chromedome

You would think that manufacturers would use what's called "Tinsel" wire. It's a mixture of fabric and copper and is often used in telephone cords. These would definately last the life of the vehicle.

There are two fused feeds to the radio. One is permanent live and one is switched live. Check both fuses, the one you checked is probably the permanent live. Sorry, don't know the fuse numbers off hand, perhaps someone else can help.

Done this the other day on mine. Remove the glove box first. In the hole left by the glove box, just to the left of centre on the bottom edge is where the switch fits, you'll probably find it dangling by it's wire. The switch has to be glued into it's mounting or it pops off again as soon as you use the glove box. I used Super Glue and left it for five minutes before reassembling. Works fine now.

I think the wife's Focus was about

I'm not too sure but I think Ford is 3 years or 60k. As I said about changing the fluid, I "personally" would change it. The wife has an auto Focus (50k) and occassionally we got slow pick up in drive. My local garage drained the gearbox, refilled with fresh fluid and now the gearbox is running really well. I think it all depends on type of useage, lots of local journeys = lots of gear changes.

Possibly low auto transmission fluid level. When fluid is cold it's level will be low until it warms and expands thus making things work again. Check for leaks and refill/replace it. Personally I would get the gearbox drained and refilled with fresh as the fluid does get "tired" with age/use.

It could be that the starter bendix gear is not fully engaging into the flywheel or the wrong bendix gear has been fitted, incorrect tooth spacing. Both would suggest that the starter motor is to blame for the noise. Before fitting the "new" one make sure the bendix gear moves freely and lubricate if necessary.

Thanks for all the kind comments. I thinks the idea with the bell is a good one but I'll probably end up in hospital again having it surgically removed! :lol: I must confess my family, especially the wife, have been a tower of strength for me. Operation went very well. I have bruises on bruises. Just need to build my strength up again and I'll be ok. Every day is a step closer to full recovey. I'll be after your advise when the Galaxy won't start in four weeks ;) Thanks again.

"I'M BACK............" Hi everybody, just to let you know all went well and I'm back at home. Not allowed to drive for about four weeks :blink: I'll check back on the forum daily and help where I can.

V6....V8.........Have you got shares in a petrol company? :lol:

Thank you all very much for the good wishes. I must admit I'm a bit nervous, however, as the saying goes "I'll be back.............." :lol:

Just a little relief from the normal posts. I've had a rattle around the nearside dashboard area for absolutely ages and tonight, by pure chance, I found it. I'm due to go into Papworth Hospital next week for by-pass surgery and I was checking around inside the car and removing stuff because I'm not going to be allowed to drive for four weeks, aghhhhhhhhhhhhh. Well I noticed that the glove box light was on continously and done some digging around. The little switch at the bottom edge of the cover had come adrift and was not operating the light. Noticed it had been glued on so re-fixed it and now light goes off. Thought no more about it until I popped out and if by magic my annoying rattle had gone, whoopie!! Probably a blessing that I found it otherwise I may have had a flat battery after four weeks. Anyway, I'll be off the forum for about 10 days but look forward to catching up. Keep up the good work everybody, this forum is priceless. :lol:

One thought, is that the lambda sensor could be getting border line.

The factory fitted Michelins have Extra Load stamped on them.

Had the Galaxy serviced today at a Ford Main Dealer and was advised that the tracking was out and both front tyres had worn badly on the inside edge, down to 1.0mm. As it was on the inside I didn't notice it. The car has Michelin Pilot MXM tyres fitted so I wanted to keep the same make. Rapid Fit, on the same site as the dealership, wanted

If you bought the car from a dealer, take it back and get them to replace the rear screen.

I've just bought an electronic gizmo. You plug it in your mp3/dvd player and it generates an FM radio signal which is then picked up by the radio. Works great and saves messing about with the radio wiring. Look here http://www.saverstore.com/productinfo/Prod...91&rstrat=1 Hope it helps

I think you may be right about the level of the ATF. The ATF expands as it gets hot. Personally, with the mileage you have , I would have the garage drain and refill with new ATF while they are under there. I've just had a drive "lag" issue with the wife's auto Focus, the ATF was drained and replaced and it now drives properly again.

Can you select gears ok without the engine running? If you can, it's probably a clutch problem. If you can't, it's probably a linkage/cable problem. Cables are used between the gear shift and gearbox, these are known to give problems.

I had the same problem on the Maverick I had......................................is it my old one??? It's probably the throttle assembly. The "butterfly" flap sticks in the throttle body. You could try cleaning and lubricating it, but in the end I needed a new assembly.

Does it continue for a few minutes after you switch the ignition off? Could be the auxilliary water pump which is just the other side of the bulk head in the engine compartment. These are known to rumble and make noises as they are failing.

This is why I mentioned the Philips builbs, they are rated at the original wattage. A direct replacement.

The bit about glare probably explains why my lights were useless in the wet.

I didn't know that and I'm not surprised. I never felt "comfortable" when I had mine fitted and I did eventually remove them. Have a look at the Philips X-Treme Power here http://www.powerbulbs.com/ They specify they are DOT legal.

Yes you can get a HID kit to fit the galaxy ok. Some manufacturers have a small enough ballast so the whole lot fits inside the headlight assembly, this makes installation easy. I had some in my other galaxy and personally I found them very good in the dry but in the wet was terrible, most of the light seemed to be reflected off the road surface. Of course, if you fit them you will need your headlights realigned. Just do a search for HID's on the internet.