dipsomaniac

This hasn't happened for around 6 weeks but today after around 40 miles the autobox wouldn't change through the gears (1st to 4th) until around 5000 RPM when usually gear changes are after 2000 RPM. It also changes early when changing up (4th to 1st). It was OK again after switching off the engine and switching back on but happened again later in the journey. Has anyone else experienced this or know what the problem might be? Is it in sports mode? I am hoping it is an electrical/solenoid problem and not a total overhaul. I did have the box serviced around 12 months ago and know that have a slight oil leak.

I would definately get a second opinion from a specialist auto technician. I am having problems with my autobox (occasionally not changing until 5000 RPM) but I have done 140,000 miles. I was quoted

Thanks Andrew. Does that mean that I have definately got an external leak rather than an internal (head gasket) leak? I will try Bars.

Thanks for the replies, very helpful. I have tried all different setting on the climate control, but none were very effective. I must admit I haven't tried using the heated screen as I thought the screen de-mr should work on the CC. Have also been lucky as I haven't experienced the 'internal flooding' problem. I am losing coolant and have been for over 12 months, have replaced the water pump as that was leaking and also the expansion cap. It has been into Fords and they couldn't find the source of the leak despite having the car overnight. How is the coolant getting onto the windscreen? Thanks again

Is anyone else having the same problem, or have any advice? The screen de-mr seems useless and doesn't clear the windscreen above a couple of inches. I'm 6ft and struggle to reach the screen with a cloth. It also seems to be covered in a greasy film (not the Olivia Newton John variety) which is very difficult to remove when driving. It seems to get worst when my girlfriend is in the car?

VAG-COM is software which can diagnose faults, amongst other things. I had the same problem a couple of months ago where my display would flash for a couple of seconds on startup. System reported no errors and an air con expert said that the system maybe getting low on gas or that I may have a loose connection behing the display. I haven't had mine re-gassed, climate control is working OK and hasn't flashed for a couple of months now so I am not worried too much about it.

Hello Rob You can test the control unit by pressing the three buttons displayed in the attached image simultaneously. All parts of the display should light up if it is working OK. Apart from checking the fuses and checking the control motors it is very difficult and time consuming to pinpoint the fault without connecting it up to FDS software. The TIS does list around 20 points to check for a failing A/c system but it is mainly checking voltage between circuits and relays. You would need to have access to a TIS to view these as it difficult to list them on this forum as each point has its own link.

How do you remove the plastic to get to the inhibitor switch?

Thanks Nick. Doesn't the dash need to come out to get to the evaporator, was it expensive? Did yours start as an occassional loss of gas before the pipe broke?

I have been selling speaker grilles on ebay for the last 3 months. Ford charge

Thank you for the replies. I have been lucky so far as I haven't experienced the flooded footwell or the kids putting talc in the vents. If it is a mist, it is a thick mist but not enough so that I can't see where I'm going. It also has a dry ice type smell to it. It happened today after the CC was set at 18 degrees (outside temp 20 degrees) and I had been driving for 100 miles. I switched the system off and the mist continued to leak from the vents for around 2 minutes. Rich, can you confirm whether you think I am still entitled to feel smug?

Occassionally white smoke comes out of the dash vents. This happens when the CC is on or off. It doesn't happen all the time but can startle passengers. Has anyone had the same problem or can anyone advise?

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I could have the same problem Denis with my 1998 model. Will attempt the adjustment and let you know.

Occasionally nothing happens when I turn the ignition key. After jiggling the auto gear lever, engine turns over and starts. Can anyone please advise?

Thanks for the reply Ivor. They keep flashing until I turn them off so I don't think it is anything to do with the remote key. If they are not flashing to warn me of anything, I must be inadvertently hitting the button prior to turning off the engine?

Twice this week after starting my Galaxy the hazard warning lights have come on. I can't remember putting them on after starting, or prior to stopping the car. Has anyone had the same problem, know if I am being warned about any fault or am I just losing my marbles?

Sleazy dealers -

Thank you all for your advice. Very helpful. I can only assume that Ford carried out a pressure test and had the heater open when they refilled the system? There is a smell coming from the heater at certain times but I thought that it was to do with the air con. I will investigate further and post back when I have found the problem. Thanks again.

Thanks JIMSTDI. Haven't used the heater in a while, I'll try it, but will probably loose a couple of stone if I put it on this time of year. Maybe that's not a bad idea as I have been drinking a few more Guinness lately.

Thanks for the reply Topbloke. The waterpump was leaking and hasn't overheated since I have had the car (10 months) as I have kept the coolant level topped up. There is no white smoke, no mayonnaise in the oil filler cap/on dipstick or pressure in the expansion tank. It is a bit of a mystery as prior to the new waterpump being fitted I actually saw the leak and Ford confirmed that the pump had been leaking. I really thought that the problem had been solved. I have just topped it up again today and will keep an eye on how much, if any is lost over time/mileage.

Six weeks ago had waterpump changed as it was leaking. Since then have had to top up the coolant 3 times, 1 pint each time. Took the car back to Ford to check for other leaks but they could not find anything. There is no evidence of a problem with the headgasket. Has anyone got any ideas? Do you think it might just have been an air lock when the system was re-filled? Is it worth using a Bars product, if so pellet or liquid? One mechanic recommended pellet, the other liquid. Any advice would be appreciated.

Engine revs to around 5/6000 rpm before auto box changes gear (all gears). It only happens intermittently and after I have done around 100 continuous miles. When cooled, seems ok again. No faults reporting on the auto box, EVAP fault (I think Ford damaged it when fitting a new water pump) on the engine. Auto box specialist took car for a 10 miles test drive but the it drove perfectly - typical. Gearbox was serviced 2 months ago. Could it be a sticking solenoid when the box gets hot, if so, can this be identified electronically when the fault is occurring, and be repaired without removing the box? Any help would be appreciated.

I have just noticed that the cc display has started flashing when I first start the car. While flashing some very high numbers are displayed (can't tell you what numbers until it happens again) & when I press the auto button things revert back to normal. This only started two days ago & only seems to happen first thing in the morning. Can anyone speak the same language & tell me what it is saying?