The grumpy thread

[Stanky]

  On 30/05/2023 at 13:50, wuvvum said:

Tried that, it said "the vehicle is not responding to the diagnostic request".  Only for the immobiliser mind - the airbags responded fine if I told the Delphi it was a 2002 car.

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Is a connector for the immobilizer (on the car) loose at all? Did it get knocked or unplugged when you were fiddling with the suspension/cat/other gubbinz?

[wuvvum]

I've had the car running (and driven it) several times since I fitted the cat so I don't think that's related.  I did have to move some wiring around when working on the suspension, but I didn't actually unplug anything, and I've checked all the connectors in that vicinity and all looks OK as far as I can see.  Unless there was a wire somewhere which had become brittle and snapped inside the insulation when I moved it, but if that's the case then the car is basically scrap because I'm fucked if I'm going to spend days trying to trace a broken wire somewhere in the world's least accessible engine bay...

[PicantoJon]

This fecking nut. Holding the knackered old drop link in situ with 16 years of rust and what I assume demonic hatred. As you can see it eventually lost, though that's 3 fecking hours of my life I'm not getting back... 

Dad nearly offed himself in the process, instead of showing me what needs doing he just bloody has to take over. Silly fucker has a pacemaker and a pharmacy of meds! 

[chaseracer]

The Zanussi got MOT advisories last week for front tyres, and after nearly 40000 miles surprised I was not.  "Proceed without delay to your chosen Lexus dealer", said the leasing company.  And so, this morning, I did.

Picture the scene...

Lexus Wolverhampton Service Bloke: Sorry it's taken us two hours to fit two tyres, Mr Racer.  Normally we'd valet the car, but you're already late for your next appointment, so we won't. North of Stoke?

Me: Yeeeeeessss...

LWSB: Oh, and we broke the tyre pressure warning sensor so the car will be bleating at you until it's fixed.  It'll be in tomorrow.  Probably.

Me: Aha...

<Later, following blast up and down M6, on checking new tyres... on the outside of one tyre is the word INSIDE...>

Me: 

<FX: phone ringing... /FX>

🙄

[Barry Cade]

Just out of the blue I was contacted by an old mate, who offered me his rather special X1/9 for cheap. I have money saved for my Euro bike tour in 3 weeks.  Why do you get things like this flung at you when you least expect it and don't need the sleepless nights 😞

[omegod]

I was out on a visit with work and noticed a transit in a side street with no plates on , closer inspection and it was evident there was no engine in it and the exhaust has been freshly cut at the manifold, I took a pic of the VIN from the screen and ran it through isitnicked and sure enough it was stolen in Dec 22.  I've reported it to Police. I guess it's been used on false plates for a while then engine raped over the bank holiday then dumped.  RATS !!

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I popped into town with my OH and our little'un this morning. First time in ages. 

St Austell town centre was getting bad press due to antisocial behaviour from pissheads/smackheads a while back, although apparently the local constabulary hammered the issue and have 'given the town centre back to the locals'. It's a difficult one as we have an increasing number of large 'dryhouses' appearing on the fringes of our small town and it's clear the residents are getting bored in the daytime with nothing constructive to do. It's a long-running discussion locally that our town increasingly seems to be the hotspot for this type of property use, while Truro, our more affluent neighbour 30 minutes down the road, seems less affected. 

Anyway, back to my observations. As we waited for my OH in the bank, I observed three chaps openly drinking on the bench just outside, on the main high street. Bear in mind it's supposed to be an alcohol-free zone. 

As we left along came another of the brethren - this chap was completely smashed. The bloke was instantly intimating to some of the public walking past, shouting at them and generally being a gobby twat. 

I moved my family along fairly quickly and we headed further along the street. After popping into a couple of shops, we retraced our steps back down the high street only to spot the blokes from earlier again. This time they were milling around the street with gobby twat intimidating a young lass who was trying to escape from a shop doorway. As we continued past, evidence of a few piles of fresh vomit outside of the travel agent's shopfront presented itself. 

I really felt for the poor sods trying their hardest to keep their businesses going despite the current financial challenges whilst contending with this daily shitshow. I've since done a bit of digging and apparently this is pretty much a daily occurrence, despite the police previously insisting they'd worked hard to stem the problems. 

I can't see the situation improving any time soon. What a sad state of affairs. 

 

[High Jetter]

West country delights*. What a shame.

[alcyonecorporation]

  On 30/05/2023 at 07:19, Lacquer Peel said:

Why can't I get a DATE?

Hey gorgeous,  did you know Ssangyong built the MK1 Isuzu Trooper under licence? 

