davetech

Maybe it was moved; or maybe I am totally losing it (quite feasible these days) and it was in the right place to start with :38:

Hi Jayne; warm welcome. Your car is not a Mk3, so I'm sure it will be moved to the Mk1/Mk2 forum by a Mod soon enough. That forum is more active than this one, so you are more likely to get an answer sooner.

After changing my headlights a couple of times, dropped a screw and couldn't see it. I removed the engine skid plate (belly cover) from underneath, which looks more tedious than it is. It didn't take long and the screw fell out.

I think you may have a faulty indicator stalk. The sidelights (both sides) should illuminate when you unlock the car. If one is on, it sounds like the parking light facility, which is operated by putting your indicator stalk up or down (as if indicating left or right) then locking the car. Sometimes you see cars on the side of the road with one sidelight on; this is the parking light facility. Seen a few flat batteries when owners with weak batteries have accidentally caught the stalk before exiting the vehicle and not noticing the sidelight on one side (front and rear) are on all night.

I had a set of winter tyres when I lived in Germany. Fitted around October, November and removed in March... every year. Huge difference to road holding. UK seem to be the only country in Europe that does not wholly embrace the winter tyre ethos. Most people naively believe they are just for snow, but when you investigate further, you find out that "summer" tyres harden at around 7 degrees Celsius; whereas winter tyres remain supple.

Hi Minius. My air-con story is one of poor franchise customer service followed by excellent solution instigated directly from Ford head office. Having owned quite a few Galaxys previously, when I purchased my Mk3 2.2 in 2008, was expecting great things since it had the extra aircon unit at the back. When the aircon did not perform anywhere near as well as my previous Galaxys (without the extra unit), I took it to a Ford dealer. I was told there were no leaks and it just needed re-gassing. When I said my other cars (over 10 years old) never needed re-gassing, I was told the usual stories of some cars do and some cars don't. I was also told it definitely was not leaking. The aircon worked for a short time, but then winter was upon us. I took it in another twice and each time they tested for leaks and said there was none and re-gassed it (2 different dealers so far). After the warranty had run out, I took it for a service and when they asked if anything else was wrong, I told them the aircon was still rubbish. This time (out of warranty), they said there was a leak in the rear unit (approx £600 to repair). When I asked if this could have been there since the car was manufactured, they said it could have been. Time to escalate. First letter to Ford head office, they did not even read; as soon as they looked at the reg number, it will have told them the car was over 3 years old, so they just responded with "It's out of warranty". A very irate letter followed which got me an apology and I should take it to my local Ford dealer to see what they say. My local Ford dealer immediately said they would change the rear unit free of charge, which they did (I am convinced under instruction from Ford). It was worth the persistance. Now I have a 7 year old Galaxy (with 35K on the clock), with ice-cold air-con; it will need it this summer. Don't give up and do write to Ford head office... more than once.

My 08 2.2TDCi apparently has the same front brake system as a Mondeo ST220 according to my local garage who recently changed the discs. Hope this helps.

OK. Now who feels the fool?! Had my latest Galaxy for 6 years and only now discovered I have got the orange glow.

My old BMW 5 series has exactly the same as you describe. It does give a nice warm luxurious glow in the cabin; wish my Gal had them.

That is a surprise. The mechanic tried everything, including checking for fault codes with his handheld computer. He was about to give up when we skeptically tried this solution and fortunately for us it worked. I must admit, the 3 minute wait before refitting the battery seemed a bit longer than 3 minutes. Also, he might have turned the key to position II before the 3 minutes started. The important point was to have the key at position II while reconnecting the battery. Another thought is that mine is a 58 plate 2.2 TDCi, but I would have thought the immobiliser system would have been the same on all Mk III TDCis.

I am delighted to be able to say that this exact same thing happened to me last week. I was dragged off camping and the wife left a cool box plugged into the 12V socket in the boot. Battery went flat and when attempted to jump start, got the message Immobiliser Active and Engine Malfunction. At this point, I was stuck out in the sticks on a huge campsite. AA sent a third party garage out to sort the problem out. The mechanic said he had come across this before and we would have to be recovered to a Ford garage (with 3 kids and a dog). When I stated this had happened before and the AA mechanic rectified it, the poor chap felt obliged to ring around and see if anybody could solve the problem. Eventually, a helpline which is run by the AA for their mechanics, gave him the solution; which I shall now never forget: 1. Ensure the battery is charged enough to start the car (or fit a new battery). 2. Make sure you have left the driver's car window open (or door if the window doesn't work like mine didn't). 3. Disconnect the battery positive terminal. 4. Wait 3 minutes. 5. Turn ignition to position II. 6. Reconnect the battery. 7. Turn the key the rest of the way to start the engine. You will then need to enter your radio keycode, and the 1 touch windows might need resetting.

My 2.2 TDCi (22 months old and 10k miles) was doing the same; ie not cooling at all. Took it to the main dealers to have it repaired under warranty. 60 quid later (of course the gas only has a 12 month warranty), was told it just needed re-gassing. Was given advice that all cars need re-gassing every couple of years. No answer when I questioned how the Peugeot 406 I owned for 12 years never did, and the 9 year old BMW (140k miles) I use has never been re-gassed.

