Muesli Camel

Hi all, it is the 1984cc VW engine with a manual gearbox, I cannot get the vagcom to talk to it, the system connects but doesn't find the boxes. As this is the vw version, I am told it doesn't have the PATS system so am at a bit of a loss where the immobiliser fits in to the whole picture. thanks, MC

thanks I will check, Ihave vagcom and whilst it finds the car it says cannot communicate or something similar when I do a manual search. Right, further to the above, what I know about the car is that it worked well until the passenger footwell did its thing with a blocked drain and now it does not run. Some bright spark has removed the box under the seat which is how I bought it. I have checked the car over and there is no spark, will the lack of the box under the seat cause this or not? Under the passenger seat there is the missing box and the 2 wires that run to it and that is all. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks for you time and wisdom, MC

thanks I will check, Ihave vagcom and whilst it finds the car it says cannot communicate or something similar when I do a manual search.

Hi, thanks for you message, The relay is still there and from memory has no 78 on it, the box that is missing that I have seen on other models has 2 or 3 plugs going into it and is the alarm box thing. If this is missing will it explain why the car does not start but turns over freely enough?

Hi clever helpfull people, further to my last post re the Sharan I have bought that is a non runner, the windows are working as is most of the central locking, I have looked under the passenger seat to check the control box and it is missing. The wires are there that plug into it as is the relay (does anyone know what this relay is for) but no control box. It is a 96 model so this is where it should be but its not! The car turns over fine but doesn't fire, are they linked? I have checked the function of the fuses and solenoids and all are ok. How is it possible that the windows & locking work with no control box? Can anyone of you brainiacs shed some light? Thanks for reading my ramblings this far! MC

Hi, Just a quick one for all you oracles out there, does anyone know for sure if the Ford PATS system was used in the Alhambra and Sharan or was it just the Galaxy? MC

Thanks for coming back, 2 questions based on the above 1) Is it possible that the window control box under the passenger seat could cause non starting? I put a squirt of power in the battery to power it up and the windows and central locking now appear to work, I wiull charge it over night and see if it starts in the morning. 2) Is it only the Ford version of the Shal/Gal/ambra that used the PATS system or was it definately common to all three? Would love to know. MC

Please? Anyone?

Hi all, just bought the above 2.0 Petrol 1996 Sharan dirt cheap as it is a non starter but with test until october and it was cheap!!! this is how the owner described the problem: "Very reliable through and through until the big freeze hit, water somehow leaked into the passenger seat. Engine turns over but refuses to start. the mechanic advised ignition coil and distributor to be changed, so we did but didn't work. the car is all motorway miles. the central locking doesn't work due to the leak, so the doors are opened individually. all the mechanics have various solutions, rac mentioned ecu. so we have decided to sell as spares or repairs. " So, any suggestions, I bought the car to break but as it has test I thought I would investigate it a bit first, I am aware that the water has blown the alarm/widow box unfer the pass seat and this is either down to the blocked drain or poss rear wiper pipe but would this also cause it not to start? I would be grateful for your suggestions. Thanks, MC

Thanks for this info. I have been over the car and to be honest it is not worth saving as it will need a crash panel and rad as well and the rear pass side door and arch is dented so I have deceided to break it instead. I am going to put it on ebay so if anyone needs anything, just search under my user id MIJ544. If you mentioned this website in your question as a thanks for your help I will knock 15% Regards, MC

Thanks for this, I was hoping so, I have done some digging and removed the ecu, you were right, on post 98 models it is behind the dash clocks, I now have a good key with the remote bits complete and working, a good barrel for the ignition and the matching ecu. Now all I have to do is break in the bloody thing, I have a spare rear vent window so breaking this with a hammer at the moment seems the best option, then drilling out the lock unless anyone else has an easier way? I let you know how I get on. Thanks, MC Further to the above I recovered the galaxy today, i drilled the lock off and got past the steering lock and fitted my new remote key and lock. I then changed the ECU behind the clocks to the one that matches the key but no joy as when I turn the key nothing happens. The car has had a prang at the front so there is a possiblility that something has been dislodged which I will investigate but as the owner claims the car drove before he lost the keys and I have no reason to doubt him I think I may be clutching at straws here. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I may or may not have done or not done? Thanks, MC