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take me now 

[horriblemercedes]

"You had me at 'Ssangyong'"

[New POD]

  On 30/05/2023 at 21:58, Dick Longbridge said:

I popped into town with my OH and our little'un this morning. First time in ages. 

St Austell town centre was getting bad press due to antisocial behaviour from pissheads/smackheads a while back, although apparently the local constabulary hammered the issue and have 'given the town centre back to the locals'. It's a difficult one as we have an increasing number of large 'dryhouses' appearing on the fringes of our small town and it's clear the residents are getting bored in the daytime with nothing constructive to do. It's a long-running discussion locally that our town increasingly seems to be the hotspot for this type of property use, while Truro, our more affluent neighbour 30 minutes down the road, seems less affected. 

Anyway, back to my observations. As we waited for my OH in the bank, I observed three chaps openly drinking on the bench just outside, on the main high street. Bear in mind it's supposed to be an alcohol-free zone. 

As we left along came another of the brethren - this chap was completely smashed. The bloke was instantly intimating to some of the public walking past, shouting at them and generally being a gobby twat. 

I moved my family along fairly quickly and we headed further along the street. After popping into a couple of shops, we retraced our steps back down the high street only to spot the blokes from earlier again. This time they were milling around the street with gobby twat intimidating a young lass who was trying to escape from a shop doorway. As we continued past, evidence of a few piles of fresh vomit outside of the travel agent's shopfront presented itself. 

I really felt for the poor sods trying their hardest to keep their businesses going despite the current financial challenges whilst contending with this daily shitshow. I've since done a bit of digging and apparently this is pretty much a daily occurrence, despite the police previously insisting they'd worked hard to stem the problems. 

I can't see the situation improving any time soon. What a sad state of affairs. 

 

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Did you phone the police ? 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

  On 31/05/2023 at 11:30, New POD said:

Did you phone the police ? 

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Negative. 

[5speedracer]

  On 30/05/2023 at 17:41, chaseracer said:

The Zanussi got MOT advisories last week for front tyres, and after nearly 40000 miles surprised I was not.  "Proceed without delay to your chosen Lexus dealer", said the leasing company.  And so, this morning, I did.

Picture the scene...

Lexus Wolverhampton Service Bloke: Sorry it's taken us two hours to fit two tyres, Mr Racer.  Normally we'd valet the car, but you're already late for your next appointment, so we won't. North of Stoke?

Me: Yeeeeeessss...

LWSB: Oh, and we broke the tyre pressure warning sensor so the car will be bleating at you until it's fixed.  It'll be in tomorrow.  Probably.

Me: Aha...

<Later, following blast up and down M6, on checking new tyres... on the outside of one tyre is the word INSIDE...>

Me: 

<FX: phone ringing... /FX>

🙄

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It's bad when you think Kwik-Fit might have been a better bet.

 

[Dyslexic Viking]

I question my sanity. Have cleaned out the garage and have found used and bad brake parts, an empty tube of toothpaste and a lot of other crap that I don't understand why it is there and why I have kept it. 

The next challenge is cleaning out the shed, which I know has a broken gearbox, a rusty car door and broken springs and many used oil filters and a lot of cardboard boxes from car/tractor parts delivered to name a few. 

[D.E]

☹️

https://www.gooieneemlander.nl/cnt/dmf20230531_70723433

[RoverFolkUs]

  On 30/05/2023 at 06:27, High Jetter said:

I hate that sort of 'unnecessary' change too. Just a warning though, when I made a similar moan some while back I was told I was getting old!

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Er, intolerant to unnecessary change, if that counts as getting old!

  On 30/05/2023 at 06:32, andyberg said:

My phone also updated this week. Now the previous white background on emails ect is a kind of piss yellow/green. 😡

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What make out of interest? I don't know if it's a fault thats been introduced or whether it's a damn hidden setting where I can change it back. There are colour optimization features but it's already on vivid. If I select standard then it's even worse and washed out.. 

I did wonder if it was just my eyes imagining things but everyone I've shown it to agrees the colours look off. 

  On 30/05/2023 at 07:30, Dan the van said:

Samsung per chance?.Mine has the update paused 'cos it is so massive it was going to take nearly 7 hours!.And was threatening all the stuff you just listed.I think I'm going to leave it be......

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No it's actually Xiaomi or however you're supposed to spell it (yes I know all of my information is probably being extracted but I deliberately keep nothing on my phone I'd be unhappy to be breached!)

It's MIUI so the same with Huawei. What's also really annoying that I've found is that they've also played with the pin lock screen. They've shifted everything up slightly, including the emergency call icon. So, due to muscle memory, I keep hitting emergency call rather than 0 🤬

Normally I use the finger scanner but when I've got dirty hands (i.e, all the time during the working day...) then I have to enter my pin, so it's not like I can just use the fingerprint all the time. I could use a pattern. But why should I?! 

