Car D.I.Y.

[Fastpedaller]

Ah - electronic in cars. Windscreen washer on Daughter's Ford wasn't working. When I turned the engine on the airbag light didn't go off. Hmm. looked at handbook for the fuses as I suspected Daughter had tried to wash screen when weather was freezing and blown the fuse. Lo and behold the same fuse!. It was a mini 3-leg fuse, and we tried to buy one between Cambridge and Thetford without luck. When we arrived home in NE Norfolk I tried locally and only 1 of the 3 factors know of fuses like this, so at least I was able to buy a small selection pack. To get the fuse out (behind glovebox) didn't at first appear too difficult..... just lower glovebox after easily removing side 'plug' and extract fuse. I tried tweesers, then pliers, to no avail. Couldn't do it with fingers and was stumped until I found a pair of nail-clippers. I was able to grip it and with a mighty heave it came out. Unlike regular fuses, it had no ridges to locate a fuse extractor tool. Why, oh why? Probably so the main 'stealer can charge for 'a new air bag and a new washer pump sir - that'll be £400?'

 

[fossyant]

I can just imagine, in a few years, when the 'large' car display's get 'cracked' - you know, shove that 3m long plank in the boot from Wickes, all the way to the front, and crack ! That will be a 'new car' sir !

 

[bikingdad90]

If the fuse in the dipped left hand beam on my scenic has gone? It’s a pig of a job to fix, the fuse box is located in the engine bay next to the battery and is connected face down, you can’t just swing it over without disconnecting everything first just to change the bloody fuse. It’s in the auto electrics to check it isn’t a dodgy earth or corroded cable as the light comes on then goes out straight away when you turn the car on, I suspect it’s voltage related thing but not sure.

 

[fossyant]

If the fuse in the dipped left hand beam on my scenic has gone? It’s a pig of a job to fix, the fuse box is located in the engine bay next to the battery and is connected face down, you can’t just swing it over without disconnecting everything first just to change the bloody fuse. It’s in the auto electrics to check it isn’t a dodgy earth or corroded cable as the light comes on then goes out straight away when you turn the car on, I suspect it’s voltage related thing but not sure.

What light come on and goes off ? Many lights must illuminate to show the 'circuit' is working - i.e. if your air bag light doesn't come on on first start, you'll get an MOT fail as they could assume you've disabled the 'bulb'.

If it's the 'dipped beam' light, and it pops on then off, it's unlikely a fuse as it wouldn't work (the lights). Dodgy earth could be a cause - a bit of moisture in my rear lamp connections can cause my car to run badly, as the fuel pump shares a common earth !

 

[Jameshow]

I can just imagine, in a few years, when the 'large' car display's get 'cracked' - you know, shove that 3m long plank in the boot from Wickes, all the way to the front, and crack ! That will be a 'new car' sir !

Did that with some 2.4m timber in a Citroen AX 1 length fitted fine, 10 lengths smashed windscreen! Opps.

 

[bikingdad90]

@fossyant, the dipped beam itself, when you turn the lights on it flashes and then goes off, like it’s shorting out. Auto electrician, just put another new bulb in and all seems to be working fine now.

 

[fossyant]

Did that with some 2.4m timber in a Citroen AX 1 length fitted fine, 10 lengths smashed windscreen! Opps.

My BIL did that on his last day with a 'company' in his company car. Loaded it with timber, straight into the windscreen. Just handed the car back !

 

[Hicky]

Polishing….I’ve got some battle scars on the car I want to try to polish out. I don’t want to go to the lengths of machine polishing so it would be by hand.
What is a decent product for this? I’m assuming a colour matching type?
My car is a Barents blue XC70.

 

[fossyant]

T-cut and go gentle, then autoglym super resin polish or a colour match polish. You could use some G3 products, but you'll need a few. T-Cut (original) is not too harsh and should take out small scratches. Colour matched polish is great for filling in chips and scratches that can't be polished out.

 

[fossyant]

The 'replacement' used clock spring arrives today £35 posted next day. Toyota want about £120 for a crappy plastic ring - not exactly great build quality, nor is any car TBH - just seen my son's VW brand new clock spring !

 

[november4]

My honda crv would do abs passenger warnings, clear with scanner then come back when seat moved. Tried cleaning the underneath connector with contact cleaner, but I found the cure on youtube, said connector is held tight with a tie wrap.....been fine ever since

 

[november4]

I had to take my car to bits to change the alternator, needed the radiator out to get access, so giving it a good tlc while apart. Quotes for changing it reflected the man hours with spanners, I was afraid of 'addons" and so far having fun

 

[Jameshow]

VW caravelle rear suspension making a loud knocking noise booked in tomorrow!

 

[fossyant]

VW caravelle rear suspension making a loud knocking noise booked in tomorrow!

Anti-roll bar stabilisers I recon. They look like double ended lollipops. If you can wiggle it about easily, they are usually worn. Easy job, but work on £100 for labour for an hour.

 

[Jameshow]

Went very quickly over last weekend tbh.