Thanks for this, I was hoping so, I have done some digging and removed the ecu, you were right, on post 98 models it is behind the dash clocks, I now have a good key with the remote bits complete and working, a good barrel for the ignition and the matching ecu. Now all I have to do is break in the bloody thing, I have a spare rear vent window so breaking this with a hammer at the moment seems the best option, then drilling out the lock unless anyone else has an easier way? I let you know how I get on. Thanks, MC

Hi All, Here is one to ponder (please!!!) I have a 1999 Ford galaxy 2.3 Manual in my garage which I have stripped. I have just seen another one with front damage and lost keys, I have seen the posts on here re programming the keys but is it possible (and easy!) to just swap the ECU from my one to the other one and use that ignition key and lock? I have the ignition key and barrel out already so if this is possible it would just mean locating the ECU? Am I talking out of where the sun doesn't shine or is this a good idea? Your thoughts o wise ones.... MC

Hi All, I purchased a Galaxy for a few parts and have the rest to dispose off. It is a green 1999 2.3 GLX in good condition apart from the bottom end. All parts available and cheap too. call me on 07599 921 285 or send me a message through e-bay under item 190283880636. I am located 5 mins J29 M25.

Thanks everyone, that will be nice and straight forward. I will keep you posted regards, TMC

Hi everyone, just a little question, I am looking at a 2.8 Gal on evil-bay with the water pump gone, is this easy to fix or do i have to disturb the cam belt? It is a mark 1 P reg if that makes any difference. Thanks, TMC

I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions re the brakes on my 51 plate MK2 TDi 115 SE. I have had the car for 18 months and have always felt the brakes were not brilliant. Nothing came up at MOT time but it feels to me like too much effert is required on the pedal. I have checked the brake peal by putting my foot on it and starting the engine and it drops as it should so there is assistance there but if the car is moving very slowly and I apply pressure it doesn't seem to react instantly. I am tempted to change all of the pads and discs in case there is some contamination but I thought I would see if any one had any other suggestions. Any suggestions will be greatly received. Thanks in advance for your time TMC.

Thanks for coming back, does any know when they changed from one type to another as far as the mk1's are concerned.

Hi everyone, just a quick question, does anyone know if there are more than 1 type of front wiper assembly? seen references on here for 3 bolt and 4 bolt, are they interchangeable? thanks, MC

Thanks for your answer, am I looking for the big socket for the OBD 2 to plug into or 2 smalls bits for the 2 smaller black and white ones to plug into marked +/- and KL

Hi Everyone, Please help with some silly questions, I need to reset the airbags on my 51 plate Alhambra TDi SE 115 and I have purchased the VAG-COM cable from ebay as suggested on here. My silly question is, where do I plug it in to the car? The cable is in 2 parts, the first part has the usb on one end and the large plug at the other with a seperate extention cable which ends in smaller leads. Do I need the extra bit or do I just use the first part? I have searched on here and looked at all the suggested places (under ashtray ans steering wheel) but to no avail. Please put me out of my misery!!!! MC

Hi, I have a 2001 Seat Alhambra 115 TDi SE which tows my 2007 5 berth Pageant Provence perfectly, you would be wise to follow the advice not to go over the 85% rule quoted above. There is a useful free car and caravan match tool on the caravanning 4u website you might find helpful, I know I did. Here is a link http://www.caravanning4u.co.uk/towcars.html You might also want to join the caravan club as you get access to a whole network of good sites, they also do breakdown cover which covers the caravan as well.

Further to my earlier post, I have checked the car and the head gasket has blown again so I am going to break it.

Hi, I have just bought a mk1 2.0 auto Alhambra as a second car/project (I already have mk2 1.9tdi se Alhambra as my main car) I bought it as a non runner (bloody e-bay!) however it does run but only for around 10-12 seconds before cutting out. It cuts out immediately if you open the throttle but it does restart again straight away. After looking at the post on here I am thinking of cleaning the isv for starters however I would like to see what everyone thinks first. The car did have the head gasket changed around 8 weeks ago and it has behaved perfectly since (with no loss of coolant or overheating) but has now developed this problem. Thanks in advance.