Obviously if I change the pin that I've been using since forever then I'll just forget it and lock myself out 😆

Why do they do it!? 

[Remspoor]

  On 30/05/2023 at 21:58, Dick Longbridge said:

I popped into town with my OH and our little'un this morning. First time in ages. 

St Austell town centre was getting bad press due to antisocial behaviour from pissheads/smackheads a while back, although apparently the local constabulary hammered the issue and have 'given the town centre back to the locals'. It's a difficult one as we have an increasing number of large 'dryhouses' appearing on the fringes of our small town and it's clear the residents are getting bored in the daytime with nothing constructive to do. It's a long-running discussion locally that our town increasingly seems to be the hotspot for this type of property use, while Truro, our more affluent neighbour 30 minutes down the road, seems less affected. 

Anyway, back to my observations. As we waited for my OH in the bank, I observed three chaps openly drinking on the bench just outside, on the main high street. Bear in mind it's supposed to be an alcohol-free zone. 

As we left along came another of the brethren - this chap was completely smashed. The bloke was instantly intimating to some of the public walking past, shouting at them and generally being a gobby twat. 

I moved my family along fairly quickly and we headed further along the street. After popping into a couple of shops, we retraced our steps back down the high street only to spot the blokes from earlier again. This time they were milling around the street with gobby twat intimidating a young lass who was trying to escape from a shop doorway. As we continued past, evidence of a few piles of fresh vomit outside of the travel agent's shopfront presented itself. 

I really felt for the poor sods trying their hardest to keep their businesses going despite the current financial challenges whilst contending with this daily shitshow. I've since done a bit of digging and apparently this is pretty much a daily occurrence, despite the police previously insisting they'd worked hard to stem the problems. 

I can't see the situation improving any time soon. What a sad state of affairs. 

 

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St Austell the ultimate turdtown in Cornwall.

This link starts at St Austell.

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

  On 31/05/2023 at 14:08, Dyslexic Viking said:

I question my sanity. Have cleaned out the garage and have found used and bad brake parts, an empty tube of toothpaste and a lot of other crap that I don't understand why it is there and why I have kept it. 

The next challenge is cleaning out the shed, which I know has a broken gearbox, a rusty car door and broken springs and many used oil filters and a lot of cardboard boxes from car/tractor parts delivered to name a few. 

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That will keep you busy whilst the old taxi is away being welded

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 31/05/2023 at 20:23, auntiemaryscanary said:

That will keep you busy whilst the old taxi is away being welded

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Yes it will if I can find the motivation to start on it.

[sheffcortinacentre]

  On 30/05/2023 at 21:58, Dick Longbridge said:

I popped into town with my OH and our little'un this morning. First time in ages. 

St Austell town centre was getting bad press due to antisocial behaviour from pissheads/smackheads a while back, although apparently the local constabulary hammered the issue and have 'given the town centre back to the locals'. It's a difficult one as we have an increasing number of large 'dryhouses' appearing on the fringes of our small town and it's clear the residents are getting bored in the daytime with nothing constructive to do. It's a long-running discussion locally that our town increasingly seems to be the hotspot for this type of property use, while Truro, our more affluent neighbour 30 minutes down the road, seems less affected. 

Anyway, back to my observations. As we waited for my OH in the bank, I observed three chaps openly drinking on the bench just outside, on the main high street. Bear in mind it's supposed to be an alcohol-free zone. 

As we left along came another of the brethren - this chap was completely smashed. The bloke was instantly intimating to some of the public walking past, shouting at them and generally being a gobby twat. 

I moved my family along fairly quickly and we headed further along the street. After popping into a couple of shops, we retraced our steps back down the high street only to spot the blokes from earlier again. This time they were milling around the street with gobby twat intimidating a young lass who was trying to escape from a shop doorway. As we continued past, evidence of a few piles of fresh vomit outside of the travel agent's shopfront presented itself. 

I really felt for the poor sods trying their hardest to keep their businesses going despite the current financial challenges whilst contending with this daily shitshow. I've since done a bit of digging and apparently this is pretty much a daily occurrence, despite the police previously insisting they'd worked hard to stem the problems. 

I can't see the situation improving any time soon. What a sad state of affairs. 

 

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Same in Sheffield & most of  country & the unofficial line is turn a blind eye.

[Noel Tidybeard]

  On 30/05/2023 at 10:56, iainrcz said:

FLT refresher next Tuesday. 8am!!