I got my 2.2 in September 2008. It doesn't have DAB. I also have the blinds for the 2nd & 3rd rows, which I never asked for. I assumed it was just another upgrade from Ford for the 2008.5 model. I have been assured that this is definitely an optional extra that should have been paid for. The dealer said some Galaxies around that time were beign received with these fitted. His explanation is that Ford may have run out of "ordinary" doors when my car was made, so I got a lucky free upgrade. This could help to narrow down when your car was manufactured. Evidence being... No DAB, free door blinds; possibly a Jul-Sep 08 model.

As you can see from my list below, I have had quite a few galaxies. I am aware that many Galaxy owners have had nightmares with their cars. I can only assume I have been very lucky (or is it that people only report problems and not praise). I did at one point consider the Citroen C8, but my brother-in-law had a nightmare with his. He replaced it after 8 months with a Voyager which had almost as many problems. This helped me to decide to stay with the Galaxy. My current one (the 2.2) has yet again been excellent. My previous ones had minor faults, but this one has had nothing except a one off alarm message which has not re-occurred. I was going to change to the S-Max in October, but have now decided to keep this one, it has simply been that good.

I'm on my 3rd MkIII now with the Panoramic Roof. I personally didn't want to get it last time, as I think the amount of glass visible is not worth the money. It was only the threats from the missus which caused me to relent and get it again. If we had the option, we would remove the total waste of space and annoying centre consoles (you can't put much in them as the contents rattle more than the console itself), it would be nice to have more of the huge glass available. As for the heating up of the interior, the new solar reflect windshield and extra air con unit fitted to the rear has made a big difference to the previous models.

Happened to me on my 2.2 after 1400 miles. Drove it to my local Ford garage, but then remembered something on this forum about faults being cleared automatically. I locked then re-opened the car and the fault had cleared. It has only happened once. If it happens again, I'll take it to Ford, but will not remove the key from the ignition until they have seen the error message.

Had my 2.2 for 2 weeks now. No problems with the steering. Same as my 2.0, except for a slight whine at full lock.

Hello everybody. Although I've been browsing this forum for some time now (and replied to a couple of topics), I thought it was about time to say hello. I'm picking up my 6th Gal Ghia diesel next Friday (previous MkII 115, 130, 150, MkIII 140, 140). I'm looking forward to trying the 2.2. The posts on this site have proved exceptional, useful and informative. As you might guess from my history, I have never had a major problem with any of my Gals; and can safely say, we (the family) are pretty much addicted. I can only suggest that those who have been unfortunate with major problems are unlucky and in the minority (or am I lucky and in the minority?). Keep up the excellent posts. C4N, Dave.

This link clears everything up: http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_dis...m?release=27832

My 150bhp MKII handled OK, but cornering while flooring it in 2nd or 3rd sometimes raised the hairs on the back of the neck; whereas the MKIII handles superbly and seems to want more.

That would be good. I wonder why it needs a 2.2 litre to produce 170BHP when VW get 170BHP from a 2 litre diesel (Skoda Octavia VRS diesel for example). I'm not complaining, just wondering. The Mk III Galaxy will handle the 170BHP better than the MK II handled 150BHP.

The MkII 150 was faster, but I'd say a little too fast for the handling of the car. The MkIII 140 is still quick, but not quite as fast. It's the handling which is far superior, which makes you think it would enjoy more power.

I am now on my second Mk III 2.0 TDCi Ghia. The 1st one was good (apart from the dripping air-con pipe on the drivers foot, the windscreen strip flying off somewhere on the motorway and the annoying reflection in the drivers window at night). There were no problems with the interior lights. The new one has different front individual interior lights. These ones are pointing forward. Not only is this ridiculous for trying to see something in your lap, it shines into the sensor causing the auto dimming mirror to dim when you don't want it to. Ford dealer acknowledges it is daft, but says there is nothing they can do. If they changed the lights, it would be for the same type with the same problem. Why have they changed something which was working well? Who do you complain to about a design fault?

I would like to re-ask the original question... Does anybody know if there is any intention of bringing out a more powerful diesel. I started with a 115 Mk II, upgraded to a 130, then a 150. I'm now on my second 140 Mk III. The 150 Mk II was quite scary with its soft handling. The Mk III could easily handle an increase in power in comparison to the Mk II.

I've had my second Mk III for 5 weeks now. I kept the tonneau cover from the first one in the cellar. It's been there for over a year and is likely to stay there. I got the panoramic roof again. Wife and kids like it, but I don't rate it much. I suspect I might miss the light and airiness if I didn't have it though. For some inexplicable reason, Ford have changed the decent interior lights for some rubbish stuff out of a McDonald's Happy Meal. The front lights point forward at the dash (towards the auto dimming rear view mirror sensor) and the middle light on mine keeps falling down on one side. I have the Sony single disc CD player this time (not requested, but apparently due to the Traction Control now fitted as standard) which replaced the 6 disc Ford player I had last year; at least this one plays MP3s. This is my second Mk III after 3 Mk IIs in the last 5 years. I was dubious about going to a Ford built car after the proven ( Volkswagen) Mk II. There is no comparison. The Mk III is infinitely better at handling and is so much more pleasurable to drive. Although my last Mk II had 150PS with its 1.9 litre dieslen engine. I still cannot fathom why I only have 140PS from my 2.0 litre diesel now. I wonder if there are any plans to increase engine power now that the chassis and handling can handle it. Enjoy your Mk III. It is a great car (albeit the usual Ford quality niggles).