[tommytwotone]

Awesome, cheers TTT (&BTOL for the garage details). That's exactly what my colleague's just said to me as well.

If I'd have have thought about it properly I would have realised that there's an error log saved by the computer. 

It's working fine so I'll just carry on as usual. Service & MOT due in a month so that will hopefully pick anything up.

As if to back up my own point - just had mine back in the garage as my traction control light came on last weekend. Coincidentally my EGR light was on, and I've been getting that and the "engine" light come on regularly over the last couple of months.


The put it on diagnostic and:


Traction control light - no faults listed, all they spotted was my rear brake light bulbs had blown, they replaced them and it went off.


EGR light - fault listed for a sensor they fitted 9 months ago which they tested and was working fine, no other faults listed.

[cheque]

Mine was the same- haven't had any problems at all since that one morning, passed MOT with no advisories and service listed no diagnostic problems whatsoever.

[lagerstarfish]

I got the van ready for MOT over the last week - couple of new tyres, new bulbs where needed, temporarily sorted LPG leak etc

today is has started pissing fluid (probably engine coolant)

hopefully it will be split hose near the water pump rather than the pump itself - changing the pump is a time consuming process exacerbated by having to mine past/through the LPG system to get to it

going to put it in for MOT as planned and see if it's a quick fix, otherwise it might not be worth the money (LPG tank needs replacing as well - rest of van could fall apart at any moment)

I just want to squeeze another year out of it

[jfdm]

Fucking cars indeed.
Have had 118d bm 2012, 50k miles for over two years.
Good economy, nice to drive etc.
Last couple of weeks felt rough at idle with engine vibration through car.
On fri last week pulled away in first, loss of power, had to over rev to get it running.
No dash warning lights etc, just sounds like I'm driving a bag of spanners, vibration more noticeable over last few days.
Last drove today taken to garage for service/mot, due now fortunately, passed mot.
Upshot is that garage computers came back with zilch.
Mechanic said needed to be taken to main dealer, he stated "whoosh" had gone.
Possible software electronic glitch.
What a ball ache can see me pissing away good money after bad.
Anybody got any ideas?
Having been thinking over last few months that this car might not be for me....

[Jim]

If you suspect software type issue, always worth a try disconnecting the battery for 10 or 15 minutes which should reset the engine management

[Paul B]

On fri last week pulled away in first, loss of power, had to over rev to get it running.

Was it in limp mode i.e. no turbo (no woosh)?

You say the codes came back with zero, but you seem to get a variable results with this depending on which type of garage you've used.

In Sheffield, I'd say take it to one of the two specialists (Quarry or the other one in Don Valley). Also, Bimmer forums are probably a better place to ask than here (I never had an issue diagnosing my E46 problems on there).

More info like whether it's getting up to temperature (perceived quality means this info is damped so a minor amount off optimum is reasonably significant) would be useful.

Disconnecting the MAF is always worth a shot with intermittent power issues.

[jfdm]

Thanks Paul and Jim,
Going to take it to inde BMW specialist.
Live in London, most of drive to work 40-50mph.
But quite a bit of stop starting on the way back due to heavy traffic etc.
Had a look on line, not the best place to diagnose faults.
But reading up on possible dual mass fly wheel failure.
Oh dear, if this the case.

[tomtom]

Thanks Paul and Jim,
Going to take it to inde BMW specialist.
Live in London, most of drive to work 40-50mph.
But quite a bit of stop starting on the way back due to heavy traffic etc.
Had a look on line, not the best place to diagnose faults.
But reading up on possible dual mass fly wheel failure.
Oh dear, if this the case.

Its a manual?

I take it the engine sounds fine when you rev it up out of gear when stationary etc..?

If it is the DMF then that may sound expensive, but in the realm of 'bad things that can happen to a turbo charged diesel engine' it is actually good news... fairly straight forward to replace - doesnt involve any "we're not sure whats happening so we'll randomly change sensors/components" type electrical fault diagnosis - no expensive DPF/exhaust issues - no very expensive turbo issues...

[jfdm]

Thanks Paul and Jim,
Going to take it to inde BMW specialist.
Live in London, most of drive to work 40-50mph.
But quite a bit of stop starting on the way back due to heavy traffic etc.
Had a look on line, not the best place to diagnose faults.
But reading up on possible dual mass fly wheel failure.
Oh dear, if this the case.

Its a manual?

I take it the engine sounds fine when you rev it up out of gear when stationary etc..?

If it is the DMF then that may sound expensive, but in the realm of 'bad things that can happen to a turbo charged diesel engine' it is actually good news... fairly straight forward to replace - doesnt involve any "we're not sure whats happening so we'll randomly change sensors/components" type electrical fault diagnosis - no expensive DPF/exhaust issues - no very expensive turbo issues...

Yep manual, booked into garage for Tuesday, not going to chance my arm driving it until then. Hopefully nothing too sinister. Will find out in due course. I was up for changing the car after it's mot, to some kind of petrol/hybrid auto, as I drive round the n circ every in London. Lots of stop starting stationary traffic. So thats why I think it could be the dmf, but I'm no mechanic. Will just have to see. Things are not going to well for family jfdm at the moment, seems like one thing after another. On the plus note means I now can't get to arch north so until its fixed will be at Arch in town, loads of problems to go at there, not been there for ages.

