El Dingo

Sorry, but I'm typing slowly, as my left hand is all bandaged <_< ....in some VAG engines the sensor is a potentiometer with a set of contacts at one end of the travel. Which engine code is yours, and I can check? If yours is like the others I have seen, the outputs are closed/open and variable resistance according to throttle position. My experience of these is.... 1. Worn out track/pick-up, so variable output signal goes open circuit. 2. Broken or shorted contacts. 3. Water ingress (due to power washing the engine bay). I've never opened one up.

Did you have the wheels off? You might have a siezed brake caliper, where the pad on the piston side (inner) does all the work and wears out, while the outer pad looks fine. This results in a whirring sound. A worn wheel bearing would grumble more than whirr???

Mine just squeal under light braking. I must admit that it irritates me mildly, but not enough to get out and take the wheels off in this cold weather (and anyway, the wife drives it mostly - it's her car...). When we bought it in August, the dealer fitted new front discs and pads, and I assumed that the squeal would disappear when they bedded in. :huh:

To be honest, the autobox specialist should have found the problem, but maybe not if this is engine management related? I would look at the control module for the gearbox, engine management, or connected inputs. I tend to drive autos on a light right foot, but I don't get 'rough' changes. What do you mean by rough? E.G. Jerky? :angry:

Yep, the front air distribution flap motor is open circuit or shorted. :(

B)

Where are you? Mid West? BTW lovely blue skies here near London. Tried my heated screen for the first time yesterday morning - both sides clear at the same rate, but there is a strip about 1cm wide down the middle... :o

Thanks - I'm going to give it a try. Off to search the internet for a MP3 player.

Has anyone upgraded the head unit but not the speakers? Obviously this is a cheap way of getting better sound without fiddling around in the doors and trim. I've done this in an Audi (changed the tinny dealer fit Sony for a Kenwood) and in a Seat (changed the truly awful Aura for a Alpine MP3 player and took out the standard 6CD changer). In both cases the sound was seriously improved (perhaps not audiophile) without changing the speakers. But are the speaker units up to the job? (edit - current fit is Ford 5000 with CD changer) (Originally posted in 'tech' - sorry)

Sorry, I should have posted in ICE...

Has anyone upgraded the head unit but not the speakers? Obviously this is a cheap way of getting better sound without fiddling around in the doors and trim. I've done this in an Audi (changed the tinny dealer fit Sony for a Kenwood) and in a Seat (changed the truly awful Aura for a Alpine MP3 player and took out the standard 6CD changer). In both cases the sound was seriously improved (perhaps not audiophile) without changing the speakers. But are the speaker units up to the job? :rolleyes: (edit - current fit is Ford 5000 with CD changer)

The fastest way to find out what's wrong will be to plug it into a diagnostics system. Is the engine actually turning? If so, it could be an intermittent hall sender - the hall sender gives engine position to the engine management system, and without this signal the engine won't run. (In VAG engines this is usually located in the distributor - I'm not familiar with the 2.3 engine yet, so it might be in the distributor or it might be located near the crankshaft???)

I would take another look at the oil feed pipes... the attached might be useful, to see what connects where...

Nice one Oggy! :angry:

Oggy, Sorry, I'm teasing. :angry: If you do get a fault code list, I'd be very grateful! Cheers,

The problem is lack of refining capacity for diesel, due to rapidly increasing demand. (Oh poo! I've just re-read and edited - I meant price not duty.)

Hi Oggy, Like MM says (sorry, it takes too long to type in 'Masked Marauder'), the interface is the cable between PC and car. The label that Ross Tech refers to is on the plug that goes into the socket in the car. If this came from Cister UK (or God knows who from ebay) it won't have a label, so you should assume it's a 'dumb' interface - download software from 'achives' here... http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/ You don't have a full list of fault codes by any chance do you? :angry:

I have a state-of-the-art A4 2.0 TDi, and Andrew T is very nearly spot on (apart from turbo lag - there isn't any). My wife's old car (before the Galaxy) was a 2.6 A4 petrol. This is 150 bhp and 162 lbsft torque. The A4 2.0 TDi is 138 bhp and 236 lbsft. Both hit 60 mph in around 9.5 seconds. In day-to-day around town driving the diesel is quicker - on the open road the petrol V6 was much, much faster, and a much better bet for overtaking. And a lot more fun. MPG figures (and I'm not cheating; I keep accurate records - both cars high milage business use): A4 2.6 petrol manual - average 29.59 A4 2.0 diesel - average 41.74 For my money I'll take the petrol (and yes, I must be crazy!). Why is it that diesel costs so much more here than petrol - higher duty? In Germany and Switzerland over the last few weeks - Diesel is cheaper than 95 octane petrol. I expect duty on diesel to increase faster than petrol over the next two years. :ph34r:

Like the Masked Maurauder asked, did you sort it? What was the problem?

Cool, have fun! (I wuz just teasing - it's the Vampire that has 'fixed power variable noise lever') :ph34r:

Ah ha! Jet Provost has no throttle! Just a 'fixed power variable noise lever' (ask anyone who has flown one). (A bit like a Diesel really...) :ph34r:

Really interesting stuff Andrew T. For a saloon car and high milage I worked it out in favour of diesel, so I bought one - and now regret it, especially with regard to driving enjoyment, and the economy certainly isn't as good as promised. So when we needed a MPV I bought a (petrol) Galaxy. I love the Galaxy... I have to fight my wife to get the keys off her at the weekend...

Coil packs not on 2.3... Ooops! Well known VAG 1.6/1.8/1.8 issue. Anyway, this has gone on too far - I apologise for winding up the diesel enthusiasts here - I just hate diesels, and I wish I'd got the 1.8T A4 instead of the TDi. You are right johnb80, in everyday use the diesel will be quicker. I still don't want one though.

It happens on Audis too, if that's any comfort. Many of the MPV specialists seem to keep stocks of these for Galaxy/Alhambra/Sharan - maybe they are made by an OEM, so you could try German and Swedish? Part no.s for Sharan are 7M3 or 7M4 867 171 and 172 (depends n/s, o/s, front, rear, how many switch holes). There are three versions on the Sharan - light beige, flannel grey and anthractite - maybe anthracite is unpainted??? I don't have SEAT part numbers. Try these numbers at G&S and let me know how you get on. Looks easy enough to change. I guess painting would be good if you can get all the old coating off first...

johnb80 - what nonsense! The 2.3 will actually out-accelerate the diesel thanks to the fact that it revs. I often hear the 'massive waves of torque' argument put forward to justify buying a car with an old technology rattly, smelly, lorry engine. Look at the latest petrol developments (like a 1.4 that puts out 170bhp in the Golf GT). Diesels are just no fun. Like I said, I would have preferred a 2.8. And yes, I saved thousands over a diesel model. And like I also said, it's not sensible, but that's the way I like it (ah ha, ah ha). And I don't care about the maths either - I just like the Galaxy and I like the 2.3 engine. The 2.8 is very thirsty in auto version (and we wanted auto). When you snap your cam belt your maths won't add up anymore. :lol: (sorry, I'll stop now... ;) )