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• Ford Focus - Very odd goings on in my Focus 25 Jul 2011 (Forum)
  I managed to switch it to the fully off position. Then I noticed that the indicators had stopped working. Also noticed that the Brake Warning Light was on. Finally when I'd got home I tried to open the boot to let the dog out and that was also not working. Fortunately he could get out by folding the rear seat down! It seems odd that all these seemingly unrelated problems have just suddenly occurred.
• Vauxhall Vectra B facelift - Cam Belt 29 Jun 2011 (Forum)
  The cam belt snapped on the motorway this week when i was doing about 60 so i expect a fair bit of damage. The garage is telling me that a number of things could have caused the belt to brake and something could have seezed, it will cost over £480 to put right. I know i am over 12 months which is what i would expect a warranty to cover but i have only done about 10k miles in it.
• Vauxhall Vectra B I.8 2003 - Cruise Control System 1 Jun 2011 (Forum)
  I can find no reference the cruise control system in the Haynes workshop manual. It has been suggested that the problem is a weak return spring with the clutch/brake pedal unit not returning to its full position. I have checked the pedals and all seems OK although I am unable to locate the return spring and it is not shown in the workshop manual. Can anyone help with ideas to the problem?
• Ford Fiesta (1995 - 1999) - 1996 1.25 auto - Stalling problem 2 May 2011 (Forum)
  It stalls after turning the engine on and trying to put it into drive. The way I have to press the brake in to put the car into drive is very different to my hubbys Renault Laguna RT (R Reg). It always seems to shudder when putting into drive. Also it stutters a lot when slowing down, approaching junctions and pulling off.
• Ford Mondeo Mk4 - Clutch Slip? 1 Apr 2011 (Forum)
  There is no evidence of clutch slip when pulling away, even on a hill start. Also, in cruise control, when RES is used to return to the selected speed after braking, the engine begins to accelerate and then the the cruise control cuts out back into standby mode, as if the clutch had been depressed. As I have a driving style that is light on the clutch and never in 40 years have I had a clutch problem I am surprised and perturbed.
• Ford Focus Zetec - Clutch pedal plastic eyelet broke?! 16 Mar 2011 (Forum)
  I am am loads of trouble with my 2002 ford focus just lately, probably because I mentioned selling it, she has now cost me nearly £500 since January!! Anyway, after just having had my brake caliper un seized today, the lad who does the repair work on the car for me has rang to say that after depressing the clutch pedal the white plastic eyelet that attaches to the welded stud on the clutch pedal fell off into a few pieces landing in the footwell.
• BMW X3 - Multiple problems 27 Jan 2011 (Forum)
    The following warning lights came on at the same time today: 4x4, ABS, Brake system, Tyre pressure, Air bag; in addition, the speedometer and cruise control do not work and the mileage remaining from the current fuel tank contents moves erratically.   They have quoted me£1.500 for diagnostic work and a new DSC Control unit (which will take 3 - 5 days to come from Germany.
• Datsun Bluebird 910 (1983) - Recommission of car 11 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  Obviously it will need a proper assessment as to what bits need sorting or replaced, but does anyone have any tips for the things that must be done so as to get it back into occasional but reliable use?  I presume change of all the oils & fluids, probably brake pipes, tyres, hoses etc.  Any tips?    
• BMW320i M Sport - Winter Tyres on a BMW - wow wow wow! 3 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  I then tried our FWD Golf on summer tyres on the same circuit and it wouldn't go up the hill (had to reverse off that).  The braking on the winter tyres is excellent compared to the summer tyres. I am now going to purchase a set for our Polo which will shortly replace the Golf. I'm very glad we didn't replace our BMW with a 4x4!
• Audi A4 2.0TDIe - Stop start System 25 Nov 2010 (Forum)
  As an example. the wife was driving home last night and slowed down into 2nd gear for a speed bump. She had the clutch depressed whilst braking and took her foot of the clutch at approx 5mph and pressed the accelarator (In 2nd Gear). At this point the engine cut out and she lost all asistance to the steering. After a second the engine fired again and all was restored.
