Picked up my new toy tonight- goodbye rev-happy VTEC, hello torque-monster TDi!

It's the 130bhp 1.9 TDi engine, L&K estate, comes with a lot in it. I love how easy-going this car is... so relaxing! The heated seats are an especially nice touch.

However, as with any used car, there are niggles...

1) The CD changer- when I press C/D on the stereo, nothing happens. At all. The CD changer is in the boot currently, and I'm assuming the magazine is in there... however... when I press the eject button, nothing happens. As if there's no power to the CD changer... hmmm.

2) Intermittent Xenon headlight- I say intermittent, it didn't work when I picked it up on the driver's side... then when I got closer to home, it started working. Bulb on the way out?

3) The passenger seat angle adjuster is missing- spares available? Guessing eBay is the way forward...

4) Passenger side sun visor is dropping- common problem? Easy fix?

Thanks... pics will be coming soon. Need to identify the colour!

1) could be caused by the rear washer pipe breaking its joint near to the CD changer. This is a common problem. Check under the changer for any dampness, also remove the loom plug for the changer and check that too. As you are on the sunny south coast I might be able to help you more (I have a spare changer). I guess you have the factory supplied HU fitted.

2) If a dealer/garage purchase get them to sort.....

3) Pass. Scrappy, if you are lucky.

4) Never heard of this, is it clipped in?

Welcome, by the way. Estate, or a hatch?

I always wanted a 130, but settled for the 110 as I do toooooo many miles :'(

I'm about to change to an Alpine head unit, so is it really worth the hassle? Guessing it's just a straight swap over- got royally stitched with my Civic when I wanted to change the head unit. Loads of lead adapters, fascia adaptor, cans open, worms everywhere... never again!

I was thinking about giving the dealer a right earful, but as there was pretty much no clutch on my car when I sold it, I think I may lie low for now... looked into D2S headlights and they're not exactly expensive, guessing it'll be pretty much an easy swapover too, like a regular headlight..?

I'll try eBay for the handle, not the end of the world- means people can't **** about with the seat, which is fine by me!

The sun visor is clipped in, but when you push it up it just... droops back down... like it's slightly sad about the world. Not massively, but it's annoying. I think this car had a very aggressive passenger before me.

'Tis an estate! Love the look of them, and love the space. I do like the hatch, but I'm a musician and a land surveyor so need a bit of practicality!

The 130 is a lovely engine... feels a bit restricted at the moment, but I plan on turning the wick up a bit and getting it slightly freer flowing... nothing bank breaking (because I'm cheap) but something for sure! How long have you had yours?! 190k is impressive!

Cheers for your reply. hopefully some pictures will be available today...

Hi,

I've had my L&K (hatch) PD130 for a little over 3 1/2 years now and it's great. What colour is your leather? I know someone breaking a 02 L&K Estate, not a member here.

To change bulbs, even sidelights, the whole headlight and indicator has to come out. I'd swap the left and right bulbs over to see if the problem swaps sides before buying new bulbs. Levelling motors is a common grumble too.

If you want to swap your head unit over, then IIRC you'll need to swap the permanent and switched live over, and also buy a power injector for the aerial.

Cheers,

Martin

If you change the head unit you might need to switch the +ve perm and ignition feeds around, and you will need a power injector for the aerial base. These can be picked up for a few quid from ebay.

I got my dealer to sort the clutch on my car when I bought it and a new master cylinder too

The headlight could be the ballast starting to fail - not sure on the cost, but I have a feeling they aren't cheap, well certainly not as cheap as a normal H4 bulb.

I have had my old girl since 2005, I think she should be good till at least 250k if not more. Other than service items I changed all the shocks, and rear beam bushes and have faffed about with the turbo.

It sounds like the sunvisor "clip bit" is missing part of itself. I think they have a piece of plastic and then a metal clip to hold it in place.

Where on the south coast are you? Estates are good, so practical.... and I love the false floor in the boot. L&K alloys look good too

Another recent VTEC --> Turbo L&K owner here. I thought I'd really miss the revs but I just love having the torque available without changing gear, guess I'm getting old. Mine's a 2003 1.8t and I'll be keeping it stock apart from:

I fitted this last weekend: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004JHY2Y0

Now I've never fitted a stereo without blowing fuses and generally making a mess of it but undeterred, I bought removal keys for the Symphony, an ISO adaptor and a Fakra aerial booster thing and went to work. Well the Kenwood came with keys that worked so I didn't need those. It also has an ISO lead in the box so I didn't need that neither (I DID have to swap the red and yellow leads, but they have in-line bullet connectors to make it easy). When I connected up the Fakra thing it sounded worse, so I threw that back in the garage with the rest of the gubbins too! Reception is very clear so maybe the stereo is taking care of that function.

So all I really did was push the fitting cage into the dash hole and bend some tabs to keep it there. Then connect the aerial, ISO, bluetooth mic and USB leads and wiggle the whole lot into the dash. No cutting wires or anything and I have the USB coming out in the storage bit below the stereo. There are gaps in the top of the storage bit that allowed this without cutting, which was nice.

