Nick Barnes

Hi Allblue, Bought some new relays from the scrapyard today will fit them tomorrow fingers crossed. What Mk is mine ? I thought VII ? First registered in 2000

Hi Ian, yes they tilt forward its all a standard Ford leather interior ( the front seats have the Ford logo stamped into the back rest ) as far as I can tell. I took the seats out tightened the bolts that hold the subframe on and they are better some bolts I couldn't get to so will do it again when I have more time to strip the seats further to reach the ones I couldn't get at. I pushed the REAR back seat further back, I think the hinge is slightly bent so will take it out completely and straighten it then the seat should go back even further only a 1 inch gap now. still haven't sorted the interior light ? got a second hand one from a breakers and installed a working bulb but still no fix, maybe that unit is also no good or wiring must be no good. Also still have no rear fog light again changed the bulb that I know is good and checked the fuse maybe its the relay that's the next check. Got myself lots of little jobs so is a nice project, pity the weather is no good or I would be out there now doing bits and pieces

I just bought a 2000 1.6i Cabriolet 147,000 Km's. I'm in Holland ( Origionally England been here 6 years ) Just checking things more carefully now I got her home, So far a few electrical probs with fog lights / interior light. looks like wiring as all bulbs replaced / checked and fuses are all ok ?? I just noticed the back seat has a gap on one side at the rear where it meets the back cushion ? ( gap between the cushions is about 2 inches at the left hand corner where it meets the side panel & back rest ) I cant see anywhere to adjust the back up or down or move the seat part any further back at that side ? Any ideas ? It has a full leather interior Also both front seats are wobbly ? hopefully just a tightening of the subframe ? as the runners are tightly done up, I will take them out tomorrow. Trying to find a Haynes Manual for this car but can only find US sites that are free to download into PDF form and these are not the correct ones for my model, does anyone know where I can download one for free ?

Ford Escort Cabriolet 1.6i Has any one got a link to the Haynes Repair Manual for this European registered car ( first registered 2000 ) that can be downloaded free ? I can only find the American version 1991 - 1996 Ford Escort online PDF, no good for my car ? totally different ?

Hi All just bought a 1.6 I, cabriolet first year of registration 07/12/2000, ( European model always registered and kept in Holland ) Checking things over after getting it home 1: The rear fog lights do not work ( light comes on, on the dash switch though ) checked bulbs both working OK, 2 Interior light not working in any position ? again changed and checked bulb it is OK First thing I did was check ALL the fuses by the driver side footwell inside the car they are ALL OK Is there any other fuses somewhere else ? in the engine bay maybe that could control these lights or perhaps its just broken wires ? Has any one got a link to the Haynes Repair Manual for this European 2000 car that can be downloaded free ? I can only find the American version - 2002 online PDF, no good for my car ? totally different ?

Thanks Allblue for the reply I will ask about the supports if he has the cover

There must be another sign of working out the Km's ? other than are shown on the speedo, except the above points ? When there is no paperwork to back it up either way ? I do not want to pay the price for a car that has done 1000Km's ( 62,000 Miles ) more than is advertised, The car I am looking at is a 1997 1.8 XR3i showing 34,000 Km's on the speedometer, with reported 134,000 Km's ( 83,750 Miles ) or it could be 234,000 Km's ( 146,250 Miles )?? There are 4 years of past MOT's ( APK's in Holland ) with the car, which show the car has only covered 5,000 Km's ( 3,125 miles ) in the last 4 years, but before that ? it could be 129,000 in 15 years or 229,000 in 15 years ? Any more pointers I should look for ? Like I said I am no mechanic so any help would be appreciated it could also help me negotiate a better price ? Nick

Hi guys I owned 2 cabs back in the 80's brand new out of the factory ( good old Dagenham lol ) I am looking at getting one again as a second car, as I loved the cars, I am trying to get a late model 1.8 XR3i with all the bells and whistles. The biggest problem is that because they only have 5 digits on the speedo ( in Km's here in Holland ) I ask the question to the seller but there's no way ( if there's not a full service history which there rarely is ) and I not being a mechanic can check if its done 138,000 Km's or 238,000 Km's ? for a 1997 car ? Some dealers are even advertising cars with 50,000 - 80,000 Km's haha until I question it, then they say yeah possibly 167,000 ?. The MOT certificate equivalent over here just shows what's on the clock only 5 numbers ? so is there any thing I can check except the usual wear and tear on carpets / steering wheel / pedals / seats ? what can give away the age and Km's covered ? without taking the engine apart ? while I'm checking it over ?

Hi Thanks for the reply I did not notice any mounts or rings, just the pins ? ( that's what made me ask you guys I did not ask him DOH ) but as he said he has other stuff for the car that wasn't there when I saw it so I will see what he comes up with ? And I've owned 2 of these cars before many years ago, bought from new but have never seen this option.

Hi Ian thanks for the info hopefully he has this piece too as the pins are there to fix it too, they look like they are factory fitted ? would this of been done when the car was made or are they added afterwards ? ( I have never seen one so could be interesting, he said he has other stuff to go with the car ) Nick

Hi all, I am looking at buying a 1997 1.8 XR3i Karmaan Ghia the guy selling it says he has got a Tonneau Cover for it, ( not seen this yet, it wasn't with the car when I viewed it ) should there also be a wind defector net that goes across the back seats and onto the centre roll bar ? Also I noticed that inside the car along the top of the dashboard near to the bottom of the windscreen there are PINS sticking up that look like they are for holding a cover of some sort can any one tell me what they are for never seen this before ? is this for an extra cover ? any one got any pics of this ( aftermarket maybe ? ) Thanks Nick