seatkid

I agree with Taliska, the design is fiddly and dangerous to operate while driving. I also have several complaints about the climate control (apart from the a/c packing in again and again! :lol: :lol: ) The fan speed control is useless, if it decides to blow hard you end up with two settings on or off. Can't set the rear cooler than the front :P Can't have cool air to vents and warm air to feet. :( Can't regulate the volume to top/vent/floor individually. :( Sun load sensor doesnt seem to do its job very well. :( Also in spring and autumn, when the outside temp is middling. My c/c seems to develop an annoying habit of ramping up to full fan speed and staying there for at least 15 minutes, :rolleyes: :P no way to reset this except turn off ignition. Dealer couldnt find a problem (isn't that surprising?) :lol:

The passenger door dropped slightly on my 96 Alhambra, when I took it to the dealer the body shop manager explained that there is no adjustment on the doors as the hinges are welded and the the only adjustment is by physically pulling the door up (or down). He then demonstrated the technique, two hands under the bottom door corner and give a good heave and voila, door adjusted - no charge! :lol:

look here and here and try a search on "tyres" :lol:

If you look at http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/Forum/index.php?showtopic=1521 you will see that considerably lower prices are acheivable. There is some confusion as to whether a 215 tyre needs to be reinforced. According to my user manual and my original tyres it doesn't. Check your manual to make sure.

see http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/Forum/index.p...39&hl=tailgate#

:huh: Now I am confused!! I think we could do with a manufacturers statement on this one - any volunteers to write to Ford/VW/Seat? :)

When buying any second hand vehicle you should check the vehicle history to see if safety recalls have been actioned. My dealer recorded them in the service book as well. Safety recalls are by law done free of charge. The following is the list of SEAT ALHAMBRA recalls taken from www.theaa.com VW and FORD have different safety recalls - please check yours Recall: 1 of 3 Recall Ref: R1998/107 Exact Model: With 81Kw Tdi engine) Description: POTENTIAL FAILURE OF BATTERY CHARGING CIRCUIT VIN: VSS***7M*VV507571 TO 511061, VSS***7M*WV040234 TO 050056 Build Date: August 1996 to February 1998 Numbers: 113 Defect: The power supply of the vehicle can be disrupted without warning (the alternator warning light does not illuminate) due to a break in the wiring loom at the alternator connector. Action: Recall affected vehicles and fit new wiring loom. Launch Date: 15 January 1999 Recall: 2 of 3 Recall Ref: R1999/097 Exact Model: Description: POSSIBLE WATER INGRESS INTO THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR VIN: VSSZZZ7MZTV000001 TO VSSZZZ7MZYV509825 Build Date: March 1996 to September 1999 Numbers: 9100 Defect: Subject vehicles have been fitted with a brake reservoir cap that may allow water to seep into the brake fluid over a long period of time. This could ultimately reduce the effectiveness of the brakes. Action: Recall affected vehicles to fit a replacement, redesigned reservoir cap, and renew the brake fluid. In addition, as a precautionary measure on certain older vehicles, the brake master cylinder will also be renewed. Launch Date: 31 January 2000 Recall: 3 of 3 Recall Ref: R1996/112 Exact Model: Description: BRAKE SERVO FAULT VIN: WVW...7M.TV500116 TO WVW...7M.VV504757 Build Date: Numbers: 463 Defect: The brake servo may not release fully, allowing the brake pads to remain in contact with the brake discs. This may result in overheating and loss of braking efficiency. Action: The remedy involves the fitment of an additional pull off spring to the brake servo. Launch Date: 30 January 1997

The VW/SEAT mirrors are different design to the FORD on models starting 98. The FORD mirrors look the same as the original universal design.

215 section tyres do not need to be reinforced to meet the manufacturers spec - only the narrower tyres do (according to the SEAT 97 manual) Check your manual - see later posts....

A friend of mine bought a Jag XJ and specified those large rims with silly ultra low profile tyres. He's regretted it ever since, it turns the ride into land rover quality and those alloys scrape every kerb - ouch! :rolleyes: Suspected as much - digital don't always mean better.

Didnt realise the mirrors were substantial enough to damage a Land Rover :rolleyes: :( Phone around, any garage should be able to do this job, steering and suspension is not affected. Out of interest what did it fail on? Split boot? Inner or outer? Boots can be replaced and I don't think inner CV joints are MOT failures..

Yep, you're right folks, I stand corrected :( - you need to replace the missing module under the passenger seat to restore your central locking and alarm and interior light functions. You don't need a remote key to operate the central locking/alarm.... :( Wanny must have the infra red version, I've checked mine - the alarm module appears to be under the passenger seat but my remote is definitely the radio type. Confused? I am (most of the time) :rolleyes:

Time to get the lawyers in the forum on this case... I wonder if there are any adjustments in the gear linkages (cables). Maybe SA intruder can advise...

