JToh

:ph34r: Blatters Not being clued-up, I take it that the white smoke problem on your galaxy was fixed by the dealer fitting a revised glow plug? My local dealer in South London dismissed this problem as being normal but as I said, the white smoke churns out for some time and worse, lots of it getting into the cabin. Can I have your dealer's details (name and tel no) and get my dealer to have a word and get some advice? Sounds crazy but it seems to be the only way! Thanks very much!

Sorry to dwell on this topic of white smoke and unburnt fuel etc.. My galaxy has started to churn out rather excessive white smoke last couple of mornings with the smell going into the cabin - not good for my two young daughters. I had to wound down the windows and let the smell (like parafin) out of the cabin. Question is whether this is normal (iot seems like it based on previous postings) or due to poor fuel-air mix or vapour entering the system or other faults? This is sporadic and doesn't happen every morning, despite low temperature. Last time I had a "Alternator Workshop" and thanks to John80 who pointed out that it was the fanbelt, my local dealer re-routed and the problem has now been rectified. So I am hoping a member can point me in the right direction once again! This must have been covered elsewhere and owners must have this "white smoke" problem but for me, it is getting ridiculous the amount coming out and into the cabin! Thanks alot!

:( The new module arrived a couple of weeks ago and just took my car in yesterday for it to be fitted to see whether we could eliminate the "Alternator Workshop" beeping problem on cold starts. I have had this problem since I had the Galaxy from new. Guess what! It's nothing to do with the module! There has been a recall on certain galaxy models where the fanbelt must be "re-routed" (not sure what this means) yet there was no letter from my supplying dealer or from Ford. So the usual farce by Ford!! This is info for those who may have this problem and not aware of the recall! Not sure whether this re-routing of the fanbelt will cure the problem permanently. Bristol Street Birmingham (supplying dealer) has told my local dealer (Browne's of London) that so far, none of the galaxys they modified have been back to their workshop. Fingers crossed then!

:blink: Cheers John I'll point this out to the mechanic when the new module arrives.....sounds like it may not need the replacement if it is the fambelt! Thanks for the advice!

:blink: Had the galaxy from new since 2003 and been having problems with the "Alternator Workshop" warning light which often comes on during morning starts (ie, cold starts), flashing and beeping together with the battery warning a few times and then disappearing after a mile or so driving. No problem after restarting the car for the rest of the day. Been to local dealer in South London a number of times and they found nothing amiss. The problem stopped for a while when I took it to another dealer who changed the code and all seemed well until this week when the sodding thing returned. Took the car in again and the dealer said he has ordered a new module to be fitted in a week and it is the electrics rather than anything wrong with the connections, alternator etc... I know that there was a thread on this some while ago but anybody gone through this problem and how was is resolved? Cheers!

:angry: Thanks for the informative reply Masked Marauder! Now I know I'll see what the dealer has to say!

:angry: Collected the car from its second annual service from Browne's (dealer in South London) at a cost of

I wouldn't bother messing around with it. My packed in after I did exactly what you did and got it replaced under warranty without question asked. Apparently once the erractic spindle is jammed, that's the end of it!!

Wouldn't be Dees of Wimbledon or Croydon by any chance? I got similar treatment before I bought mine through DrivetheDeal.Com sourced from Bristol Street Birmingham. No models in the showroom, no test drive offered and total lack of interest. After all, I was just another customer!!!!

:D Just had my jammed spare wheel steel cable box completely replaced after waiting a couple of weeks for the part. Good job it was done under warranty! The mechanic suggested this was a rare problem but admitted the design was "bloody stupid". :rolleyes: Still no joy with the "Alternator Workshop" warning light. Been checked out a couple of times by the dealer but found nothing amiss. Was even invited to see the diagnostic test! The warning light/bleep reappeared again 4 times this morning (cold start?), only to disappear completely once the engine has slightly warmed up! I read elesewhere other owners have had similar experience with this! Anybody would enlighten me as to what the underlying problem is and the solution? Cheers!

Thanks Richmond for the tip, I'll give it a turn both directions to see whether the steel cable could be lowered enough to take back the spare. The "attention to detail" on storage of the spare simply amazes me. Imagine with a full load and you had to change a wheel. With the steel cable playing up and refusing to take back the punctured tyre, you probably end it with somebody carrying it on his/her lap! This of course assumes that the spare wheel had been successfully lowered in the first place!! Anyone out there who has had the whole box (holding the steel cable for the spare wheel) replaced because of this grief??

In need of some advice. I own a 2003 1.9TDi Galaxy Zetec Auto and had to change the wheel this weekend owing to a small puncture (now repaired). Problem is that I cannot release the steel cable retainer at the back sufficiently to take back the spare wheel. All I heard is a "click" noise as I struggled with turning the ring (hidden under the carpet in the luggage compartment) and the steel cable is only partially lowered (despite pulling with force), not enough to accept the spare wheel back. I know it aims to be space-saving but it seems a cheap and ridiculously stupid way to hold the spare wheel underneath the car. I have now taken the steel cable up without the spare in place so I can drive the bloody thing. Has anybody got any ideas as I am driving with the spare now in the luggage compartment before I take it to my local dealer, which on last couple of dealings provided a crap service???

Thanks for the tip SEATKid! I'll go it a try this weekend! Any tips out here on the "Alternator Workshop" flashing every now and then and step-by-step cure guide? Ford dealer dismissed the problem, saying nothing was wrong.

Interested to hear about the "Alternator Workshop" warning light flashing up. My has done it a few times recently, but very briefly and then dsiappears. Took the car to Ford dealer but they found nothing wrong. Being a novice can someone kindly advise how do I go about checking/rectify this problem? Interested to hear Ian's experience, what exactly you did that cured the problem? Also noticed a disproportionate amount of wind noise at high speed from the driver's door mirror area), the Dealer tells me that many Galaxy owners have complained but essentially this is "design fault". I remain unconvinced! Any similar experiences?

Thanks for all the advice! Still concern as the "white smoke" is very noticeable both stationary and on the move until the engine is fully warmed up. Read several comments from other members that this requires a trip to the dealer and possibly fitting of a new part. Don't want to waste time if this is normal although I must say very unusual characteristic!! Would welcome more info on this!

Adding to the debate, got a June 2003 TDi Auto which, for the past few weeks, have been churning out white smoke from a separate pipe underneath the near-side middle seat such that I have had cyclists and pedestrians coming to my car window and complaining. Bit like having barbecue smoke. RAC bloke reckons that this is perfectly normal especially if the car has been left outside for a while and condensation (?) has built up. I explained that this does not happen during the summer. White smoke disappears after engine has warmed up! Thinking of taking it into the dealer to have it checked out. Living in South London, I am getting strange looks from people whenever I am on the road and the car hasn't warmed up. Can anybody help or suggest a remedy?? Cheers