The only tricky part about the install was getting the damn thing into the dash with all those wires coming out the back. I took out the climate control panel (4 star-screws), and reached up behind and shouted at it a bit, which worked a treat. The CD changer is now redundant, as I have a 32Gb USB attached and it'll also play via bluetooth from my phone if that's not enough. I've passed the mic through and attached it under the steering column for now, I might have to move it up but I like it invisible.

As for the sound, my car still has stock speakers and the new stereo just seems to highlight the lack of bass available. Between that and 4 ear-level tweeters it's pretty tinny. Some replacement woofers, a little sub under the passenger seat and disconnecting 2 tweeters are in my immediate future!

One last thing, the aerial in the car and on the Kenwood didn't connect, it was like female-to-female although the FAKRA thing would have made the connection if I'd used it. I had one of these hanging around that did the job anyway: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Aerial-Antenna-Adaptor-ISO-plug-DIN-plug-PC5-27-/160670262662?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2568b1a586

Good luck with yours, if you decide you need a new CD Changer there's a fully-working spare in my boot! I do remember that you need the ignition on to eject the cartridge though, so confirm you're doing that before getting carried away.

The only tricky part about the install was getting the damn thing into the dash with all those wires coming out the back. I took out the climate control panel (4 star-screws), and reached up behind and shouted at it a bit, which worked a treat. The CD changer is now redundant, as I have a 32Gb USB attached and it'll also play via bluetooth from my phone if that's not enough. I've passed the mic through and attached it under the steering column for now, I might have to move it up but I like it invisible.

I removed my glovebox as it allowed me to slip my hand in from the side, especially handy when I was fitting my Parrot the other weekend.

My mic is attached up by the centre lights, I threaded the cable along the roof lining and down the A frame (was a bit a of a PITA but looks good).

I removed my glovebox as it allowed me to slip my hand in from the side, especially handy when I was fitting my Parrot the other weekend.

Good idea, I did think about taking the GB out but couldn't be bothered to go in and start the computer to discover how it comes out! I'll take the laptop into the car with me next time, or maybe complete my research BEFORE I start the job

I know someone breaking a 02 L&K Estate, not a member here.

Do you know if they're selling the door cards? I'm a looking for some black leather ones for my 4x4.

Is the floor carpet same on hatch and estate if so does he have it and were is he located

Wow, wasn't expecting so many replies!

I took the family out tonight for the journey to a meal (anyone near the White Swan in Eastleigh, have a poke- awesome food and service). General comments were how comfortable it was, and how un-diesel like it was too! She handled her first commute admirably this morning... apart from me freaking out over her not starting... glow plugs, Samuel, glow plugs...

Martin- it's black leather. I do like the tan but it gets so bloody filthy, especially the carpets! They should have offered tan seats with black carpets, like Alfa Romeo do. Worrying about the headlight, but they seem to be fine for now. The levellers are perfect, I'm chalking it down to first-drive nerves on her part.

mbames- your guide section looks awesome! The weblink doesn't work though..? I'm based right near Southampton but do love a jaunt down to Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs, et al. How does the glovebox come out? Just squeeze the sides?

ExHondaMan- thank you for your very useful guide! I'll get my head unit in as soon as possible! Which Honda did you have? I had a pretty nice Civic Type S. Enough power, but bugger all torque and drank fuel like George Best post-liver transplant.

I am really loving this car at the moment... feels sad to say so, but it really is a very personable car, wasn't expecting so much personality from a car that's also a Leon, Golf, A3, Toledo, Bora... you get the picture. The joy of coming on-boost will never get old... although it nearly killed me when I forgot it was there and booted it round a wet roundabout! :wonder:

EDIT: Also- has anyone managed to get their steering wheel controls back in action?? I have a head unit that's steering wheel control ready, but don't know if it'll work straight off!

Edited 9 November, 201114 yr by VladSoilerOfCarpets

Well, yours is the second L&K in black leather I've ever heard of (after mine). I don't have steering wheel controls on mine, was that standard on the L&K? I think my wheel has been off before now because it doesn't line up properly.

The guy breaking the L&K I met via eBay, I bought some L&K wheels from him. Seems a nice genuine bloke. He's based in Rushden, Bedfordshire (or is it Northamptonshire?) The car he's breaking has the tan interior. (Sorry Simon!) His ebay username is anm666 but he has nothing listed on ebay at the moment. He did say to me that he's got a mate breaking Skodas too. I will check with him if it's ok to give his email address via PM to genuinely interested parties, or I guess you could contact via eBay.

Volvomeg, I can tell you that the layout of the estate floor and the hatch floor is not the same. I know because I tried to fit my rubber bootliner into SWMBOs Octy estate boot.

Well, yours is the second L&K in black leather I've ever heard of (after mine). I don't have steering wheel controls on mine, was that standard on the L&K? I think my wheel has been off before now because it doesn't line up properly.

High five! We're a rarity! I think it might be age-dependent, mine's a 2003 model..? It's after some kind of late-life revision, with the PD130 engine added to the line-up...