[jfdm]

Quite a bit of thinking yesterday arvo about what to do with car.
Went to Car Giant in the end - huge car supermarket, to see if it could be part-ex.
The drive there was a bit white knuckle, 1st/2nd really ropey.
Heart in mouth when valuer revved it stating, something not quite right.
That would need to be taken to garage for computer diagnostics.
Was thinking he would come back saying would not accept in this condition.
Anyway 10 mins later came back, prob with dmf/clutch, so offer p/x price minus £500.
Said common problem with diesel beemers driven in city.
Diesel owners be careful riding the clutch around city.
Things starting to add up with car, needed new break pads and disc at rear £400.
New tyre at least £100, this would be ontop of fixing clutch/dmf.
So accepted this p/x this towards newer Aygo, 1litre, petrol, auto.
No car tax, great economy, loads of kit, more of a relaxed run around.
Downside might be Mrs jfdm might have to get out and push when going up hill.
Time will tell if it was a good idea or not.

[tomtom]

Knowing when to stick or twist is hard... hope the new motor works out..

[dunnyg]

MOT says no to my focus estate. Does anyone know any not shit 2nd hand dealers round Leeds/Halifax way. Looking for a small estate with as few miles as possible for £1500 tops...

I have been cruising gumtree, autotrader, random used car websites. If anyone has any recommendations that would be great. Or if anyone wants to by a focus estate....

[tomtom]

What did it fail on?

[dunnyg]

Got a hole in the rear near (I think) side that needs welding and there are some major issues with the rear axle. I can't remember exactly what he said, but I need to go reclaim it tonight so I can find out.

[tomtom]

Might not be that bad to fix... though I guess if it's more than say £500 it's not worth it for an extra year..

[dunnyg]

The mechanic said about £500, and he would cap it at £600 to get it through the MOT, so i'm pretty sure it is time to move on 

[tomtom]

Stick or twist!

[dunnyg]

Its a log game the cheap car game...

[Denbob99]

Sure this has been answered elsewhere but struggled to find anything recent through the search.

Anyone got any recommendations for a good garage to get an MOT done? Preferably near Nether Edge or maybe Bramall Lane.

Cheers

[alx]

We use the Halfords autocentre in the centre of town. Easy job to leave the car there during the day, pick up in the evening after work. They do a good job and I've never had issues with them.

Some of the academics I work with use the MOT prestige car centre at the top of cementary road at the back of Netheredge with good results.

[James Malloch]

I've a 2009 Citroen Berlingo Multispace and would like to fit a new stereo with bluetooth etc.

I asked in Halfords and they said an adapter to connect a new stereo to the Control Stalk on the steering wheel would be approaching £200. That's just for the adapter!!

I was quoted about £35 for my astra when I had it so this price seems a little ridiculous. Perhaps they don't sell a cheap version for my vehicle, or so I hope...

Does anyone who knows anything about this have an idea where I could source a cheaper version? I can get the normal adapter to make it work for a tenner but I would like to keep the stalk's functionality if possible.

[tomtom]

I've a 2009 Citroen Berlingo Multispace and would like to fit a new stereo with bluetooth etc.

I asked in Halfords and they said an adapter to connect a new stereo to the Control Stalk on the steering wheel would be approaching £200. That's just for the adapter!!

I was quoted about £35 for my astra when I had it so this price seems a little ridiculous. Perhaps they don't sell a cheap version for my vehicle, or so I hope...

Does anyone who knows anything about this have an idea where I could source a cheaper version? I can get the normal adapter to make it work for a tenner but I would like to keep the stalk's functionality if possible.

No idea if any of these are suitable - but looks like £20-40 is more like it....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Vehicle-Steering-Wheel-Interfaces-for-Berlingo/174122/bn_9791609

[Will Hunt]

2013 Skoda Fabia hatchback (the best car ever created  )

I park on a sloped drive and always reverse on so the car is pointing downhill. Sometimes, particularly if the car isn't used for a day or two, the brakes can stick on momentarily when going to set off. They come loose with a little "bang" (it's not like it's an explosion or anything, but that's the best word I can think of to describe it).

So, yesterday morning, car hasn't been driven since Saturday. Handbrake comes off and car doesn't go anywhere (normally we're rolling down the drive at this point). Had to use a bit of gas to "break free" from the moorings. This has happened before but not with this much "stick", normally the weight of the car on the slope is enough to get it shifting. Has also happened on flat ground so not sure if that's a factor. Yesterday was particularly bad as it felt like the brake was sticking right down the drive and only really released when I reversed a little.
Oddly, when I drove it on the Saturday morning the car had been stood for a fortnight and I didn't really have a problem.

Does anyone know what this is? It doesn't seem to be doing any harm at the moment but I'd like to nip it in the bud if it's going to be an issue.

[tomtom]

Drive faster

[Coops_13]

There's a part in the wheel which is broken, causing the spring that releases your handbrake not to work. I can't remember what this part is called but I had mine replaced after having similar issues. It was a quick, cheap and simple job from a KwikFit or similar