Probably, unless they're damp and dirty in which case clean them before you condemn them. Don't confuse this effect with holding a lead while its off the plug, the voltages in this case rise much higher and your body is the least resistance path. It doesnt take many volts across your body to give you a nasty jolt. In tedboys case, don't think that insulation breakdown is the problem as it would run rough or miss once he started and restarting would also be problematic. I think the problem is more likely a break in the inner conductor or in the plug cap. If it were me I would lash up some temporary replacements using some well insulated wire to test it out before lashing out on an expensive new set of leads. Many a time I've seen people jump to all sorts of exotic conclusions (inc myself I'm ashamed to say) when its just been a faulty plug lead or rotor arm/distributor. Recently a collegue of mine had a problem (Corsa) which main dealer diagnosed as fuel management computer and an independent garage diagnosed as sticking valves and a new cylinder head required for what turned out to be just a rotor arm (tracking). KISS is the keyword. :rolleyes:

Correct me if I'm wrong but reading this thread, I get the impression we're talking about another car than the Shalalaxy! According to my knowledge - the central/remote locking/alarm and all timed functions are controlled by a multfunction module called GEM situated in the fuse box (containing the level 3 fuses). The remote locking is wireless operated (the infra red references in the manual are a total red herring!) and the radio receiver is in the GEM. I've no reason either to believe theres any external antenna associated with the receiver either, even though theres a reference to a mirror connection - after all the mirror is stuck to the glass out on its own. The factory fitted alarm has its ultrasonic movement sensors in the B door pillars - its obvious from the shape at the top of the pillars and the grille holes you can see there facing front and rear.

Do the simple things first.... Start with eliminating the ignition system for faults. You've changed the spark plugs and it runs ok when its started so the coil pack sounds ok. (I assume theres no distributor?) Try the HT leads - if they're shot you get a weak spark. Possibly not enough to start a cold engine which will "flood" after several seconds cranking (requiring even stronger spark) Why can you bump start? The fuel system injects much less than when you do a normal key start and you get maximum spark voltage. Leads/suppressors fail in 2 ways- 1. They go (very) high resistance/open circuit - symptom? poor starting first... 2. The insulation fails and track - symptom ? starting problems accompanied by rough running and missing. Check the resistance of the HT leads and replace if necessary. Can another forum member advise the correct resistance value please - I guess about 2k ohms if the suppressor is on the lead - or are they fitted with suppressor plugs?

I think you mean the cover around the coolant expansion bottle. Early model covers here were more substantial than on later models, so you need to unclip these before attempting to remove the bulkhead extension. Later models they just tend to fall off. With the bulkhead extension out, you have clear access to the drains (in the far corners) and no excuse for clearing out any debris or even carefully flushing through with a hose. We all know it could save a lot of grief later on. By the way did you spot where the heater hoses were? (next to the pollen filter) - no wonder without a/c you always get warm air blowing through the vents particularly when its been stood a bit.

Thanks for pointing out this "problem", MrT - if it had knacked the airbag controller I would have thought VW/Ford would be liable under EU law.

Not bad for a 3 cylinder engine!! <_< :lol: Well it only goes to reinforce that 80% of running problems on petrol engines are down to simple electrical ignition faults. I trust you will report the ford dealer who wrote your engine off to Fords customer service (do it in writing) - the more people who complain about the scandalous service quality at a dealer, the sooner something might be done about it. I wonder how many other car owners have been taken in by this dealer?

Much as I share your enthusiam for a cheap deal, your unreinforced 205/60x15 do not meet the manufacturers minimum spec. Your insurance company will take a dim view of this and most likely void your cover.

No. You need a VW505.01 spec oil, see http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/Forum/index.php?showtopic=1398 for further discussion.

I suspect you have the "additional foam filters (passenger and drivers side)" modification too. (Ford TIS No.160/1997) I can't tell too well from the Ford TIS but it appears to consist of bits of foam laid down on the bulkhead at both sides/ends in such a way as might restrict your access(vertically). These should be removeable...

Or drums... Any one fancy a starsky and hutch edition galaxy?

I think Dave G's post http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/Forum/index.p...findpost&p=8760 is a red herring. No mention on Ford TIS on this obscure possibility. To blow a bulb you need (Far) too many volts leading to short life or Mechanical shock As your problem is n/s only look at the mechanical shock theory. Also check the replacement bulbs are of the correct rating.