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• Renault Clio II (2001 - 2007) - 2003 1.5 DCI Electrical problems 26 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  I subsequently tried a number of times to start the car, only to see a select few lights on the dash coming on, but interestingly no CD player or clock would work. This implied to me that perhaps the battery was flat. After sitting for 1/2 hour the car still wouldn't start. I had to be recovered, so it has now gone back to this dealer, AGAIn! The recovery mechanic seemed to think it was an immobiliser problem or ignition, he wasn't sure.
• SAAB 9-3 (1998 - 2002) - 02 2.2Tid diesel starting problems 24 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  I had it taken to local Saab dealer with whom I have now spent a lot of money with them - seemingly to no avail as yet since , having driven the car back from them , it is completely failing to start despite vigorous churning with fully charged battery. Yes there is fuel in it! The Saab dealers haven't given up yet and are going to try again after Xmas. In theirwork so far they started by replacing some fuel T pieces (?) but that didn't do the trick.
• Scrapyard refunds 18 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  The part does work, and I took my test meter with me to make sure it was looking like it would work before buying, but only when I got home noticed the metal bracket is slightly bigger by about 8mm and so it will not fit into the original holes and still have clearance of the battery. I am going to remove the bracket from the new and old ones and swap them - I'll have to angle grind the rivets away then substitute bolts. I'm doing this for a few reasons 1. 8v Nexias in scrapyards with coils attached are as rare as hens teeth 2. it's too much hassle phoning round any more scrappies and travelling distances to go there and back 3.
• cavalier diesel 3 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  Suspecting a starter motor problem I disconnected the +ve lead from the starter and jump started the car so we could bring it home. We got the starter off but could't get the solenoid to operate using leads from a battery. A starter was sourced at a local yard and prior to putting it on the car I tried to test it. I couldnt get the solenoid to operate. I then noticed a small metal tag from one of the starter terminals into the solenoid.
• Pug 306 HDi Fuel Problems - HELP! 21 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  I've got the following info from the dignostics machine to see if anyone can help: Diesel Pressure 290 Bar Injector Quantity 14.1 mm3/l Main Injector 1.7 Idle - 6.2 Flat Injector 4 -2.5 Injector 3 +1.9 Injector 2 -5.0 Injector 1 +5.3 The ECU is coming up with the following fault codes: 1404 - PreHeating or PostHeating Control 0201 - Cylinder No 1 injector or circuit - Open circuit or short to Ground/Battery The car is still not running. It sounds like the roughest post-war eastern bloc tractor you could imagine. The circuit has been tested and is not open. Neither my Indy garage nor Peugeot have a clue what is actually wrong with the car, as they have both admitted to my face.
• Every 3,000 miles 28 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  the tank should never be allowed to be less than half-full of fluid nor closer than \ in. to the bottom of the filler opening?using only genuine Lockheed brake fluid. Top up battery with distilled water. Add oil to carburetter dashpot. Every 3,000 Miles Drain engine and refill with fresh oil. Give distributor rotating cam a slight smear of engine oil or grease. Remove distributor rotor and add a few drops of thin machine oil in opening.
• Golf Mk3 1.8 Misfire under load 20 Mar 2005 (Forum)
  Hi Board, Hopefully an expert here can help me, my 96 Golf 1.8 is driving me insane (and emptying my wallet!) Here's the story. Over the winter the car has had problems starting in the morning. The battery is strong, but it sometimes took up to 3 or 4 minutes of cranking to get it to splutter into life. Once started, it was always fine for the rest of the day. Possibly related, on two occasions (once after unavoidably driving through a big puddle, the second time when driving while it was raining horizontally) the engine cut out and took another few minutes of cranking to fire up again.
• VW Starting Problems 27 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  Damp: If it has been standing overnight and it has been raining and they go to start it, it is extremely reluctant to fire up ? engine turns over and sounds as if the battery is flat (even though they have their foot on the clutch whilst it?s turning and have pumped the accelerator to the floor once to activate the automatic choke) and are not touching the accelerator during turning the engine over.
• Rover 414i Rusting/Split Spark Plugs. 22 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  [1] 1 & 3. No 4 is Helicolied and will remain untouched for ever. ;-) [2] Beyond the Aluminium/Iron rust battery interface there must be some something else. 6 months for plugs to rust in solid is crazy. [4] [3] Ok Q3 isn't academic. I'd love a look at em! [4] I haven't previously ised copperslip, but will from now on, of course. -- Parp, Parp!
• Primera Starting problem 5 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  I checked that all plugs had a spark, although I used No.1 HT lead to test them all, so unsure if the other HT leads are ok. I then connected jump leads up incase the battery had a dry cell, still no luck. I could also smell petrol, i.e, I assume it's getting through to the cylinder (and the Cat!!!) One other thing that I looked at was the condition of the bore where the plugs fit, there was a creamy/brown dust/powder in the plug bore of cylinder No.1 (not in the cylinder, but above where the plug screws in).
• More headlamp-related problems 27 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  Another possibly relevant fact is that on both headlamo connectors, the plastic has melted slightly round the earth lead. I have tried taking a direct earth feed from the headlight to the battery negative - no difference. The poor old girl is worth peanuts, so I don't really want to spend a fortune at the main dealer getting this sorted (if indeed there is a problem). Anyone out there any ideas???
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  Should I be concerned that my fuel economy is below the quoted MPG? 4 Nov 2025 (Ask HJ)
  I purchased a brand new Hyundai Tucson Ultimate and I am generally happy with all the toys. But two big disappointments to me are the fuel economy and...
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  Can you recommend a 4x4 company car with good load carrying capacity? 28 Feb 2022 (Ask HJ)
  I am looking for a new company vehicle. I work in outdoor events - in the summer I am on green field sites across the country and in the winter I’m doing...
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  What is your advice on the used electric car market? 23 Dec 2021 (Ask HJ)
  Could you give me your thoughts on the second-hand EV car market please as dealers are making a huge mark up? I enquired about a two year old e-Golf that...
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  Are hybrids included in the ban on petrol and diesel cars from 2030? 6 Jul 2021 (Ask HJ)
  My wife and I have owned several Toyota hybrid cars - currently a Corolla Touring Sports - and have been very pleased with them. I must confess that I'm...
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  Was I missold a car because it's not getting the mpg I was told? 22 May 2020 (Ask HJ)
  What do the WLTP phases mean in real terms? Is the extra high phase just motorway driving? Basically, I bought a new Hyundai Kona 1.6 hybrid as I wanted...
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  What's a good project car to dismantle with my son so he can learn about cars? 28 Jun 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I want to find a car that I can take apart with my eight-year-old son so he can learn about how a car is put together. It should be small so the components...
• Toyota Prius plug in 2017 - Very quick review 7 Feb 2018 (Forum)
  For a five seater and potentially a family car, the biggest let down was the boot.  Those batteries have to go somewhere and they are between the rear wheels.  As a result there is only about 8 inches depth from boot floor to luggage cover – the steeply raked boot door also robs space.
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  How do we go about restarting a car that's being stood for several years? 15 Jan 2018 (Ask HJ)
  In 2012 our older brother bought a tatty 2003 Porsche Carrera 996. He had the engine completely rebuilt and was well into the restoration when he got ill....
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  2008 Mitsubishi i: Corrosion problem 20 Mar 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a new mitsubishi 'i' (petrol, not electric) and took delivery in March 2008. It has had three services by Mitsubishi (covered by a service pack...