• Nissan D21 Pickup - Random power loss 8 Jun 2010 (Forum)
  However whilst driving along the power seems to vary quite a lot, its not too extreme, I can keep up with other traffic etc and there does not appear to be any pattern to it. But it will just loose power suddenly, it feels like turbo lag or like the brakes are being lightly applied. Then, very gradualy it will wear off. There is no change in engine noise and no smoke when it happens....Any ideas what it could be? Thanks for reading, Tom PS its a non turbo engine.
• Nissan Micra (1992 - 2003) - 97 1.0 I have a problem with my automatic gearbox 21 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  I have been driving it everyday since I got it, only 4-5 miles a day. I have now noticed that when I slow down and brake or when I am sitting in traffic. The car is making a funny noise and shakes a bit like the noise a car manual car makes just before it's about to stall. If you know what I mean! I'm really worried about it as it's my first car and my knowledge of cars is very limited!
• Nissan Terrano II (1993 - 2005) - 99 2.7 ECU light 30 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  He replaced the sensor again much better now but seem to be using much more diesel. . After a few days my ECU light came on and if i press my brake it go's off again then stays off for a week or two i have no loss of power when it comes on , I would be greatfull for any help cheers Derek
• Driving in snow - advice? 24 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  As I left my road I felt my back wheels slipping (the rear tyres have about 5mm tread on them) and I managed to get down the road at about 10mph then slowly braked but then it felt like I lost all grip and the car skidded slightly. After that I didn't get out of 2nd gear and didn't drive any more than 15mph until I got onto a busier and thus no snow road.
• Rolls Royce - Well I guess there might be a manual... 23 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  Now he has come across a 'barn find' 1972 Series 1 Silver Shadow that he wants to buy but he tells me its brakes are seized. I told him if he knows Citroens he might get on ok with the Royce but he asked me if there is something like a Haynes manual for the model! I have put him in touch with the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts' Club French branch but I wonder if there's anywhere he might find such a thing that I haven't thought of?
• Peugeot 307 (2001 - 2007) - buying an ex-hire car can be a very good idea. 24 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I bought an 04 Peugeot 307 1.4 diesel turbo estate, 96k, FSH, 12 months MoT, good tyres/brakes, for £2400. The thing is I bought it from a small locally owned hire company. I figured that if it had reached 96,000 miles and still drove as solidly as it did it must be ok. Took it for a full service with fingers crossed and there's nothing up with it (phew).
• A modification? 1 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  Had a big debate about this the other evening and wondered what you lot thought. A friend has changed the standard brakes on his car. He has fitted drilled and slotted disks and red high performance pads (the make of which will come back to me in a second) as he found the OEM parts faded under heavy use. The point of disagreement was whether this constituted a modification?
• Honda Civic UK (1995 - 2000) - 96 1.6 Automatic-Handbrake does not hold 28 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  996 N reg/5 door with 54k She says when in drive with the handbrake on the car moves forward, with a groaning noise coming from the rear brakes. I have tested it myself and it does seem that the passenger rear caliper is not working, as the car lurches to one side when moving forward. Is there a known issue with the rear calipers seizing?
• Peugeot 106 (1991 - 2002) - 94 1.4d lack of power 17 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  It starts up very well and the engine is very quiet (compared to a 306 1.9d with 165k anyway) I've got a new fuel filter and air filter in the post. The brakes are not dragging, I've checked each wheel. Do you have any ideas where I should look next?
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 00 1.6 Replacement Clutch Query... 14 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  It's not too dramatic at the moment, and still drives OK 95% of the time, but the biting point is quite high, and it does over-rev occasionally when acclerating in 3rd & 4th. Also it's almost impossible to stall it with the old 1st gear/hand brake test. It just wants to creep forward. I have two questions - A. How much should I reasonably expect to pay a good indie garage to replace it? And, B. if I were to have the cam belt and pulleys changed at the same time, am I likely to save myself much in the way of labour costs, as opposed to doing them on separate occasions?