Ask a Shiter

[scdan4]

My 57 reg Volvo has that set up.

I switch it to the middle (sidelights only) position whenever I drive it in daylight.

Same on my s reg v70.

Sidelights is the only setting that stays on when you get out and wander office,so I don't use that.

[adw1977]

Same on my s reg v70.

Sidelights is the only setting that stays on when you get out and wander office,so I don't use that.

That is true, but I haven't forgotten yet!

[Pillock]

That won't happen. DRLs are for people too stupid to turn their lights on in poor visibility.

They're not about poor visibility, that's what headlights are for and why the rear lights come on with them.

 

In broad daylight, certain groups of people (small children, people with poor eyesight etc) might spot a car with DRLs on where they otherwise might not, but rear lights aren't needed on that instance.

 

I really don't understand the hatred of making a car more visible, and I wonder if you modify a car's settings to remove the facility and someone drives into you, they could argue that you'd not helped yourself.

[Guest Hooli]

Lights don't make a car more visible though, not unless the conditions are dull or dark enough to be able to argue that dipped headlights should be on.

[Jazoli]

I think drl's are great, even in the middle of a sunny summers day cars can be driving down the tree lined roads on my way to work where dipped beam is necessary as cars just blend into the scenery, and it makes them visible a lot sooner, its a positive safety benefit, as a lot of people don't realise its hard to see cars in certain light conditions at not just at night, there's quite a few luddites on here who think progress is a bad thing, I'm not one of them

[Guest Hooli]

 as a lot of people don't realise its hard to see cars in certain light conditions at not just at night,

 

Then they shouldn't be driving, but that'd involve a driving test that only allowed people able to think to drive & the economy would be on the rocks.

[Pillock]

In a world where every car is grey or silver, DRLs make cars more visible. If that stops a handful of people getting run over, great news.

[Pillock]

Put it another way. I got hit by a car when I was 11, I was on my bike and ride across a road and although I remember looking, the next thing I knew I was lying in the road and a Mk3 Escort was parked up just behind my bike.

 

A glance over my shoulder wasn't enough. Yes it was my fault (which is why I got back on my bike and legged it before anyone started yelling at me) but I could have been killed. A more visible car might have helped.

 

That sort of situation isn't unusual.

[HH-R]

I fucking hate DRLs, I Drive with the interior mirror dimmed day and night now and they are still massively distracting and eye piercing. Some are worse than others. They all look like Poundland xmas lights too.

[cobblers]

If DRLs in any way irritate or dazzle you then I suggest you never ever drive in the actual dark.

[HH-R]

The LED ones are eye burning. Look away and there's blind spots. I do avoid driving at night.

[HH-R]

Also you get thickos driving round with nothing other than DRLs when it's dark.

[Guest Hooli]

Also you get thickos driving round with nothing other than DRLs when it's dark.

 

Or the pouring rain, mixed with the thickos who think a bit of rain means use your rear fogs.

 

Both types need shooting in the head & leaving to rot on the verge

[Rod/b]

You should live where I do. There's a significant proportion of drivers (mostly with mustaches) who think the done thing in rain is to drive around without using such fripperies as wipers or headlights, but to switch your hazard lights on and drive around at 30kmh in lane 3 (of 5) in case your car simply falls off the perfectly straight fucking motorway.

[Guest Hooli]

Sounds wonderful, where is it? so I can remember not to visit.

[bub2006]

Ford mondeo air con question. Air con has stopped working in the mondeo after working fine then nothing. Ive checked relays and fuses all fine,green light lights on dashboard too but the compressor clutch wont engage. Ive had the pressure checked,its full of gas and within all tolerances,new condensor fitted not long back too. Ive even disconnected the twmp gauge sender to check the fan is working as ive known them to shut the ac off and its fine too. Ive read that the clutch can be removed and shims taken out or added but im hoping you guys may be able to help.

[DodgeRover]

Add a live feed to the clutch and see if it's working

[MorrisItalSLX]

G'day,

I have been having some troubles with the headlights on the Jag.

When you turn on the high beams, occasional all the lights will cut out. Other times the high beams will turn on and all the lights will cut out out after a few minutes and with a flick of the high beam switch the low beams come on again, but no high beams. The indicator stalk is very loose and floppy.

Anyone have any ideas of what could be at fault?

Cheers.

[scdan4]

What is this bit that I've destroyed called? Is it a bottom ball joint? Clutch. Change going well so far...

