Peugeot 1007 - Peugeot 1007 Dead Locked 17 Sep 2014 (Forum)
  The key will not electrically or manually open the doors. I have seen suggestions that you can jack the car up to remove the engine cover and connect jump leads to the starter motor to start it or get the electrics working and open the doors. Only problem is, the car was left in gear so it will jump forward and won't start anyway. I'm guessing the only way in is to break a window.
• Nissan Micra K11 1275cc V reg - Engine misfiring at irregular intervals 14 Sep 2014 (Forum)
  My micra distributor packed up after 15 years of trouble free driving (140,00 on clock). Garage put new one in, replaced plugs and HT leads and since then it has frequently lost power and then completely skipped at irregular and unpredictable intervals. Only when cruising rather than accelerating. Never quite stalls and then the engine catches back up.
• Ford Focus 1.8tdci 03 - Ford Focus 1.8tdci engine blown after work done 31 Mar 2014 (Forum)
  Hi forum my first post, ok so I bought a focus 1.8tdci and had work done flywheel & clutch and full service and new cam belt kit, after driving the the car for approximately 5 miles while the car was stationary with the engine running,  I quickly ran into shop for some ciggrettes leaving a friend in the car, the engine stalled by itself with a clink sound, now after towing the car back to the garage I had the work done the mechanics telling me the fuel pump seized leading to the new cam belt to snap.  Does that sound right or is he having me on, and he made some kind off mistake love to hear from you guys and oh he asking for £500 for a second hand engine already spent near £500 on it
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Looking to buy C-Class or alternative 10 Mar 2014 (Forum)
  We generally do about 10k a year, mostly made up of work commutes (10miles one way) and motorway journeys (Birmingham->London). Pretty typical stuff.   The C-Class seems to be the leading candidate, I've also looked at the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 as alternatives; as I want to try something other than Japanse (used to own an Accord as well). So basically, a small family saloon. My budget will hold out for anything upto about 7.5k and has to be an Auto (dodgy ankle).
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 01 1.6 petrol - starting problem 15 Nov 2013 (Forum)
  After this engine runs OK and drives well. Occasionally the engine will start on the first turn of the key! I have changed the plugs & leads (all genuine Ford replacements) - no improvement. It has been to an independent and a Ford agent - no stored faults. Independent Garage suggested the camshaft sensor - changed it but no improvement Ford agent updated ECU software with no improvement.
• Toyota Avensis 52 1.8 VVTi - HC emissions 22 Sep 2013 (Forum)
  I am wondering whether this dramatic increase in HC emissions is a consequence of the engine burning oil, and whether I should expect further rise in HC emissions which might then lead to the car failing to pass MOT (max HC 200). CO emissions also seem to have gone up, currently at 0.18 natural, 0.14 fast with the maximum levels being 0.3 and 0.2 respectively. Not sure if CO emissions are in any way related to HC emissions.
• Any - DPF - What is all the fuss about ? 19 Feb 2013 (Forum)
  And is all the scaremongering going on about it now, similar to what we had about removal of lead from petrol in the 1990s, when the nation semed to be more concerned with the state of its valve seats than with its children's brains. as the main benefit of the DPF is to prevent nastly soot particles geting into people's lungs.
• Ford Focus 2 1.6 Petrol - Fault Code P0304 29 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  The main Ford main dealer hooked it up to their test equipment today, and diagnosed fault P04304 - misfire on cylinder 4. They replaced one plug lead and all 4 plugs, and reset the ECU. Needless to say, tonight the car was little better. It was hesitant at all speeds, and the management light flashed at over 50mph. It wasn't quite as bad as before, but clearly not right.
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  Why is LV insurance so much cheaper? 26 May 2012 (Ask HJ)
  How about this for a cheeky insurance renewal rate? I have been insuring with a leading insurance company for many years. I received a renewal notice for...