Inhumane.

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pah piece of piss!

as an instructor we had to refresh every year but half the points and half the time alloted to trainees!😵

[iainrcz]

  On 31/05/2023 at 22:24, Noel Tidybeard said:

pah piece of piss!

as an instructor we had to refresh every year but half the points and half the time alloted to trainees!😵

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I've had my licence nearly 20 years, but they always book the refreshers at ungodly hours of the day. Plus my work is nearly 20 miles away.

I work nights for a reason, I hate getting up in the morning 🤣

[artdjones]

  On 31/05/2023 at 14:08, Dyslexic Viking said:

I question my sanity. Have cleaned out the garage and have found used and bad brake parts, an empty tube of toothpaste and a lot of other crap that I don't understand why it is there and why I have kept it. 

The next challenge is cleaning out the shed, which I know has a broken gearbox, a rusty car door and broken springs and many used oil filters and a lot of cardboard boxes from car/tractor parts delivered to name a few. 

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Flatten all the boxes and it's going to look a lot better. It should give some impetus to start on the rest.

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 01/06/2023 at 08:02, artdjones said:

Flatten all the boxes and it's going to look a lot better. It should give some impetus to start on the rest.

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Yes, this will help, the only problem is that some of them also contain broken car parts.

I have to take a trip to the garbage station soon and preferably do it a little more often.

And I can't be the only one here who has too many old car parts and similar lying around?

[Rust Collector]

  On 01/06/2023 at 12:26, Dyslexic Viking said:

And I can't be the only one here who has too many old car parts and similar lying around?

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I've got a garage full... can't remember what's broken and what's a spare anymore 🤣

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 01/06/2023 at 12:29, Rust Collector said:

I've got a garage full... can't remember what's broken and what's a spare anymore 🤣

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Good to hear I'm not the only one.

[andyberg]

  On 31/05/2023 at 19:54, RoverFolkUs said:

Er, intolerant to unnecessary change, if that counts as getting old!

What make out of interest? I don't know if it's a fault thats been introduced or whether it's a damn hidden setting where I can change it back. There are colour optimization features but it's already on vivid. If I select standard then it's even worse and washed out.. 

I did wonder if it was just my eyes imagining things but everyone I've shown it to agrees the colours look off. 

No it's actually Xiaomi or however you're supposed to spell it (yes I know all of my information is probably being extracted but I deliberately keep nothing on my phone I'd be unhappy to be breached!)

It's MIUI so the same with Huawei. What's also really annoying that I've found is that they've also played with the pin lock screen. They've shifted everything up slightly, including the emergency call icon. So, due to muscle memory, I keep hitting emergency call rather than 0 🤬

Normally I use the finger scanner but when I've got dirty hands (i.e, all the time during the working day...) then I have to enter my pin, so it's not like I can just use the fingerprint all the time. I could use a pattern. But why should I?! 

Obviously if I change the pin that I've been using since forever then I'll just forget it and lock myself out 😆

Why do they do it!? 

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Yup mines a Xiaomi phone too, just uprated to OS 14. It's bloody crap.

[RoverFolkUs]

  On 01/06/2023 at 12:43, andyberg said:

Yup mines a Xiaomi phone too, just uprated to OS 14. It's bloody crap.

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Glad I'm not the only one. But in fairness it's got the features of a £400 phone and I paid £140 for mine or thereabouts. Got what I paid for I guess

[Timewaster]

  On 01/06/2023 at 08:02, artdjones said:

Flatten all the boxes and it's going to look a lot better. It should give some impetus to start on the rest.

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Casually scrolling, I thought this was fork lift truck refresher advice.

It's always boxes cones or pallets as a course at our place, depends what the instructor can be bothered to find.

My last ft refresher was at a different depot and outside.

It absolutely pissed with rain so the instructor watched us pick up a pallet, turn 360 and put it down again from 50ft away. Everyone passed with pretty much no points.

[cobblers]

Suns out nowadays and all the local cycle club lot are out treating the roads on my commute as their own personal race track.

Dozens of them, every other night in the week - veering out in front of me while I'm passing them nice and wide so they can overtake their pals. I nearly ended up putting the van in the ditch last week swerving to avoid someone.

Yesterday, as I was pulling away from a green light at the crossroads (indicating to turn left!), a group of half a dozen of them undertook me at speed and went straight across - it's a good job I was paying attention!

I'm a cyclist and I absolutely thoroughly support this new push to give cyclists more space etc etc, but it really seems to have emboldened these absolute dickheads into feeling invincible.

 

Sooner or later one of them is going to end up getting themselves killed and ruining a totally innocent persons life who was just trying to get to work.