Ivor_E_Tower

Aha, my front ashtray doesn't illuminate; this could mean that I will be taking the console apart this week-end to look for a blown bulb.

Sounds a bid dodgy to me. Water and oil do not mix, so the oil won't be hydrogenated (err, hydro = water, hydrogen..ated = hydrogen???). Maybe it's some of the "lighter" things in the oil "burning off" at temperature in the engine, but then why would they be in the oil if they were going to get burnt off?

I'd avoid buying any used car that pulled to the left and/or had an alloy with a chunk out of it! Sounds like you've already made your mind up, so if you can afford to run it (NB insurance costs) then go for it, and live a little bit!

Yes - go to dealer (groan) and have the sensors re-programmed. This is a "known" thing that needs doing if you have a towbar (several other postings are on this forum addressing this particular query).

If you're worried about costs, go for the diesel, especially if most of your miles are at low speed in town with engine not really getting warm. I'm a low annual miles user, paying all motoring costs from my own pocket, and I chose diesel because: 1) more relaxing and fits my driving style; less gear-changing around town where greater torque of diesel engine comes into its own 2) lower annual fuel bill 3) low mileage in petrol car rots the exhaust and catalyst, especially on short journeys 4) diesel is less polluting (although depending on which stories you read about particulates this may or may not be true) 5) diesel should have better re-sale value, even though I plan to keep the car for several years (maybe 10) Don't forget that the V6 is MUCH more expensive to insure, something like 4 groups higher that 2.3 or diesels with most insurance companies. If you really want performance and/or like to rev the engine loads, then diesel will not suit you. Each to his/her own! Ivor.

I would not suggest mounting them in the tailgate! Not only will the bumper mask their "sight" but you'll have to mount them a little bit up from the flange at the base of the tailgate. Plus, you'll have to pass teh wire through from the body to the tailgate and we know that this is an area where wires often break.... The Gal's rear bumper is not THAT low, surely these sensors should be suitable for mounting on the rear bumper? Have you got 2 or 4 sensors? Could try mounting 2, one each side on the corner part of the bumper under the rear light clusters.

You can get blanking plated for full DIN hole and remainder of hole from Ford audio units - try Halfords or car audio places. Faelifetd Galaxy - a link was posted here from the Frankfurt motor show a few weeks back. Autocar (I'm a subscriber) and Auto Express have carried short statements to the effect that Galaxy and Sharan are being facelifted - no news yet on Alhambra. Sharan will get for instance side indicator repeaters in the door mirrors whereas Gal retains front wing versions.

I've not got multifunction wheel either, just the slider on the lhs stalk...and mine doesn't make a noise when operated.

It should fit OK but you will need a dashboard adapter plate or two. Standard Ford units are DIN-and-a-half (or thereabouts) whereas surround for the Ford Satnav system and dash on Sharan and Alhambra leave a double-DIN hole in the dash. The Ford double-DIN surround only costs a few quid and the panels to cover the gap are a little bit pricey from what I've seen (about

Dagenham Motors Group were running adverts in the local paper last week offering special deals; they have several branches across the south-east but don't know where you are. You could also try Ford Direct if you are looking to get an almost new one (www.forddirect.co.uk or similar).

Colleague with Seat has petrol-engined Ibiza that he bought new in 2001. Has used Wiltshire & Sons in Farnham for routine servicing and no problems have occurred. Work has been done OK but he neither recommends nor doesn't recommend them (?) as they have only had routine work to do.

The Ford guard appears to be quite good, if a little expensive. I'm still looking for a "L"-shaped one to allow 6 people on seats plus pet.

err sorry - the implication in my response was that you shouldn't just remake the joint. but run a new length of wire through the "gap" from body to tailgate. Heat (from the sun) shouldn't make that much difference - what about the cars that are sold/used in Southern Spain, where ambient temp is much higher than in UK?

I take it from this then , SA I, that your cruise control light works. I have driven 4 Galaxys with cruise control (including my own) and on NONE of them has the light worked. Is this another Ford cost-cutting measure I wonder?

Camberley Citizen's Advice Centre is in the car park next to the council offices off Knoll Road; could start there. Opening hours are a bit limted (ISTR 10am to 4pm Mon to Fri). Colleague with SEAT not yet at work; will ask later on today.

I stand to be corrected but I don't think that there is a kit - even if there is, it will be cheaper for you to fix it without. Probably best to use soldering iron and sleeving, if you can run an iron to the car (extension lead or a gas-powered one) - also try to use cable that is designed to be flexed and be sure it has the correct current rating. Not yet done a tailgate repair but have done door cable repairs on another car and also dishwasher door-lead repairs!

This is a bit worrying - I live within walking distance of the dealer you named. They seem to have a mixed reputation then because they are used by one of Autocar/Haymarket Publishing's Directors for his Alhambra and they got good write-ups. Don't know about the Farnham dealer - think it's Wiltshire and Sons or something like that. I work with someone who has an Ibiza purchased new from them and will ask him next week what he thinks of them. I would suggest that a major-ish oil leak on such a "new" engine ought to be fixed for free by the offending dealer. err, you could risk using Whites of Camberley, the VW Main Dealer for the area but the problem is finding somewhere to park at their service centre.

earwig oh again TIS CD is the Ford technical information CD-ROM issued to dealers to help them try to fix technical problems. One can but them from certain sources, eg Ebay (although there seem doubts as to their legality) but they can be useful in sorting some problems with the Galaxy (and other Ford vehicles). ISTR that Mk I Speaker grilles can be cut off without removing the door trim, and the recommended (by Ford?) repair is to use a hot-melt glue gun to fit replacements, thereby also avoiding the need to remove the door trim. As has been remntioned, it may pay to invest in some after-market speakers with metal grilles. Hope this helps Ivor (De Silva?)

Removing the sensor will cause the "electronics" to enter a different mode where almost normal driveability should be detected. If this is the case then you have a duff MAF sensor. As I understand it, this is the first simple test to perform.. Let us know how you get on please.

You shouldn't have a draft around the gearlever - suggest that you take out the surround and check for missing panels etc. Yes, it does take a long time for the heater to work :-(( Not much you can do about this - unless if car is parked close to your house, run an electric fan heater into it and switch it on from inside the house. Make sure that the heater is placed inside the car on something that won't melt if it gets too hot! HTH Ivor

Main dealer must be wrong (there's a surprise) as it's mandatory for the light/buzzer to work when trailer is connected - that is why the light is there in the first place. Car manufacturers would not waste money on fitting it if it were not needed. Back to the dealer you go....... Good luck.

John J - do a search on the site. There have been several postings regarding cruise contrrol faults and the system varies depending on petrol or diesel engines due to different engine management systems etc. One possibility is perished or split hoses under the bonnet - but sometimes the split is so small that it is not easy to find. Good luck in getting it sorted. Ivor.

My Gal's rear wiper misses the middle top of the screen - it won't flex enough for the curve on the glass. Tried bending it but not resolved the problem yet. Perhaps I need to eat some more spinnach? ...or just keep hoping that it stays dry, Have hardly used the wipers in 6 months since getting the car!

TIS CD is worth it if you intent to do any "poking around" and fixing. It's quite hard to work through some bits of it, and it does not seem to cover the basics as it's aimed at Ford garage workshop staff. You should be able to pick one up on e-bay for under a fiver.

Have a look also at the Ford Scorpio site (details of which I've pasted here before, something like www.fordscorpio.co.uk). This is run by an enthusiast for that model and he covers the different audio units in some detail. You may pick up some tips from there on upgrading/adding an autochanger - plus copies of the user manuals. Ivor.