Well, yours is the second L&K in black leather I've ever heard of (after mine).

And mine.....

I'd say it was probably the best all rounder car I've ever had, certainly very easy to live with & drive, only thing disappoints a bit is the handling coming from faster sportier cars, it's a bit sloppy but safe. I'm sure it could be up-rated but I can't be bothered and a sack of cement in the boot works wonders if going for a hoon.

High five! We're a rarity! I think it might be age-dependent, mine's a 2003 model..? It's after some kind of late-life revision, with the PD130 engine added to the line-up...

Yes, I'm on a 53 plate... Must have been as a result of feedback to those tan/beige seats and horrid wood!

1) The CD changer- when I press C/D on the stereo, nothing happens. At all. The CD changer is in the boot currently, and I'm assuming the magazine is in there... however... when I press the eject button, nothing happens. As if there's no power to the CD changer... hmmm.

Try looking behind the CD changer, and checking that the washer pipe hasn't come off, and that the brown ground cable is connected properly. I can't remember if it is grounded in the boot or behind the headunit. My guess would be grounded in the boot as it would be cheaper to make it that way for Skoda.

Glovebox is easy to get out, two torx screws under the lip, accessible with the glovebox lid open and two more torx screws under the bottom near the hinges for the lid. You need to unplug the multiplug for the glovebox light as you slide the glovebox out.

Is that the White Swan in Mansbridge/West End?

My friend used to work there years ago...

Octavia Road is down the road

Is that the White Swan in Mansbridge/West End?

My friend used to work there years ago...

Octavia Road is down the road

That is the one! Hahaha I'll have to look out for that, I know there's a road in Bracknell simply called 'Octavia'... classics eh?!

Glovebox is easy to get out, two torx screws under the lip, accessible with the glovebox lid open and two more torx screws under the bottom near the hinges for the lid. You need to unplug the multiplug for the glovebox light as you slide the glovebox out.

Thank you!! Think my iPod will live in there. Can't believe I need Torx again after a year and a bit of Philips screwhead bliss.

ExHondaMan- thank you for your very useful guide! I'll get my head unit in as soon as possible! Which Honda did you have? I had a pretty nice Civic Type S. Enough power, but bugger all torque and drank fuel like George Best post-liver transplant.

Last great one was a 1992 Prelude VTEC Import with LSD box, which is something I do miss. Acceleration around corners was shockingly good in that car I can't see me doing 0-60 tests around a roundabout in the Octi though, as my driving style seems to change to match the character of the car.

Black leather for me too! I know the L&K are rare but it seems the black leather ones are rarer still

She handled her first commute admirably this morning... apart from me freaking out over her not starting... glow plugs, Samuel, glow plugs...

I jump in, turn ignition on, put seatbelt on & then start her up. Generally it only needs a second or two before she will start up.

mbames- your guide section looks awesome! The weblink doesn't work though..? I'm based right near Southampton but do love a jaunt down to Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs, et al. How does the glovebox come out? Just squeeze the sides?

My site is just a set of directories at the moment, I should try and sort it out really. Normally I just link the useful pictures when replying to thread on here. I am normally down in Weymouth

EDIT: Also- has anyone managed to get their steering wheel controls back in action?? I have a head unit that's steering wheel control ready, but don't know if it'll work straight off!

Not sure on that front, I am not blessed with a multi-function wheel.

Glovebox is easy to get out, two torx screws under the lip, accessible with the glovebox lid open and two more torx screws under the bottom near the hinges for the lid. You need to unplug the multiplug for the glovebox light as you slide the glovebox out.

2 screws underneath the box and three along the top lip (can be seen when the door is open.

And don't forget to plug the light connector back in when putting it back together

Edited 10 November, 201114 yr by mbames

I jump in, turn ignition on, put seatbelt on & then start her up. Generally it only needs a second or two before she will start up.

I find the PD130 will start easily enough pretty instantly unless it is very very cold, but it is kinder to just wait for the glowplug icon to go out if it's there! The only issue is if it's very cold and you give a warm weather short crank, then it can fail to start or rather alarmingly stall with an 'explosion' which is probably the flywheel slapping itself to death!

Edited 10 November, 201114 yr by Kandy

I find the PD130 will start easily enough pretty instantly unless it is very very cold, but it is kinder to just wait for the glowplug icon to go out if it's there! The only issue is if it's very cold and you give a warm weather short crank, then it can fail to start or rather alarmingly stall with an 'explosion' which is probably the flywheel slapping itself to death!

I think my glowplug light on my 110 only flashes on for a brief moment in time, apart from when it is very cold.

Mine takes a while to go out, but it varies. Overnight, it takes 4 seconds or so. After a run, it's almost instant.

Just about to attempt the stereo... here goes nothing!!

I'd agree, unless it's actually icey out, by the time you've got your seatbelt on, the glowplugs will have done all they need to.

Also, I actually prefer Torx heads to Philips or (not so)Pozidrive screwdrivers, because they give a much better non-slip. Well they do with my bit set, cos I use it with a quarter-drive socket set.