Ask a Shiter

[Austat]

How do you edit the signature section on the bottom of comments? I've seen people who've added their current fleet info there, however I can't find where you can edit it.

[Slowsilver]

Click your user name at the top right of the screen.
Click the "Account Settings" option in the drop-down list.
Click the "Signature" option on the left-hand side.
Click the right-hand end of the "View signatures?" button to turn signature display on.
Type your desired signature text into the edit box.
Click the "Save" button.
Et voila!

 

[Austat]

I have a few questions;

Firstly, what do these red french license plates signify? I heard they were for Diplomatic vehicles but they may have other uses:

Second of all, what are the differences between the MK2 Cortinas with the Red grill badges and those with the blue ones?

My third question is what differences are there between the Citroen DS and the lower-spec ID variants?

My last question is do the numbers in the DS model names refer to the engine sizes? Par example, the DS 19 has a 1.9L engine and the DS 23 has a 2.3L, etc.

[Snipes]

Use to see red Ford badges on lots of cars but mk3 Escorts come to mind. I had forgotten about them.

[adw1977]

On 3/22/2020 at 5:53 AM, Austat said:

My last question is do the numbers in the DS model names refer to the engine sizes? Par example, the DS 19 has a 1.9L engine and the DS 23 has a 2.3L, etc.

Generally speaking yes, although some (but not all) cars badged 19 had an engine closer to 2.0 than 1.9 litres and similarly some DS21s had an engine closer to 2.2 than 2.1.

Citroenet is your friend for all things Citroen. 

[JeeExEll]

Red Cortina badges were on the Mk2 series 1 (1966 till summer 68) and the blue ones for series 2 cars until summer 1970.

Red badges were 2-piece with the top push-in bit being the bonnet release button. Meaning anyone could click open your bonnet. Later blue ones were just a one-piece badge but the style was very similar and the bonnet was opened by cable-pull under the dash (the plastic handle of which was usually broken).

Instead of 'C' badges the Uren Savage 3-litres had badges of their own.

 

[Alan_Green]

OK, what do we think about this then?  BMW i3 being recovered after hitting a deer.  BMW driver not allowed in the recovery truck cab (due to C19) so has to sit in the crashed car while it's strapped to the truck's load deck and they happily zip along the motorway like that.  

https://www.facebook.com/StevenDundee/videos/10158063683810751/

[New POD]

I think I can't read it as I don't have Facebook. 

[paulplom]

It's coming up as 'this content isn't available right now'. Usually means it's been deleted.

[loserone]

Still there, it's in an electric car group

[mitsisigma01]

Linky not worky

[catsinthewelder]

I assume that a decision has been made to allow that for social distancing reasons.  In some ways it seems risky but how many cars have fallen off the back of AA trucks?  The alternative would be a spate of recovery drivers becoming ill and keeping people at the side of busy roads for longer would probably be riskier.

[Tenmil Socket]

Does anybody know of any cheap car storage in Merseyside?

Cheers

[Tenmil Socket]

I left the house this morning and I noticed that the headlights on my MX5 were popping up and down on their own! I've disconnected the battery for now. For all I know it might have been doing it all night. Does anyone know what might be causing this? @gm @snagglepuss @brownnova

[Jerzy Woking]

Is there only one type of seatbelt material? I dont think I have ever been in a car or van where the belt hasn't had the identical webbing structure, no matter what colour the belt is.

 

[gm]

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

I left the house this morning and I noticed that the headlights on my MX5 were popping up and down on their own! I've disconnected the battery for now. For all I know it might have been doing it all night. Does anyone know what might be causing this? @gm @snagglepuss @brownnova

Must have been a bit of a wtf moment  

I would be looking at the steering column switch for the lights, pop the cowel off and check the plugs are all seated properly. If yours is an import, there might be a ‘flash to pass’ diode piggybacked into one of the plugs, check it’s not loose.

under the bonnet, have a look at the three relays under the passenger side wing near the diagnostic plug, any loose plugs or wires there ? 

Also check the headlight raise button on the centre console, does it have any effect when you switch it on or off ? 

I hope it’s something simple, if you’ve not used the car for a while, you might have little mices munching on your loom  
 

[Tenmil Socket]

12 minutes ago, gm said:

Must have been a bit of a wtf moment  

I would be looking at the steering column switch for the lights, pop the cowel off and check the plugs are all seated properly. If yours is an import, there might be a ‘flash to pass’ diode piggybacked into one of the plugs, check it’s not loose.

under the bonnet, have a look at the three relays under the passenger side wing near the diagnostic plug, any loose plugs or wires there ? 

Also check the headlight raise button on the centre console, does it have any effect when you switch it on or off ? 

I hope it’s something simple, if you’ve not used the car for a while, you might have little mices munching on your loom  
 

When I was in the shower this morning (which is at the front of the house near the drive where the car is parked) I could hear something which I thought was a neighbour with a wheelie bin. I could then still hear it whilst getting dressed in the bedroom and then in the kitchen whilst having a coffee so when I left the house and saw this happening it was quite bizarre ? I have fitted a quick release clamp to the battery so that was simple enough. Mine is a UK car. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a nosey tonight.

