pj_andrew

I agree with you. Bad service is not acceptable. You pay your money and you should get a good, honest job. There are numerous arguements and counter arguements in favour and against dealerships but at the end of the day a lot of people still use them. I presume this must be down to keeping the warranty (which as far as I remember there isn't an absolute requirement to use a Ford dealer to keep your warranty valid), and perceived advanced tool kit and knowledge. I'd like to see independently awarded qualifications for the mechanics, not badges of honour for the garages e,g, We are Ford we must be great. For example a mechanic could be level 1,2 or 3 at dealing with a Ford Galaxy. The garage have a list of mechanics and the level of skill. A Ford dealership then may have 3 mechanics at level 3, and 1 each at level 1 and 2. Another dealership might have none at level 3 and the rest at level 2. At least you know the skill level. However, more interestingly, an independent garage might have 5 mechanics at level 3. Where are you going to go? I know where I'd go. It's the mechanics who wield the spanners and I want someone who really knows what they are doing. It's a skill, it has to be learned in the real world. It takes time.

The only advice I can give is to say that our Air Con display doesn't flash for 15 seconds when you start the car. Sounds like your diagnosis is fair. If it just means you need to do the front blower manually, then is it worth getting properly fixed?

Hey, that is a very kind offer. However, we have bookings for a week in Cornwall, a week up North, two weeks in East Anglia, another week even further up North, and a week in Wales. So I'll need to get some kit on a more permanent basis. (and then a loan for all the petrol :-)) I've fished around and there are sites that specialise in roof bars, and boxes, and cheaper than Halfords. There's quite a choice when you look around. I'll post something else when I get some more useful info and experience.

I need to get bars and a roof box sorted for a fully loaded family holiday in two weeks. (Galaxy already has rails). Anyone got any opinions/experience ? I see Halfords stock the Thule bars (

Our Galaxy already has a 3 point seatbelt for the middle row, middle seat. It comes down from the ceiling. Was this added in the 2000 revamp ? PJ

- Digital clock instead of analogue one. - Cooling in the glove box (or does it have this already? -not sure) - Luggage net included - Luggage ties included - Interior roof light in the back row of seats/boot space - Indication of cruise control status in the instrument cluster. - 2 remote key fobs and not just 1. Its a bit tight just to give 1 free when the car costs 20 grand. All luxury items really, no fundamental requests. Engine, seats, chassis etc is fine as far as I'm concerned.

I always get the feeling that wannabee mechnics go and work for Ford/VW/etc to get the free training and experience then either set up a garage with a mate or go and work at a non-franchised garage. In this way you always get a better quality mechanic at a local non-franchise dealer. The mechanic gets more of the money for themselves instead of Ford keeping the big fat fee and paying the mechanic small change. The downside is that non-franchised garages don't have the latest gizmos and knowledge from the dealer network, but hey, most problems can be dealt with by a non-franchised garage.

As an update, I took some time out last weekend to delve into the light clusters and check all the bulbs were seated correctly. I fiddled and faffed to make sure all the bulbs were secure. The up shot is that the failed buld indicator now goes off after pressing the brake pedal after starting the car. Sorted.

There is an article in the Telegraph about bad gas conversions. You have to register to the site so here is the article in full: Dangerous LPG conversions could rise (Filed: 01/03/2003) The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is concerned that the central London congestion charge might lead some drivers to employ dangerous and unapproved liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) conversions in order to avoid payment. Motorists with approved alternative fuel cars that meet the requirements set out by the Energy Saving Trust's PowerShift Register are exempt from the

When I was recently looking at Galaxys I found the following: - The electric window switch gear should be tested (all the windows including the quarter lights if they are electric). - The black trim on the inside door handles in very prone to coming off. Perhaps scraped by rings or children with hammers. - The two front storage bins can fail or be very sticky. - Check the back/front bumpers for scrapes and bumps. The parking sensor is good but some people just can't drive. - Check every button and switch, windscreen wipers, wash/wipe, radio, CD, etc etc. - Check every seat is fully working including the behind chair shelves. I've seen these not working or even snapped off. A good way to check the model version (trim level) is to look at the vanity mirrors. LX has mirror for passenger only, Zetec has 2 mirrors with covers and Ghia has 2 mirrors with covers and illumination. Bear in mind that these cars are often used by families with children, and children bash and scrape things - thats life. Good Luck.

So does the 30% grant from powershift just mean that all the fitters put up the prices by 30% ? - Is

True, true. You don't want to lose what you've already spent, and if the garage fix anything the AA find then it all sounds fine. Any faults the AA find can be used as bargaining chips to get a better deal. Good luck. PJ The Galaxy certainly is better than an estate for packing in children, childrens stuff, more childrens stuff, and oh, a tiny bit of stuff for yourself. :ph34r:

True, I haven't seen this information in the handbook either. But in this case the faulty bulb indicator stays on even after pressing the brake pedal to check the brake lights. I "think" it goes off after a minute or two due to vibration freeing a sticky "something". I have a solution which requires a cheap part from Ford and I'll see how that gets on. However, I may just leave it and put up with the gremlin - no harm done at the end of the day. PJ

See site http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk Interesting info on the reliability of lots of cars including the Galaxy. PJ

The good thing about getting a Galaxy is that there are a lot around on the 2nd hand market. If you've got doubts about a certain vehicle then walk away. If ones things not working then what about other stuff, has the car been mistreated? or badly serviced in the past? There are lots of other Galaxys around. You may have to wait if you want advanced spec like DVD etc, but apart from that I'd advise looking around. Ford dealers have access country wide if they can be bothered (!) and apart from that car supermarkets get lots e.g http://www.gtccar.co.uk/. Galaxys seem popular as hire cars and Ford Direct realease them after 6 months - 1 year. Lots around - be choosy !! It took me 3 weeks to find one exactly as I wanted. Even down to the right colour. PJ

When I start the car, the dash shows the picture which indicates a bulb is not working. I've checked them all and they are all working. The warning light goes off after about 2 minutes. Is this normal ? or any other suggestions ? PJ