Jocko

I delivered for a Motor Factor a few years back and we sold Chinese discs and pads and "Chinese" discs and pads. The "Chinese" discs were the same price for two as the others were a piece and a box of two weighed about the same as the box with the single disc. Sometimes garages would ask for a set of each and let the customer decide which ones they wanted to pay for but usually, they insisted on the good ones.

Where about in Scotland are you? I was recommended a good VAG independent on the southern edge of Edinburgh. I haven't used them but the member who recommended them has.

On two occasions I have done 100,000 miles on a set of pads and over 10 years motoring. I have never changed pads until they are worn down and have never experienced a pad or brake shoe failure.

You may not be aware, but at the present times LED exterior lights of any kind (including number plate lights) are illegal in the UK in units not specifically designed and certified for LEDs. I would swap back to standard bulbs and save the hassle. If you do succeed in switching the dashboard light out that will stop it operating for any lamp failure, not a great move.

When my fan stopped working I too suspected the X Relay but it was the fan motor itself which had failed . The dealer who sold me the car replaced it FOC. 2009 Fabia.

My condensate comes down inside a box section on the driver's side. Check the open bottom is not clogged with muck.

Warm moist air is what causes the misting and that can only come from, as sepulchrave suggests, the scuttle drains, or the condensate drain. I suspect the latter as it is intermittent and could be caused by the switching (and thawing) of the air con.

Was the old cabin filter damp?

I found quite a pool of water in the spare wheel well of my Fabia. A judiciously drilled hole in one of the plugs solved that. My pollen filter is accessible from the front passenger footwell, just below the dashboard.

The rear drums were stripped and the brakes overhauled, by the garage that sold me the car, about 1500 miles ago and car was MOT'd less than a month ago. Time was I would pull it apart but at my age and level of disability it would require a garage job. I'll just leave it in gear and with the handbrake off when on my drive. It is pretty flat there. Thanks.

My rear brakes stick on every time I leave the car parked for a couple of days or more. On occasions it it like trying to pull away with the handbrake on then there is a bang and it is fine after that. It doesn't stick in normal use. I am concerned that if I leave it in gear with the handbrake off I risk the cambelt jumping a tooth. Has anyone any advice for me as to how to stop it sticking? BXW engine.

That could be down to the time of year. It is not just EVs that suffer from cold wet weather. I trust you have checked your tyre pressures!

The PCD should sit in the RH side of the boot. Although not fitted, I would check and see if the wiring for it is there. A lot of times they use a standard harness in cars then connect up what is required and leave dangling what isn't. It is worth a look.

There are other computers beside the engine management system that control the car electrics. Personally, I wouldn't worry to much if the issue you had does not re-occur. It is a computer after all. It just takes a glitch to upset things and a reset can clear them. Just like switching your home computer off and on again. Your other issues are a different matter but I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to offer advice.

When a bulb blows it can sometimes take a fuse out. You have two options. Check all the bulbs for a blown one or replace the fuse, see it it pops again, and if not, see what bulb isn't working.

I have to agree with that. Provided you buy the correct grade for your engine there are no BAD oils on the UK market. Better to buy £20 oil and change it every six months than £40 oil and change it once a year.

I read this with trepidation but I was under the bonnet yesterday and it appears access to the rear of my light units is fairly open. There is not quite as much access to the LH unit due to the battery but even my big hands should get in. 1.4 16v petrol engine and projector headlights.

Thanks, guys. I will have a good check down behind the back of the block. I haven't noticed any residue anywhere else though I just gave things a cursory glance. I read the thread about the pre-heater (as I do all threads for the Fabia). Glad it it unlikely to be the water pump as once you factor in belts and water pump (no point in doing the pump without the belts), plus garage costs, it adds up to a pretty penny.

I checked my fluid levels today and the coolant level was just down below the minimum. I last checked it about 600 miles ago but I have to be honest, that was back in August. I don't think the 10°C drop in temperature would make that much of a difference. Obviously I will check it more regularly going on. Am I right in thinking the prime candidate is a leaking water pump? Is that driven off the auxiliary belt or the cam belt?

No. If the motor runs on demister then the resistor pack is faulty.

When my motor failed it was working one day and failed the next. I think when the resistor goes the fan will still run at full speed. It is only the lower speeds (when the resistor is in circuit) that is affected. If the Climatronic is calling for low speed you will get nothing but it runs on high speed when that is called for. Set Climatronic to Demist and see if it runs then.

Projector headlamp only has one bulb for main beam and dip.

It could just be the connector to the rear of the head unit. Does it work okay with CDs?

It sounds to me as if the fluid is returning through the master cylinder and into the reservoir. Have you looked at getting a replacement seal kit for the master cylinder? Or a third party cylinder? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173690659794?hash=item2870c523d2:g:fXsAAOSw9i9kBhm3&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABAAjjfUznLkbQcrx1y196TOs%2B46hrh%2FifOqYepEMiHrshoW36ZABGUB%2F0oBAPUMZ0QB9962jVdCVI4JN0rOzbYPtC7sEZXpJNeqngEYlobb1CsvLDQczxQzM7WLGhqnmV%2FMDL3ESYCtCBfnUHz6m5hZX9p5eNozmzIIpk6py5RmEBWxlonNf%2Fkaj6T5nBFw3ev5rgqgbUyo%2FSHjZL98xMf386eBQOA6%2BtOOqLm8%2FB7ECUw8OU8TCRRxTRFWZjINTzHBQV%2ByUfcpNFUAgMtLHHVotgQzA8bKXI9iXoAC4hTGJ8%2BQz9R%2FyeIEVJ97RIZmmbAEsfQG8yo8qT1czBrUvK7w8%3D|tkp%3ABFBMyIzZlYhj

Car was repaired today by my local garage. Part, fitting and VAT total was £70. I am delighted. According to the invoice it took them 21 minutes!