Nezzo

Thanks for that - that certainly increases our options !

Hi, we had a similar problem with our gal (LHD '96 2.0 GLX) a few years ago in Germany. The ADAC (equivalent of the AA) came out and couldn't find anything wrong except a blown fuse (which happened to be for the secondary air pump which allows the cat to heat up quicker from cold start and sounds like a hoover - it had never worked since we had it and this noise was new to us !). It started straight away and worked - until the next morning. Checked the fuse expecting it to have blown but it was fine ! Got the ADAC out again, wouldn't start - he reckoned it would be the Engine Management Computer so transported it to the local Ford garage. The Ford garage thought the same, but couldn't find anything wrong ! They checked out the coil packs and said they seem fine except the rear one smelt burnt, so they replaced it and it's been fine ever since. The only other thing they said was quite common is if the scuttle water gulleys get blocked by leaves, etc. then water can get into where the Engine Management Computer is (apparently). Hope this helps - can't really suggest anything except calling / joining the AA (sorry). Good luck !

out of interest? how much? as I never feel happy about anyone elses kids using the center seat with only a lap strap! I haven't gone ahead with it yet as we're looking at possibly trading our Galaxy in for a later model, they said they can supply and fit a 3 point retractable centre seat belt to our 1996 Galaxy for

Thanks Wolfie, you're a star ! - contacted Auto-Safe and they emailed a price and told us exactly what we will need.

Just had a similar problem - turned out to be the handbrake sticking on intermittently. Got worse until it stuck on permanently ! Most noticeable thing was that the handbrake lever was really easy to lift about a couple of inches when released. The car had a lot less acceleration and after 10-15 minutes would suddenly lurch forward and return to normal ! It took increasingly longer to return to normal. When it started to smell and was still sluggish after 20 minutes my wife took it to a local tyre and brake company - it needed new brake pads and hand brake cable - but they said if it had been left much longer it would have needed new brake discs and cost a lot more!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck - hope it's not too expensive.

We're new members (with 3 littluns) from GU35, Hampshire / Surrey, just seen (too late / too far) about an impromptu meet at MK - are there local area groups that meet up ? (Couldn't see from the forums)

Regarding #4 - our children hold onto their strapped-in child seats (not unsupported booster/back seats) and pull themselves up. They love jumping down from it ! They do have a problem with banging their heads trying to jump out of our Mondeo though :-) PS, can anyone tell me what IIRC means ?? Seen it written lots, but can't work it out (I am only a newbie !)

We're currently looking at either converting our '96 Galaxy middle seat to a 3-point belt or getting a newer Galaxy with all 3-point belts and a rear load cover and it seams that although the 3-point belts became available on the middle seat in the 2nd shape Galaxy they were both optional extras and we're having difficulty finding one with both ! We have been to various dealers - some seem to think that it's no problem, while others think that it's like finding the proverbial needle and nobody has given us a definitive answer - even the Ford dealers. We've searched this site for details of converting it but there don't seem to be any recent entries - has anyone managed it yet ??

Thanks for the info Wolfie, Unfortunately I've already taken the quick and dirty way and got it out from the front. I've now got a very sad-looking bit of plastic with a spring inside it. I was hoping to repair it but it looks a bit beyond that so now I'm wondering if I'll have to get one new from Ford or if there's anywhere that would stock them 2nd hand ??

I've just had the right-hand horn switch fall apart - the base pulled out with 4 small screwdivers, lots of swearing and jiggling. I've snipped the wire off and looking at it the unit seems impossible to repair (and impossible to remove from a second-hand streering-wheel without breaking it). I assume you have to order them through a Ford main dealer or are there 2nd hand ones available ?