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• Astra - slow cranking 28 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  I have an Astra diesel estate with an Isuzu 1.7td engine.When it is running the engine is fine.The alternator and battery are new but I still have a slow cranking problem. Yesterday morning I ran it for approx 1 hour and left it for 2 hrs and it fired straight away. Yesterday afternoon I was moving some kitchen gear between houses and usually the period between stopping and restarting the engine was from 5 to 30 mins but each time it just cranked quite slowly before firing.
• good help wanted about a BX. (maybe DW can help) 16 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  my mother is selling her citroen bx, and i was wondering how much she should charge, its a 1987 E, 16TRS, metallic silver, 111,000 miles, some history, automatic, long tax and test, and has had in the past 6 months - rear spheres, new battery, alternator, HT leads, plugs, full service, ignition coil, starter motor, ignition lock, and in the past year has had tons more done (including the timing belt), the interior is in mint condition, very slight rust on one of the rear doors, but no other rust, she was thinking about £325, but put it up for £450.
• Breakdown cover 24 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  Friday night my other-half's '96 Fiat Cinquecento wouldn't start on the way to work. Turned the ignition key and nothing happened. Lots of juice in the battery but the starter motor didn't want to know. Anyway I called out the AA and was very impressed with the service. I rang them at 19:15 and was told they would arrive by 20:00. Five minutes later I received a text message on my mobile stating they would arrive by 19:45, which is the exact time the guy turned up.
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  Would an older hybrid car suit a 500-mile weekly commute? 7 Jul 2021 (Ask HJ)
  I'm about to go from 100% home-based to a 400/500-mile per week commute. Currently, I have a 2009 Land Rover Freelander 2 with 144,000 miles on it, going...
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  Why won't the dealer help with wiring problems on my daughter's Volkswagen camper van? 1 Jun 2013 (Ask HJ)
  You were kind enough late last year to answer my query regarding the larger engine size required to replace a failed engine in my granddaughters 1974 Volkswagen...
• Micra automatic 1.3 1998 - My Micra won't start; Please help !!!!! 8 Feb 2011 (Forum)
    When I try, it turns over no problem, but it just makes a sound as though it is about to start, but never makes it to starting. I have tried one of those boosters over the battery and this make no difference. I have tried it several time now without success.  Any ideas ?   I did blow the white stuff around a bit when I cleaned it off the battery with a wire brush (cleaned both + & - terminals), and was wondering if this could have blown on something, and if so, would it short anything out ?.
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  Charge of the electric light brigade 9 May 2009 (Ask HJ)
  So Gordon Brown wants us all to whizz around in electric cars because they are 'green'. I see plenty of downsides but not many upsides, except reduced...
• nissan micra s auto 2001 - advice on what to get sorted? 23 Nov 2024 (Forum)
  It has showed it's s*** side a couple times whilst I've had it though; it broke down slap bang in the middle of the road from the old battery going bad, it also cut out being put from park to drive on a dual carriageway (pulling off from a layby) however sprang right back to life when i restarted it, still unexplained. Only once has it ever flashed its engine light at me and that was when I had kickdown engaged for a bit too long going uphill with extra load, it went into limp mode, I fiddled about with the battery and again she sprung back to life with no further complaints and this was about a month ago.
• Getting back into cycling with an ebike 28 May 2023 (Forum)
  I settled on an NCM Milano Plus because there was a very good discount on at the time and because it (the 'Plus' model) had a bigger than usual 16Ah battery. My thoughts being that when I cycled previously I had various routes I would follow up to 30-35 miles. And the thought of having a flat battery and having to get a 30kg bike back with no assistance wasn't too appealing (even though it would undoubtably be a good workout!).
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  Should I replace my diesel SUV with a petrol hybrid? 20 Jan 2023 (Ask HJ)
  I need to replace my diesel Ford Kuga with something newer and cheaper to run. I commute 23 miles each day and I can fit an EV wall box at home if required....
• Vauxhall Corsa C - Corsa C won’t start first attempt, but will second 28 Nov 2014 (Forum)
  [url] http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/661/7dGSJa.jpg [/url] EXHAUST WATER: While changing the oil and plugs I noticed quite a bit of water in the exhaust, seems to be okay now but it was parked on a slope at the time (front end up) to keep it out of the rain. ALTERNATOR/BATTERY: Tested Alternator/battery. 12+V engine off, around 14V engine on. Seem fine. TIMING BELT: Noisy but I’ve heard worse. FUEL PUMP PRIME: Read somewhere it could be to do with the fuel system and to try priming the pump before starting her up.
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  Why does my Focus keeping cutting out? 1 Sep 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I am reaching the end of my tether with my 2003 Ford Focus. It started at the beginning of the year when it started cutting out. The breakdown guy diagnosed...
• Toyota Prius - Dealer Car Purchase Knowledge Is Power 25 Mar 2025 (Forum)
  This was purchased from a dealer for an added "security" peace of mind via credit card (consumer rights protection?) and their 3 month warranty on engine/mechanical and 6 months on the battery. Came with a reconditioned battery the day before (invoice to prove it). I went about looking for a car trying to avoid a lot of pitfalls that you hear and learn in life. I'm very mechanically inclined however the hybrid territory was new and a bit frightening to begin with.
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  How quickly do brake pads wear? 7 Feb 2025 (Ask HJ)
  During a recent 'free health check', my Toyota Dealer has advised the rear brake pads are 60% worn. Bearing in mind, at the time, my vehicle had completed...
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  Is it possible to run the heating on electric while parked in a hybrid car ? 13 Dec 2024 (Ask HJ)
  Is it possible in a full hybrid to run the heating on electric while parked? For example, waiting to pick the children up from school, or sitting somewhere...
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  What used two-seater convertible do you suggest? 19 Feb 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I'm looking to buy a 2-seater convertible to keep at our holiday home. Budget of £8-10k. I really like the look of the Mercedes SL, but have heard that...
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  Can I use puncture-resistant tyres on my Honda? 11 Oct 2023 (Ask HJ)
  My car has no spare, nor room for one due the batteries, and I am reluctant to solely rely on the Tyre Slime to get me home. I have been looking to fit...
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  Which 4x4 do you recommend for towing and general farm work? 24 Feb 2022 (Ask HJ)
  We're looking for a vehicle with tolerable road driveability and 4x4 capability for light towing and lugging across our fields and general farm work. I...
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  I bought a non-runner - how much will I need to spend? 14 Dec 2021 (Ask HJ)
  Had a rush of blood to the head. Bought a boy racer (2015 Peugeot 208 GTI Limited Edition turbo petrol three-door hatchback), without reading fine print....
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  How reliable is the BMW i3? 8 Dec 2021 (Ask HJ)
  My BMW i3 is just about to exit its 3 year warranty and I have been offered extended warranty at £700-plus per annum. This seems quite a lot of money for...