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• Vauxhall Corsa C - Intermittent battery charging issue 14 Jun 2011 (Forum)
  This time I attempted to make it back home but broke down and had to wait for a friend to come and get me going with jump leads. I continued to monitor and soon found that this never happened when I started the car from cold (stood for approx 30 min or more) but whenever I attempt to start from warn having nipped to the shop, petrol, etc pretty much always happens.
• Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec SE 1999 - Starting issues & Occasional stalling when cold. 24 Nov 2010 (Forum)
  I replaced the sparks about a month an a half ago - this 'seemed' to stop the problem but it reappeared again after two weeks, replaced the HT leads last week - made no difference. One occasion where it failed to start I sprayed WD40 on all ignition connections and then it started, but have had no success with this method since. I'm stumped as to what could be the cause - was thinking maybe replace battery but if it starts first time when its been sat around for a day or two and then sometimes wont after an hour it cant be the charge level, so was thinking maybe some sensors somewhere are to blame?
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  Why do insurance premiums increase for over-70s? 7 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  For many years I've insured cars (Ford Mondeos) through a leading insurance company. I reached the age of 70 last year and my annual quote increased by...
• Help please with bump in work car park...girl claiming more damage than i caused. 5 Aug 2010 (Forum)
  I had an unfortunate incident yesturday in my work car park. My car wouldnt start so had to push it back to get start leads to the engine. When i pushed it back my abs wouldnt work as the engine was off so no brakes. As a result i bumped into some girls car and dented her front left side wing. So i went back into work and asked at reception whos car it was.
• Busy roundabout etiquette. 5 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  The slip road off the motorway onto the roundabout is solid. Traffic is backed up solid on the A road leading onto the roundabout. The roundabout itself is packed solid. Nothing can get off the roundabout onto the motorway or onto the busy A because it's obstructed by the heavy traffic stationary on the roundabout.
• Renault Clio II (1998 - 2001) - '99 1.6RXE Rough idle + Car won't rev up 14 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  Continuity between oxygen sensor and ECU checked OK All earths in engine bay and on engine OK Earths and power to ECU OK ECU independently checked twice (both OK) New parts fitted:- Oxygen Sensor Inlet manifold gaskets New Fuel Pump Fuel Regulator Spark Plugs and leads Fuel replaced in case of contamination Conclusion:- Engine appears to be running far too lean I subsequntly gave the car to the local Renault garage and the cannot find anything at fault on their diagnostoc system and have checked the electricals etc and have also completely drawn a blank with their own car!
• Motoring & memory - how about you? 9 May 2009 (Forum)
  How do you perceive things?........ Remember watching the Brighton run (Genevieve) with one of the lead actors being Kenneth More? Now the shock is to see the film again and realise that both the vintage cars in the film AND the 50`cars in the background are merging towards each other and are starting to look equally ancient.
• Peugeot 406 (1999 - 2004) - 01 2.0 HDI 110 - P0190 AP Fault 21 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  I am wondering if there is a problem with the fuel flow from the "new" tank. If I have to stop on a slight uphill gradient it can even stall at idle. One other thing that leads me to the fuel flow issue is that it will run perfectly if I park with the nearside wheels up on the kerb. I have had an anti pollution fault come up a few times. P0190. On the scanner used it said "Fuel Pressure Regulation - Pressure Coherence" but I have seen this more commonly described as "Fuel Pressure Sensor Circuit Malfunction".
• Do you trust Dealer Franchises 23 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  I only noticed this because my wife usually drives the car but we had to drive to the airport to collect my daughter and I noticed straight away but my wife just said " I thought it was not driving right " Anyway, loath to take it to the dealer, a bit of detective work on the internet suggested that the fault would probably be a leaking vacuum pipe somewhere, leading to none operation of the turbo. Imagine my joy when feeling at the back of the engine at the pipe the went to the turbo actuator, to find a big hole. Replaced the pipe and it now pulls like the proverbial train again.
• Overtakers, what reaction? 6 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  But as is nearly always the case, the driver(s) coming the other way maintain there speed and trajectory, hugging the crown of the road, what this achieves i don't get, to be fair there wasn't the flashing headlamps and hand signs that sometimes accompany a late overtaker, but no attempt to give a little room either. If the lead car coming the other way just eased a little over to the left as well, we would all be safer, no one needs to brake or take any evasive manoeuvres, just move 3 ft to the left. I truly believe that some drivers would sooner have a head on smash with a late passer than just ease over a bit to the left and make everyone's day safer.
