December 2010
There is a serious safety issue with electric parking brakes, they can release unexpectedly when in neutral which may result in a front/rear collision unless immediate brake intervention is applied.
To reproduce the problem do as follows :
(1) The car is parked on a hill or slope with the electric parking brake on.
(2) Start the engine.
(3) If not already depressed then depress the clutch but do not engage any gear (still in neutral).
(4) Press & hold down the throttle (even by a small amount).
(5) Take your foot off the clutch pedal, the electric parking brake releases the rear brakes and the car will start to roll forwards or backwards depending on the type of hill or slope. including a slightly slopping garage driveway.
The missing safety protocols in the above processes are :
(1) The electric parking brake should not disengage whilst in neutral.
(2) The electric parking brake should not disengage until a gear is engaged and the clutch begins to bite and the throttle is pressed at the same time.
Has anyone else experienced the above issue and if so which cars/models have this problem ? Read more
Hi
Can anybody out there give me advice concerning a heating problem I'm experiencing with my 1.0L Corsa C? I use the car for commuting every week and never experience warm air from the blower even though the journey is 45 minutes to an hour.... Read more
Mine is the same. Even on a motorway trip it's only just warm enough and although the gauge shows 1/4 it doest throw out much heat..
I've changed the thermostat but no difference. What else could it be ?...
Just wondering whether the 1.7 diesel version of the new/current Astra is basically an "old" engine? I.e. been around for a few years in different guises, tweaks etc.
Something in the back of my mind says that a previous generation 1.7 was not the bees knees, so to speak.... Read more
I have a new model 1.7 cdti.
110hp is not so fast, but it's not because of the motor, rather it has to do with a heavy car in general.
125hp is brilliant. Good pulling power, fanthastic economy for the car that is so heavy.
Very quet for diesel. Kinda feels refine.
I can't be sure is it Isuzu motor or GM.
Love this car.
It's good to know that you dont have to buy Audi to have similar driving feeling, not the same, but still great.
I've driven A3, and I have to tell you that it fells like old generation according to new Astra. I was very surprised. Lets be real the new A3 is going to be probably better, but nice jump by Opel.
If you are aiming to Astra, buy SW.
Hello,
I recently purchased a 2004 Peugeot 307SW (1.6 petrol) but in the 2 months we've had it there have been 5 or 6 occasions when it wouldn't start - Turn the key and simply nothing happens. There have also been countless other occasions when it has started but only on the 2nd or 3rd twist of the key (note: no turn-over on the first attempts - nothing at all - but then suddenly life).... Read more
Hi All,
...
Hi, looking for some help with a 2004 fiesta zetec.
Tryed starting it this morning and i get all the lights,radio,fans but when i turn the key again to start the engine,nothing at all happens. No noises, no clicks no attempt to tick over at all.... Read more
Moved to Technical.
Ok here's an interesting one.
I recently spent a couple of months working as a motorcycle courier, riding a bike hired to me by the courier company.... Read more
Just to give the final outcome on this, the PATAS adjudicator found in my favour and directed City of Westminster to cancel the PCN. Letter arrived in the post today.
The reason was that they weren't satisfied that the ticket was properly issued, despite CoW's submission to PATAS saying that it was....
Hi I'm new to this and as my names suggests a bit of a car biff, but not totally. I have a 02 plate 307 2.0l HDI. I've just had the alternator belt and battery replaced and a subsequent software reset aswell at a Peugeot dealer. Car has been fine since Monday when I got it back. Drove to the shop today and it was fine. Got in the car to come home, when the car turns over, it feels like the car is rattling and that the engine missing a beat, when I drive it there seems to be no power when I change gear either just driving along, go to turn in a junction there is no power when I press down on the accelerator. I'm at a loss to what could be the problem any ideas so I can get out in the garage and see if any tips work. Cheers Si Read more
Hi mate, I'm just gonna take it back to the dealer, I give it a quick drive this morning up to the shop no better, and blowing white smoke out the exhaust aswell. Only had the full fuel system changed a couple of years ago (put petrol in, instead of diesel), so the repairs should still be covered if it's connected to the turbo or the fuel injectors. But your right back to the dealers. Ta Si
Hi all - am new user and greatly appreciate any help at all!!
My pug recently developed P0401 "EGR insufficient flow" so I removed and cleaned EGR pipe and surrounding pipes out although they were not all that clogged. This is accompanied with severe lack of power (limp mode i guess). Next I tested EGR valve vacuum operation - again seemed fine and also did basic check of elec current - seems OK. Also checked servo operation, for hose leaks down to turbo - again no probs detected.... Read more
When the EGR valve opens under instruction from the ECU the MAF should see a corresponding reduction in airflow, as exhaust gas has now replaced the air.
When it didn't see this ( due to the dirty MAF ) it threw up a EGR code thinking the EGR hadn't opened & was faulty....
Hi.
I've seen on the site about other people having the same problem as I now have, Glow plug warning light coming on, and was wondering is anyone has replaced the diesel injectors on their car. I have heard that they need programming into the (ECU I think) but just wondered if I could change them over myself.... Read more
Which is the cheapest option please?
We took our 56 plate Mondeo ST 2.0ltr diesel to the garage with exactly the same symptoms the first poster had and they told us we needed to replace the EGR valve....
Hi all, my screen wash has decided not to work after this long cold spell.
The container is full and not frozen, and the rubber tubes to the container and nozzles are not frozen and clear, I disconnected them and have blown through them.... Read more
It was fuse F3 that had blown, replaced now working fine.
Thank You
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I quite like my EPB, but for those who buy a second hand car and keep it as long as reasonably possible, it makes sense to use it just occasionally, because, like an electric window, it will cost a lot to repair if it breaks. Unless parked on a particularly steep hill which would put a strain on the auto 'P' locking pin, I never use it.