Newbie

[jbrdly]

Hi all, Just bought a 1998 R Galaxy, 2.3 Manual Ghia X Petrol, with 137600 or so miles on the clock, but almost full service history, last service stamp for 121000 miles. Got some little niggles with it so thought I'd join the forum to see if I can glean any info on repairing the old Gal. So far have found some good info but struggling to see pics as not enough posts. (So this adds 1 to the count). Really happy with the car so far, nice and comfortable, spacious and good all round visibility. Kids LOVE it. Got to drive 180 miles to Blackpool on Thursday, so hoping to sort out the niggles before then.

[jbrdly]

Just a quick really stupid newbie question.

I have seen mention of different MK's of Galaxy. Heres the stupid question bit. How do I tell what MK my old Gal is?

Don't laugh. As I said I am new to the world of Galaxies, so please be gentle with me, and really sorry if this question has been asked a billion times before.

[mumof4]

WElcome....me thinks your Gal is a wee bit overdue a service :o

 

You have a MKI galaxy..pre facelift model...easiest way to tell is look at thr fromt frill..just a ford badge..=MKII....Ford badge with bar either side=MKI.

 

Facelift was from late 2000 i believe.

[jbrdly]

Yes I agree, service is overdue. Reading the manual, page 7, it says that the trip meter displays the service due and the interval. The display is showing IN02 but the trip meter still shows the current total miles. Does this mean the service is due NOW?

[mumof4]

should be every year or 10k miles whichever is soonest.

[jbrdly]

Having issues with the engine coolant temperature guage on the dash giving no reading at all. Will this be covered in a service (140000 miles) or would it be better (cheaper) to do myself before service?

[mumof4]

I very much doubt it would be included in a service..But i serviced my own gal in the year before she went..so i honestly dont know.

[jbrdly]

Thanks. I'm assuming that its a problem with the water temperature sensor,any posts you know of with pics that will pertain to my Gal for changing the sensor or can you suggest any good books to purchase? I found the post for the mk2 water sensor on the 1.9Tdi, by foxyfowler,but not sure if this would be any good for the 2.3 petrol. Up until 5am this morning reading through the forum but little joy in finding specific info. BTW Sorry if this thread is going on a bit.

[mumof4]

No worries..im the wrong person to ask to be honest..

[seatkid]

IN01 = Oil Service Required - Creditcard sufficient

IN02 = Major Service Required - Bank approval recommended

IN03 = (Sharp Intake of Breath)Extremely Major Service required, maybe more - Cash in Life Insurance NOW!

IN04 = Don't ask, you can't afford it....

:o

[mumof4]

:o Gawd..you do have a certain way of explaining things SK!!

[jbrdly]

:o Hehehehehe!!! Made me Laugh :D , That is until reality set in :o

[mumof4]

Ahhh..that happens alot.

Shop around for the best deal...and avoid Fords like the plague..unless you want it back with summit broken.

[jbrdly]

Are Ford main dealers really that bad? I only ask as local main dealer Allen Ford, Kettering, is offering a Ford Value Service for

[mumof4]

The service may only be a normal one...sounds like you need a major service i think.

 

I guess its the same all over, you get some good uns and some bad uns.A lot of us, myself included have had probs with fords diagnoseing/fixing problems.

 

It doesnt matter what any of us think or recommend as to where you go/dont go for your service..as at the end of the day the car is yours and the decision is yours..If you think its a good deal and want to go there for your service then go for it....but make sure you know exactly what they service when they do.

 

we do have a section where peeps can recommend places that have given good service..or ones to avoid like the plague...but ultimately the decision is yours as to where you go.

[insider]

Thanks. I'm assuming that its a problem with the water temperature sensor,any posts you know of with pics that will pertain to my Gal for changing the sensor or can you suggest any good books to purchase? I found the post for the mk2 water sensor on the 1.9Tdi, by foxyfowler,but not sure if this would be any good for the 2.3 petrol. Up until 5am this morning reading through the forum but little joy in finding specific info. BTW Sorry if this thread is going on a bit.

The sensor should be at the rear of the engine on the passenger side. There should be a white/red wire coming from it that changes to yellow/red at a connector (pin 19) returning to the instrument panel.

If you disconnect the connector to the sensor and touch it to a suitable ground point (engine block) to check that the gauge needle moves (ignition would need to be on). This would confirm that the sensor is at fault, otherwise there could be a fault in the wiring back to the instrument cluster or in the gauge itself.

[Smilge]

Welcome from me too ............ glad to hear the kids love the car ..... sounds like the temp sensor is U/S on yours, and reading "nowt", looks like an open circuit somewhere and if you follow Insider's instructions, I'm sure you'll sort the problem out. Look forward to further posts from you matey.

 

Regards

 

Chris

[jbrdly]

Good Morning all. Thanks for all the great advice on servicing and the helpful info on the temp sensor, very much appreciated.

Loving the forum and finding out some really excellent info. I am now going to go and locate the sensor and try and sort it out.

Thanks all and thank you for the warm welcome ;)

 

Addendum, cant check the sensor at the mo as the wife has just taken the car. Thats one thing I've noticed since buying this car. Where as before I would be asked to 'Just nip to the shops for me will you' or here, there and everywhere, I now find she wants to go herself :D :D

[Smilge]

Funny ol thing that ........ bet it was her idea to buy it as well .....hee hee

[jbrdly]

Anybody got any piccies of the temp sensor on the 2.3 petrol engine? cant quite seem to locate it.

[insider]

Sorry, no photo but this might be of use (no.2 is the sensor you want, no.1 is the ECT sensor - engine temp. signal to ECU):

 

[jbrdly]

Much appreciated Insider. Thanks for the quick response. This has helped 100%. :(

[jbrdly]

Update: Just fitted new temp sensor and now getting a reading on the temp gauge. :D Also spliced the cables on the rear passenger door in the door gator and got the leccy window working :( :( . Only problem now is the occasional whine from the engine when starting? :o Sticky starter motor maybe? Could this have anything to do with the water that was expelled when replacing the sensor??