• Minor prang - insurance procedure please 2 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  She would then say she is getting an estimate or two and forwarding them to this other driver in due course and expecting his / his insurer's payment (2) Get the tracking / suspension checked to ensure that it's not damaged as this could cost a lot of money to fix and might then lead her to making a claim (fully comp insurance). Questions: Am I right so far? Where do I go for a proper suspension / tracking check?
• Peugeot 306 (1993 - 2001) - 1996 TD - All sorts of problems! 21 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  In addition I feel it to have a very choppy ride on poor road surfaces. In regards to the knocking whilst turning, Further reading leads me to believe this is either the steering pump or rack, my question is will it pass an MOT with this problem. In regards to the knocky/choppy ride on poor road, is this something other TD drivers have noticed, or is this simply a problem with my vehicle, and what is it!!!!
• Rover 400 (1995 - 1999) - 1998. 416 model - heating issues 15 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  Hi have been proud 416 (r reg) owner for 6 months. have previosly only needed to add air to tyres and check levels etc. around 4 weeks ago car steamed over from expansion tank and got worried , temperature on dashboard said between 1/3 and half, refiled and drove home thought all was well. then couple of days later heater now heater only blows cold. car has had new radiator, plugs, leads, dizzy cap, starter, thermostat, recent oil and air filter change. also after reading through this web site other symtoms have lots of white smoke and water from exhaust at all times and whithe mist and petrol smell in expansion tank when running. also bubbles before boil over usually after 10-15 mins (sometimes more). fan comes on not that much but think may be normal as high running temp?
• Diesel, Cold, stop start fuel consumption figures 20 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  Temperature, just below freezing, ice on the screen. Start and drive straight off, 20mph for a few hundred yards, then onto an urban city road leading out of town. Stop twice at lights, car has heater blower and headlights on as I climb, still in 3rd gear, up onto a ridge, 1 mile further at around 400feet altitude. At this stage, the temperature gauge is not registering and computer showing 47MPG.
• Mazda 6, what to watch out for? 13 Jan 2007 (Forum)
  One reader had ... brake discs re-skimmed (23,000 miles: again seems to be a common problem). ... On the 136PS 5-speed diesel, labouring of the engine in 5th (and towing) can lead to a short 5th gear life as the selector pins wear. Not a problem on later 6-speed box. " I don't fancy paying for clutch or gear repairs and can't afford the newer 6-speed version. Do the clutch problems affect all versions of the 6?
• Dartford Crossing 31 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  To allow a free flow of traffic through the plaza area would increase the possibility of accidents occurring, thus leading to more delays. Every effort is made to get traffic through the crossing area as quickly as possible. I do appreciate the frustration that can be caused from sitting in a queue, but it is necessary to balance this against the safety of those who travel on our roads."
• Emergency kit in the boot 24 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  Extendable wheel wrench, locking wheel nut key, gloves, plastic sacks to kneel on and put the dirty wheel in. 3. Jump leads and instructions 4. A proper set of spare bulbs. Instructions and any simple tools to access them. (If I cannot sort it then perhaps some other soul can.) 5. A tow rope and instructions. 6. A small coil of suitable gauge of soft wire ( wire coat hanger?)
• Mondeo recall? 4 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  This little-known feature was heralded by Ford of Eurpoe boss Nick Scheele as a great way to remove tobacco ash odours from the car interior leading to stronger residuals in the used Mondeo market. As a result of Belgian assembly workers failing to understand the complex assembly instructions of the ashtray-cleaning device's non-return valve, there is apparently a way through from the exhaust system to the interior of the car.
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  Is it legal for me to tow my friend's uninsured classic car to a garage? 22 Aug 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I have been asked by a friend to tow his 1976 Volkswagen Beetle to a specialist garage for repair. The Beetle is not MoT'd or insured. It's MoT exempt...
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  Our insurer couldn't recover repair costs after a no fault accident - is it fair they've now increased our premium? 15 Feb 2018 (Ask HJ)
  My wife’s car was struck by a metal object which came from an open lorry going in the opposite direction. The damage was estimated at £1600. We contacted...