 

[gm]

Before pulling things apart, see what happens if you turn the headlights on - do they stay up ? Likewise, with headlights off will they stay up when you push the lights up button ? 
hope it’s a simple fix  

[Tamworthbay]

I am sure I remember a similar issue with someone on MX5nuts and it was something stupid simple like a low battery. Will try and find it.......

[brownnova]

My money would be on a dodgy connection with the dash switch. When mine isn’t used for a while the ignition switch plays up and random things (wipers, dash lights, blowers) take it in turns not to work after a dry out al back to normal. As the headlight switch is always connected (if I remember rightly) it could be this.

I should really do something with mine... it’s sitting a bit unloved under a tree with crap slowly being piled around it. 

[GHE]

I'd appreciate some help with an annoying problem on my 2005 Shogun Sport.

The sidelights are now on permanently (or at least they would be if I hadn't removed the two fuses that supply them). Does anyone have any idea what's causing this and how to fix it please?

Normally, my son would sort this out for me, but he's 90 miles away and lockdown means that he can't help, other than suggest that I ask on here.

[GBJ]

Some Japanese cars (eg. Subarus) have lights that turn off with the ignition. They have a separate switch that turns the side lights on for parking lights.

Maybe the Shogun has one of these switches that has been inadvertently switched on?

[loserone]

You still need the lights to be on on the stalk though.

[Tenmil Socket]

On 4/23/2020 at 11:29 AM, Tamworthbay said:

I am sure I remember a similar issue with someone on MX5nuts and it was something stupid simple like a low battery. Will try and find it.......

I forgot to update that I sorted* this issue (it's a new battery on it btw). The lights would stay up or down using the switch. I simply sprayed electrical contact cleaner on all the electrics. I've not had to disconnect the battery since so unless it only does it while I'm in bed it's sorted ? Also it's a pain in the ass re-tuning the radio every time you get in the car.

[Tenmil Socket]

The stop/start function has stopped working on the daily (not a problem as I turn it off anyway). A bit of Googling points towards the battery. I thought I'd have a quick look on ECP at prices ??

I'm assuming this will be classed as a wear and tear item and not covered by the warranty?

 

[Mally]

Buy this or similar instead. They will only be that price when they have none.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/019-High-Power-Enduroline-Calcium-Car-Battery-More-Power-than-AGM-and-EFB/271748798471?hash=item3f457d9807:g:Wg0AAOSw3adeeb~Q

[mitsisigma01]

2 hours ago, Tenmil Socket said:

The stop/start function has stopped working on the daily (not a problem as I turn it off anyway). A bit of Googling points towards the battery. I thought I'd have a quick look on ECP at prices ??

I'm assuming this will be classed as a wear and tear item and not covered by the warranty?

 

They'll be in a 70% off sale soon I expect, ECP and carparts4less, same owners different prices, all returns to ECP though ???, Tayna batteries good prices, well for an ordinary car 

[Tenmil Socket]

Another question regarding the MX5 ?

I was out yesterday (to pick up a prescription) and everything was fine (beforehand) until I came off the motorway after a few miles and when I started braking at the end of the slip road the car was pulling to the right quite badly. I immediately drove home and parked the car up without looking into it. Immediate thoughts are the nearside front caliper isn't working (I did red rubber grease the pistons and sliders year before last when discs and pads were changed)? Before I just simply order new calipers is there anyone withe experience of MX5's that could suggest any other areas to inspect first? The car does very limited mileage, say 10 - 20 miles a week.

[Kiltox]

On 5/18/2020 at 3:14 PM, Tenmil Socket said:

The stop/start function has stopped working on the daily (not a problem as I turn it off anyway). A bit of Googling points towards the battery. I thought I'd have a quick look on ECP at prices ??

I'm assuming this will be classed as a wear and tear item and not covered by the warranty?

 

I noticed ECP battery prices have gone mental - £320 for one for my van that can be had from Halfords of all places for £100. 

Guess there’s a 99% off batteries code around. Arseholes. 

[gm]

37 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Another question regarding the MX5 ?

I was out yesterday (to pick up a prescription) and everything was fine (beforehand) until I came off the motorway after a few miles and when I started braking at the end of the slip road the car was pulling to the right quite badly. I immediately drove home and parked the car up without looking into it. Immediate thoughts are the nearside front caliper isn't working (I did red rubber grease the pistons and sliders year before last when discs and pads were changed)? Before I just simply order new calipers is there anyone withe experience of MX5's that could suggest any other areas to inspect first? The car does very limited mileage, say 10 - 20 miles a week.

I'd be tempted to take it for a careful short drive and see if one calliper is heating up more than the others. it's not impossible that corrosion has built up on under the silver clips that the pads slide on, ping the clips out, file down the channels they sit in and replace so the pads slide easily back and forth, might be a nice simple fix ? or file a bit off the lugs on the pads, will have much the same effect but you will have to do that each time you replace the pads.