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• Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 Ignition 16 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  i went to start the car this morning, the only thing that happened was all the ignitions lights you know battery parking light etc lit up on the dash as normal, there was no clicking sound that you get when you turn on the ignition to start the car. I ended up bumping it in reverse after pushing it up a hill and the car started.
• 406 HDi - constant live 30 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  This is a problem for me because I don't want to leave my lights on accidentally, and also I have a GPS unit in the car which I only want to be charged when the car is running and not when it's left, as this could run the battery down if left long enough. Apparently this constant live can be set by swapping around a couple of fuses, but no one I've spoken to seems to know which ones. Any ideas?
• FIAT Punto (1994 - 1999) - 95 899cc ignition problem 8 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  Problem being that when I switch the ignition to "off" and remove the key, the engine keeps on running. All the gauges seem to be operative too, although the battery symbol illuminates. I'm thinking it might be something to do with the aftermarket Foxguard immobliser it's got fitted. Supposedly, according to what little documentation I've got with it, it's got a switch hidden somewhere to override it, so if I could find it I could or not.
• Omega Alarm/ Siren 14 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  Recently the siren has started going off independantly of the horn/lights etc. (Maybe 4 beeps can mean other things as well as a dead siren battery) This even happens with the car unlocked! The local dealer couldn't register a new siren to the system and estimates £400+ to fix the problem by replacing the alarm control unit as well as the siren.
• Polo 1991 starting but not firing 7 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  Jump started ok then not used it for a week, now will start but not fire. Carried the following tests: petrol ok; clean fuel filter; put new battery; sprayed the carb with aereosol. Still not working. Tried another coil (taken from the scarp yard) and checked the sparks and are a bit weak with both coils, so I guess that either the coils are rubbish and need to get a new one.
• Astra 1.4 8v having troubles starting fr 15 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  I have changed the HT leads, its had a recent Lambda sensor, I swapped the plugs back to the old ones (only removed previously purely due to servicing, but they were working fine when removed, so dont think it could be the plugs or could it?), it has a coil pack not a distributor. Its had a recent new battery. What could be wrong with it?
• 1995 mondeo 1.8TD immobiliser probs 20 Oct 2005 (Forum)
  As I have never owned a vehicle with an alarm, never mind immobiliser, I am at a loss, however as I spend lots of time under various bonnets, she is looking to me for help. The key she is using looks normal to me, i.e. no buttons, no batteries, or bells or whistles; is this the problem? Surely a key should have a transponder to talk to the car, if someone could confirm this or advise if the wretched thing can be disabled or bypassed, she would be pleased and I can hold my head high again ---------------------------------------------- One mans junk is another mans treasure
• Polo central locking stops and starts? 30 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  If I open the driver's door only with engine cold (CL doesn't work), then start the engine, after a few seconds the other doors will all open. No other noticeable problems with the electrics. Have charged the battery but that didn't make any difference. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks Ellie100
• Mercedes electric window problem 28 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  One can sometimes hear a clicking noise from inside the door with a 4-5 second gap between clicks. The window itself operates smoothly and normally. I wondered if disconnecting the battery for 12 hours would clear any elctrical gremlins (as in rebooting a computer??) Any ideas?
• How do I tell If Glow plugs are going? 24 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  This morning it was a bit more hesitant than normal hence this request. About a week ago I had my alternator and battery checked and was told both were fine. Once it's been running it'll start up almost instantly any time afterwards. For example, I made some small start/stop journeys yesterday and it was fine, it's just in the mornings that it seems to find difficult.
• Citroen Xantia Headlamp Washers. 19 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  I have tested the following:- 1 relevant fuses, all clean and unblown. 2 The relevant pump by powering it directly from a slave battery, it works. Looking at the wiring diagram in the haynes manual, my next port of call should be the relay/timer unit, but the manual does not give a location for it. Can anyone tell me where it is, please?
• Quick question on valuation ideas 14 Jan 2005 (Forum)
  hi, am trying to sell my car at the moment, but not having much luck! I think the problem is the price: car is a 95 M suzuki swift, 67,000 miles, fsh, recent tyres, battery, cambelt, MOT Oct 05 and tax to end of june. Book price is £815, but I really think this is too much. What would you say is a more realistic price (it's in vgc inside, and good outside, though some scuffs here and there, no rust).
• Mercedes 230 E ( W123 ) fuel pump relay 6 Jan 2005 (Forum)
  Hi Everyone, I have had a problem with my Mercedes today, the first ever, where it would not start, the fuel pump ( electric ) was not running, so I took a live feed from the battery to the pump, and it started without a problem, and continued to run fine and restarted, even after I removed the improvised feed. I suspect the Fuel pump relay to be at fault, however I could not locate it anywhere, despite reference being made to it in the Workshop manual, as being on the LH Front inner wing.
• Temperature Gauge MAX Fiesta 1.3 23 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  I have a Fiesta 1.3 LX 1996 Endura-E engine which has developed a problem in the Temperature Gauge giving a constant Maximum reading. It doesn\'t give a max reading when the ignition is on(ie. oil, brake, and battery light illuminated) only when the engine has started and within 2 seconds needles shoots to MAX reading. This fault only developed after I removed the starter motor to check the condition of the Flywheel.
• Hands Off 24 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  I nominate the chap I used to see regularly commuting to work in a back lane having a shave at around 40mph ( no - not with the soap and cuthroat)but a battery operated razor. I quite regularly see girls applying makeup , surely this and eating drinking and smoking at the wheel are all as potentially distracting as a mobile. We have a charge 'Driving without due care and attention' which surely covers mobile use.
• Old VW Polo cutting out 14 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Any suggestions as to what this could be would be greatly appreciated. The car has a brand new distributor & battery, and on a friends advice, I changed the fuel relay. Otherwise, it is in great nick and is well serviced.
• Xantia Won't start 12 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  After several attempts, gave it up as a bad job, got some petrol from my garage, put that in, only a couple of litres and still won't start. The push button code is OK, coming on green, however, I have now run the battery down and will give it up until morning. Hopefully a full 5 litres of petrol from the garage will do the trick, but are there any obvious probs with this I should look at if this doesn't work? Further info, the car has been parked on my drive for a few days, which is reasonably steep.
• tips : removing Golf mk3 steering wheel 26 May 2003 (Forum)
  Two allen screws underneath secure the VR6 airbag to the wheel. I understand I should disconnect the battery to avoid inadvertant airbag deployment but am rather nervous about removing the TDi wheel. When I last changed a steering wheel (20+ years ago) there was a large nut with a split pin. Can some kind soul tell me what secures the wheel to the steering rack ?
• Peugeot 306 'M' reg turbo diesel. 17 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  My 19 yrs. old soldier grandson left his base in Germany in some haste last Feb. to go to Iraq, where he expects to stay some 6-12 months. He has left the above car standing unattended in Germany. I am not just concerned about flat battery and flat spot tyres but also whether the remote control zapper will work, the turbo draining of oil , and brake problems. If I decide to go over there can any of you experts give me any advice on how I can safely put it back on the road before he returns Grandad.
• Fiat electrical problem 17 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  Recently, I have been suffering intermittent non starting problems (no spark). I have changed the coil, HT lead, distributor cap/rotor arm, battery but still I get this intermittent non-sparking. The only thing left to change is the Digiplex electronic ignition unit. Does anyone know if these tend to become faulty or what else might you suggest?