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• Starting Problems on Golf 3 16v 31 May 2003 (Forum)
  Its an intermittent fault but when it does happen, the engine starts and revs to maybe 1500 - 2000 rpm and then cuts dead. Sometimes it will start after A LOT of effort but after a while the battery runs dead. I came back to it this afternoon (nice hot day) and it burst into life with no problem! Frustrating! I've sent it to 2 garges where they did diagnostics but found nothing - one replaced the vacuum hose to no avail, the other couldn't think of anything so cleaned the injectors which did help for a bit.
• Top tip 21 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  It was a flat bit of road (so I couldn't push start it myself), nobody else around and the engine wouldn't turn over because the battery, which probably was not in its prime of life, had been flattened. I fitted another belt I had floating around in the back, jacked up a rear wheel, put the car in gear and placed my toolbox on the accelerator (as you need to give it a half throttle to start it when it is hot).
• VW info and mk2 Polo Electrics 30 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  I have lost power feed to wipers, fan (heater) and rear screen on daughters car and need to put on the road pronto. (Well it is on the road with a temporary direct feed from the battery via a 30A fuse direct to the fuse box, but I would like to do the job properly tomorrow, or I wont get a birthday present). If the fault clears itself, the reverse power feed may mean you cannot kill the ignition!
• The Auto Taser 22 Aug 2001 (Forum)
  For those of you who don't know, the Auto Taser is an anti-theft device that clamps across the steering wheel. It contains a stun gun system powered by 3 PP3 batteries. It fits across the stereo area and when armed, emits a warning flasher light. On being disturbed, the TAser first emits an agonising shrill squeal then lightning flashes up and down the barrel.
• Starting Motor engaging whilst driving 27 Jul 2001 (Forum)
  The first occasion the ignition switch and well as the starter motor was replaced. Last week I had a second "experience". On this occasion the starter motor had blown the battery. so this too along with the starter motor had to be replaced. The ignition switch was found to be sound and working correctly with no signs of "sticking". On investigation local dealership/& Vauxhall technical division say they have had no reports of similar faults reported.
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  Should I buy a workshop manual for my Toyota Previa which has an ignition fault? 2 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have a Toyota Previa II 2.4i 16v Manual 1991 which would run very ragged after warming up. I was advised to get hold of a new coil and No.1 HT lead,...
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  Why does the Skoda Enyaq have drum brakes on the rear? 21 Mar 2023 (Ask HJ)
  The spec for the Skoda Enyaq says that it only has disc brakes at the front and that the rear are drums. That seems like a throwback to the 1970s. Is it...
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  Downsizing from a Nissan Qashqai - what should I buy? 11 Oct 2021 (Ask HJ)
  I'm on my third Nissan Qashqai since 2013 and this current one (petrol/automatic) will be three years old in May 2022. Recently my partner bought a Mazda...
• Hyundai Ioniq EV - First 1500 all electric miles 9 Jun 2021 (Forum)
  No gear changes, no engine noise, no fuss. Just put your foot down and go. On the EV side, from a 38kwh battery, we see 180-200 miles from a full charge, getting over 5 miles/kwh easily. (By reputation, no other EV, save a Tesla 3, is as efficient). We considered a bigger battery/range model, but just couldn't justify the additional cost for those very occasional longer drives.
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  Is buying an older hybrid a bad choice? 7 Sep 2020 (Ask HJ)
  Partly because I love the model and partly because I think they (presently) fly under the ULEZ radar, I was contemplating buying a petrol or hybrid Volkswagen...
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  How realistic are official fuel consumption and CO2 figures for new cars? 22 Apr 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I'm thinking of buying the new Ford Kuga PHEV 2.5. The fuel consumption figures are 201mpg and CO2 of 26g Are they serious? I’ll never achieve that, will...
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  Are Tile trackers worth buying? 21 Nov 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I want to get some Tile trackers for my family. Are they any good and which version would you recommend? Are any of the alternatives to Tile any good?
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  What's the best budget dash cam? 5 Dec 2018 (Ask HJ)
  I had rubbish fly off a lorry that damaged my car. It was going the other way so I have no idea who it was, so have to claim off my own insurance. If I...
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  My Ford Focus ST needs an expensive repair for a known issue - can I claim the money from Ford? 17 Mar 2018 (Ask HJ)
  My 2013 Ford Focus ST experienced uneven engine running in December. A Ford dealer traced the problem to the engine wiring harness - a problem for which...
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  Why is my diesel car emitting blue smoke upon starting up? 25 Nov 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2007 Peugeot 207 1.6 HDI, with 83,000 clocked miles. Basically, the longer the car sits unused, the more blue smoke it puts out when it starts...
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  I recently bought a van that now seems faulty - can I reject it? 28 Oct 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a Volkswagen Crafter, with 61,000 miles on the clock, for £10,400 a week ago. The price seemed about right, although my gut told me it’s had heavy...
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  Is a car that's been standing for 18 months likely to have engine issues? 24 May 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I'm thinking of buying a 2013 Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.8 TSI that's apparently been standing for 18 months. The owner (one from new) has passed away,...
• Skoda rapid - 2 years / 20k miles in a Rapid (HB) 29 Mar 2016 (Forum)
      My only "breakdown" was entirely self inflicted - I left the lights on all day last year and completely flattened the battery. I then realised it is not possible to open the bonnet when the battery is flat, necessitating my only call to Skoda assist during my ownership. The bonnet release lever is fouled by the passenger door trim, meaning it is not possible to pull the lever, without first opening the "deadlocked" door.
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  Renault Clio III problems 15 Jan 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I purchased a Clio 3 1.5 DCI manual last summer and so far have been very happy with it. The car is efficient and easy to drive, and the amount of included...
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  Should we keep or trade in our old Ford Galaxy? 24 Mar 2015 (Ask HJ)
  My son is wanting to change his Ford Galaxy 2.0 diesel. The car is a 2007 model and has great bodywork, with 96,000 miles from new and dealer maintained....