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• Peugeot 306 - Peugeot 306 1.8Lt DEAD 14 Feb 2011 (Forum)
  It's finally charged enough" day after, dead again. Before I rush out and buy a £60 battery, is it definitely the battery do you think? Could it be the alternator? Both? Neither? Is there any way of making sure one way or the other? While I'm at it, last time I was driving, the stereo (manufacturer's standard) asked me for a code (??)
• skoda superb - problems after repairs 8 Sep 2010 (Forum)
  I also think the car should be returned to me in the same operational state as they received it. The local main dealer tells me that if the battery is disconnected, the terminals touched together, then the battery reconnected this usually resets the computer. I am not in a position to do this, but the repairers are, Surely they should find this information for themselves and not fob me off to a main dealer.
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  What can I do to repair my Ford Escort GTI which keeps losing power? 30 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  My 1997 Escort GTI keeps losing power. When I start it up it idles fine, but when I press the accelerator it chugs and splutters when it is cold. Took...
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  My BMW 645 is suffering from total electrical shutdowns - what could this be? 22 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  On three occasions over the last nine months my 2004 BMW 645's dashboard has started to flash, the steering gets heavy and all sorts of alarm warnings...
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  Why won't my Mitsubishi Grandis start when warm? 17 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  My 2006 Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0 diesel (Volkswagen engine) starts fine in the mornings and when cold. However, when I drive a few miles then stop, wait...
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  Why won't my 1998 Renault Megane start? 5 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  My 1998 Renault Megane Cabriolet has had intermittent starting problems for a while now. The car seems to be fine but won't start. Battery appears fine....
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  Short and the tall - Honda to BMW 14 Mar 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I am thinking of changing my car, a 2007/57 Honda Civic type R GT, 31,500 miles, for a BMW 320d SE saloon. My budget runs to about £18,500 depending on...
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  The generation game 16 Jan 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a focus ST on 31-03-06. On 16-10-09 the alternator failed after only 16,053 miles. Due to my health I can't walk far and when I reached seventy...
• Renault Megane (1999 - 2002) - 1999 1.6 rt 16V - Cambelt change intervals 8 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  I just thought I would get peoples opinion on the Advice I got from my Renault Dealership.Because I have been far from impressed with them in the past (two days after having a gold service and mot which cost me around £400 my battery failed ). I don't care if they say the battery isn't checked in a service /mot , it's a bit bad to have to call the AA two days after spending £400 on a maintainence check at a main dealer. Also according to a mechanic I spoke to last year they ripped me off completely in terms of the service.
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 2003 1.8 TDCi - will not start poor fuel delivery? 1 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  Everyone says its a fuel delivery issue, in fact twice the RAC managed to start it with jump leads (battery woirn flat) and easystart in air filter inlet. Even a Ford Field engineer couldnt bottom this when it was in the ford dealers for 5 weeks once in June/July 2007. all electrics checked and like I said new fuel pump, new PCM, new battery new crankshaft sensor, yet still once in a while it resues to fire up, turns over perfectly Ok just wont actually fire up like I say RAC men say its fule delivery.
• Peugeot 306 (2001) - Remote locking. 16 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  Hello I have a weird problem with the remote (infrared) locking mechanism. All of sudden it stopped working. The battery is ok I have tried 2 new. I have also tried to switch the circuit boards with one taken from another keyfob. And it still won't work. The central locking system works well when using the door lock but not when using the remote.
• K Reg Astra, Overheated, now what? 29 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  Turned over and all was fine, no more smoke, temp fine, quite happy. Except, now the brake fluid indicator (!) and battery lights are stuck on? Brake Fluid is fine, and more importantly brakes are working fine. Battery should also be ok cos lights etc were all off when I was under the bonnet, so very little excess drain.
• Honda CR-V 1.6 DIESEL 2014 - FLASHING GREEN KEY ON DASH 11 Sep 2025 (Forum)
  Already used car today,went to restart within 30min,was cranking over for a few seconds,no start,;flashing green key on dash.Tried spare key,no luck,tried disconnect battery for 30 min,no luck. Search online  suggests immobiliser issue? Did have PGMI fault code before this, but ran fine. Any ideas ?, will be ringing auto elecs tomorrow,that i have used before,but dont think they offer mobile service.There are other mobile auto elecs in the area, so shouldnt be a problem getting someone out.
• Breakdown Cover (again!) 24 May 2025 (Forum)
  I’ve had their cover for a few years as it covers me in both cars (Logan and MX5) for a reasonable amount. I’ve only had to call them out once after I replaced the battery in the Mazda and couldn’t get it going (turned out to be my fault but that’s another story). I was quite happy to renew when on the payment page I noticed a cross next to the ‘cover for cars over 15 years old’.
• Ford Fiesta Mark 7 (09 reg) - Ford Fiesta MK7 - engine won't start 28 Apr 2025 (Forum)
  Good Afternoon, Can you help me determine the fault with my Fiesta, it seems ignition won't start the car: https://youtu.be/Apswi6TYwiM Battery tries to crank the engine but it just won't start. And after around 10 seconds of dash computer starts throwing up several errors: 'brake system fault', 'abs fault', etc.. I've certainly not seen anything like that before.
• 2010 Audi TT TDI - 2010 Audi TT starts, then dies after 1 second, 6 Nov 2023 (Forum)
  I have just noticed that my Audi dies after 1 second.  The dash cluster DOES NOT respond, or light up, at all! I've disconnected the battery for 10 min, no difference! I've used my spare key, no difference, exactly the same thing happens! It has fuel! I last used it 3 days ago! Theres a 1 inch gap by drivers window, no response from switch!
• Mk 8 Civic diesel EX - Intermittent horn 8 Sep 2022 (Forum)
  Twice in the last month or so, my new horn has failed to work. I bench tested it recently and all seemed fine hooked up to a spare battery. I assumed the horn could have been affected by the recent heatwave. (BTW - it is a right pain to test !)  Today it failed when needed, but immediately worked with the steering wheel moved. I now suspect the "clock spring" in the wheel, but all other button functions work and there are no warning lights ( ie airbag ) lit up.
• AWD via rear axle motor 2 Jun 2022 (Forum)
  But for many AWD hybrid cars, there is no driveshaft and a separate motor spins rear wheels to make it AWD when more traction is necessary. My question is, what happens when traction battery has no charge to spin the rear motor? Does it mean AWD car becomes FWD only? Also, when rear wheels are driven by driveshaft, it is guaranteed that they will rotate at same speed.  But if front and rear axles are unconnected, then somehow the computer needs to ensure that both axles are spinning at same speed.
• Skoda Superb Estate - Petrol or Plug-in Hybrid Superb estate? 12 Feb 2022 (Forum)
  Insurance group and road tax is also different between the two. Upfront cost seems higher for plugin hybrid. But does it break even (battery will get worse over time especially with uk climate) ?  Does it cost more to repair a plugin hybrid because there is both engine and electric motor? With UK government setting their eyes on 2030, are we consumers forced to go electric only?
• citroen g4 picasso - stop start 14 Dec 2020 (Forum)
  I'm having an issue on my 3 and a half year old picasso that I bought 3 months ago and it is going back to the garage for a check in two weeks time but in the mean time I'm looking around to see whats what . So far I've seen stuff about alternator , belt tensioners, starter motor and battery which all make sense , however the question I have is if fixed under warranty ( great ) but is it worth the overall hassle that may come from stop start wear and tear and so far in my research questionable savings and that maybe just turn it off for good AND is it ok to turn it off in the long run.