I remember when motor cars were simple to fix.
- Thread starter Dave7
- Start date
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Bumper off is only 5 minutes, if you have done them before. Quite a few cars out there that need the rest bumper off to remove the back light, although sometimes you can get to the bulbs.
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
You hadn't had the wheels positions changed have you ?My experiences are contrary to yours.
From the 80s on I had new cars every 2 years with very few problems.
Since the computer type cars we have had one that cost me a small fortune as no one could diagnose why the master warning light kept coming on (in the end I had to px it..........a 13 plate that kept giving warnings....and now this thing that may have to go in JUST SO I CAN PUT AIR IN THE TYRE.
(capitals directed at car...not you)
TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) transmit the information to the car. They'e programmed originally to each corner of the car. If you'e
Had new tyres say On the front and they unwittingly swapped their positions, the system will detect it.
On my 15 plate Astra if I have a TPMS warning, I simply fill the tyre to the appropriate pressure , turn on the ignition/start the car, it goes through a self check and clears the warning. That'
All you normally have to do.
If I say have the car programmed to say a heavy load on the Infotainment screen, with 40psi being what the sensors are looking for....if I put normal pressure in one tyre...ie 30 psi...the car will give a warning because pressure may be unequal to each other.
TPMS sensors are apparently not that good on Vauxhall and maybe other makes too. The valves are alloy instead of brass and subject to corrosion, a common problem which causes slow loss of pressure...and frequent warnings...DAMHIKT.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Its part of the service schedule to put a smear of special grease on the exposed parts of the TPMS at head service, but no one anywhere bothers.
The ones on Mrs D's Kia are very heavy looking and shiny, possibly stainless. I guess Kia have designed the wheels with a gram or two extra here and there to balance it.
The ones on Mrs D's Kia are very heavy looking and shiny, possibly stainless. I guess Kia have designed the wheels with a gram or two extra here and there to balance it.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I had an old KA, the first time I blew a bulb I changed it myself, the second time I took it to Halfords. Whilst I was there I heard them telling the driver of a large 4x4 he'd have to take it to the dealer they couldn't change the bulb for him.
pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
I use to have a Citroen Picasso.,the battery gave up the ghost.No problems,I thought I will nip to Halfords get a new battery. Lifted the bonnet to check what I needed, no battery Checked the hand book to find I was under the front passenger seat.had to get the garage out as the seat needed to be removed to get the battery out.
Simple I don’t think so.
Simple I don’t think so.
pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
Can you remember the old Minis the engine had to be lifted to replace the 1 inch piece of hose.
That is Halfords for you, I watched a lad grad the bulb with his greasy fingers, drop the bulb on the and then still fit it. I told the customer that they should not be paying for it, they just shrugged their shoulders.
Halfords sell good aerosol laquer, just saying in case anyone thinks I knocking them.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Yep, lets hope they've got the top trunnion sorted too (it can seize and unscrew itself leading to the front suspension collapsing)
Levo-Lon
Guru
I changed a clutch ,engine in situ in my garage on a 850 mini.
That was a chalange i can tell ya
I don't necessarily think modern cars are more reliable. It depends on what you're comparing them to. MK1 and MK2 Golfs can easily clock up intergalactic mileage with only basic maintenance and even if you need to work on it, it's child's play and easily within the scope of the DIY mechanic. They were great to drive too. I find modern cars feel very detached from the road.
I think we're reaching a point where cars are becoming the same as a fridge or other white goods in that they work well for the duration of the warranty period and then need to be thrown away.
I think we're reaching a point where cars are becoming the same as a fridge or other white goods in that they work well for the duration of the warranty period and then need to be thrown away.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
I had a mark 2 cortina. It never let me down in 130000 miles although things did go wrong and need fixing I always made it home. I remember doing an engine swap in the rain by myself in an hour and a half. This wasn't due to fault but me wanting a 1600. Sadly the 1.5 hours was swapping back because I failed to get the 1600 to start.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Never transplant a motor you haven't heard running, it might be knackered.Profpointy
Legendary Member
Yebbut how do you if it runs unless you transplant it ? I suspect I'd just got the leads mixed up or something equally silly, but I was running out of time and needed to drive it back home 100 miles away.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I've done more than a few engine swaps over the years, I'd always want to take the new 'mill' out of the donor car myself. I also know a bunch of people who've bought engines from scrapyards or private sellers who have ended up with a 'Bag of Nails'.