[scdan4]

And the other side is properly stuck. Any tips anyone?

 

 

 

Eta. Hit it harder. It's off. Fucked, but off

[bub2006]

Add a live feed to the clutch and see if it's working

Ill give it a whirl. Can only see one connector there too.

[Guest Hooli]

G'day,

I have been having some troubles with the headlights on the Jag.

When you turn on the high beams, occasional all the lights will cut out. Other times the high beams will turn on and all the lights will cut out out after a few minutes and with a flick of the high beam switch the low beams come on again, but no high beams. The indicator stalk is very loose and floppy.

Anyone have any ideas of what could be at fault?

Cheers.

 

I'd guess at a knackered stalk then. If it's flopping about too much then the switch contacts in the end might be missing each other.

[DSdriver]

Lights don't make a car more visible though, not unless the conditions are dull or dark enough to be able to argue that dipped headlights should be on.

Someone ran in to one of my Volvos once a long time ago in plain daylight. They told me "Sorry, I didn't see you". My reply was that my car was about fifteen feet long, six feet wide and weighed over a ton, it also has a light in each corner. What do you mean you didn't see it?

[bunglebus]

What is this bit that I've destroyed called? Is it a bottom ball joint? Clutch. Change going well so far...

 

Yes, bottom ball joint. They can be a swine, there are various methods to remove them using proper tools, sometime heat helps, and sometimes CAREFULLY tapping a big screwdriver in the slot in the hub (probably at the back) to widen it slightly can help. Also pressure downwards on the suspension arm while hitting the hub (again, carefully) can release their evil hold. If you can get a lever above the thread to push down on it, or better yet access with a hammer (maybe using an extension bar on it) you may also get it to move. Unscrew the nut until it's level with the top of the thread before trying either of those methods though.

[twosmoke300]

Hate to say it but you will need a ( inexpensive) tool to change that ball joint .

The best way to separate a taper ball joint is to loosen the nut so it's finger tight but leave it on the threads to protect it , then belt the knuckle at 90 degrees to the ball joint . What you are trying to do is momentarily deform the tapered seat so it releases the joint . I assume from the damage to the threads you were hitting it on its end ? That's never going to end well .

 

The fork type splitters are a waste of time too as they always fuck the boot which is an mot failure anyway .

[FakeConcern]

My daughter's Pug 207 looses coolant fairly slowly. Nearly every time the she comes to my house, I check the oil, water, tyres etc and the coolant is usually low in the header tank. I can never see any dripping liquid when the car is hot or cold and neither has she. The bottom of the header tank feels dry. The car is petrol and the oil level does not go up or look gungy.

How can I find out where it's going?

Should I chuck in some Radweld?

[Guest Hooli]

Someone ran in to one of my Volvos once a long time ago in plain daylight. They told me "Sorry, I didn't see you". My reply was that my car was about fifteen feet long, six feet wide and weighed over a ton, it also has a light in each corner. What do you mean you didn't see it?

 

I once had someone drive into the back of a BRIGHT orange Discovery that also had a 2" lift, roof lights & lots of other stuff, that was also in bright daylight. I asked them if they hadn't see it as well.

 

It made me laugh tbh, a bit of mud fell off my towbar but they needed a bonnet, grill, wings, lights, bumper, radiator & engine judging by the way they drove off with steam pissing out. I reported it to the plod as failure to stop, so hopefully it cost them even more.

[RayMK]

My daughter's Pug 207 looses coolant fairly slowly. Nearly every time the she comes to my house, I check the oil, water, tyres etc and the coolant is usually low in the header tank. I can never see any dripping liquid when the car is hot or cold and neither has she. The bottom of the header tank feels dry. The car is petrol and the oil level does not go up or look gungy.

How can I find out where it's going?

Should I chuck in some Radweld?

 

Check the hoses to see if any are 'sweating.'  If so, Radweld will seal them for a while but sweating hoses means they are way past their best and could fail suddenly.  Also, if the coolant in the header looks a bit muddy i.e. nothing like normal, off the shelf coolant, then oil may be slowly getting in to it - this will also cause the hoses to sweat, soften and fail.  Check the radiator fins.  A slight leak from a stone impact may only show as a stain because when cold the coolant will evaporate rather than drip, more so when hot. If you can see the water pump, look for staining there as well.

[twosmoke300]

I'd go for water pump

[AlabamaShrimp]

If this snaps will the back suspension collapse?

 

 

Or is it something just to stop sideways movement?