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Anyone a mechanic on here? Advice only (no jobs/quotes etc)


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A friend's 2003 Focus' airbag light is not illuminating on the start-up sequence, will this affect the MOT, does anyone know?

 

It shouldn't. I believe the light has to come on and go out again.

 

But if its not coming on in the first place then it could be a sign someone has tampered with the light to mask an airbag fault. If it were me I'd want all my airbags to be working.

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A friend's 2003 Focus' airbag light is not illuminating on the start-up sequence, will this affect the MOT, does anyone know?

 

Technically yes, but in practice no.

 

When the tester switches on your ignition they expect to see a bunch of random lights come on which will then all extinguish when the engine is started. It is anything that remains on, that they are checking for. The way most warning lights work is that a fully functioning system is what keeps the light off. Any fault with the system and the warning light illuminates. If it is 'off' in both states, it is most likely to be a blown bulb.

 

(And none of us really know if our airbags are working until they go bang! :|)

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A friend's 2003 Focus' airbag light is not illuminating on the start-up sequence, will this affect the MOT, does anyone know?

 

An airbag lamp will only fail an Mot if it is illuminated, hence showing a fault.

If however it does not illuminate at all that would be a "Pass and advise".

 

In comparison, an ABS lamp has to illuminate and then go out, hence showing no fault. If however, the ABS lamp doesn't work at all this would be a reason for rejection, "Major Fail"

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Avensis 2006 T25_ [2003-2008] Hatchback 2.0 D-4D 1998ccm 93KW (Diesel)

 

Had this car for 11 years, hardly any problems.

It now has a starting problem from cold.

Turn key on, wait until dash lights go out the try starting it. It spins but sounds as though it is laboring. A couple of tries and the battery dies.

Tried a new 74ah battery. Same only except it keeps struggling several times then starts up and is completely normal.

Once it starts up, it is OK every time, until parked up for a while.

Had suggestions like in-line fuel pump, starter motor, and such.

Any advice appreciated.

Now at 77, and it was a side valve ford, I would be in my elements.

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Yes it's mainly town / city driving. It is a diesel. Is there anything I could do? Thank you for your response

 

You've probably sludged the engine up, EGR, DPF etc will be full of crap.

Big garage bills are usually on the horizon.

 

You shouldn't be doing lots of city driving in a diesel, it just ends in tears.

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Avensis 2006 T25_ [2003-2008] Hatchback 2.0 D-4D 1998ccm 93KW (Diesel)

 

Had this car for 11 years, hardly any problems.

It now has a starting problem from cold.

Turn key on, wait until dash lights go out the try starting it. It spins but sounds as though it is laboring. A couple of tries and the battery dies.

Tried a new 74ah battery. Same only except it keeps struggling several times then starts up and is completely normal.

Once it starts up, it is OK every time, until parked up for a while.

Had suggestions like in-line fuel pump, starter motor, and such.

Any advice appreciated.

Now at 77, and it was a side valve ford, I would be in my elements.

 

I would be starting with the basics here. When was the last time the air filter and fuel filter was changed? Oil is another one, I've had a fair few that was like Blancmange, some of which had actually thrown a rod. After that I would be looking at the glow plugs, would also recommend a compression test while they are out. Then you would be looking at the low and high pressure fuel supplies including pumps and injectors. this is all assuming the battery and starter motor is good.

 

How many miles has it done? And out of interest, is it using coolant?

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