Robertminchin

Check where the brake fluid drips are going as I think it could attack paintwork leading to corrosion later. I'd be tempted to spoon out a bit of fluid so it does not drip any more. Bob

There are no connections to the transponder at all. It has no battery. It is a small sealed glass tube with an internal coil aerial. It has a unique identidy programmed at manufacture and sealed in for life. Every transponder contains a receiver, and processor and a transmitter. The car sends out a signal which is strong enough to power the circuitry. The car send a digital number to the transponder, the processor manipulates this number according to a secret* method (or algorithm) using it's identity as part of the process. The key then transmits this back to the car. meanwhile the car has

My 2 litre tdci Ghia Max is just three years old this week. I've had a few warranty resolved niggles and a couple of thing they say can't be fixed (airbag/pretensioner light staying on and intermittant auto headlights staying on in bright sunshine) but all in all I'm pleased with the car. Just got back from 3weeks/3000mile touring some of western Europe. France, Andorra & Spain. 51.2 MPG recorded overall in mixed driving motorways, dirt tracks, Pyrennean hairpin roads etc generally travelling around the speed limit. The car did not miss a beat. Pity I could not bring back some Adorra

Waste of Money or Insurance ? Who knows. Sadly Ford nor or any other manufacturere I know back their cam belt change interval by a warranty again consequential damage. So it is a gamble as far as I'm concerned. Bob

CMax belt change intervals came up in conversation during my MOT test today. They (independant service place) suggest the rated mileage or 5 years whichever is the sooner. Seems good advice to me. Bob

Are all your earth returns OK? You can get some novel effects if one is missing somewhere. Bob

Thanks, I'm just out of warranty so that would work out expensive for me so I think it will just have to be annointment with waxoyl for my max. Bob

I seem to recall that the diesels do indeed have an effective reserve of 2litres when the guage /warning light indicates empty. It then goes into limp-home mode as a further reminder to fill up. This is beacuse it is vital that the fuel pump does not operate 'dry' which will kill the pump. Bob

Hi Nosbod, What was the cost to you (Presumably 30% of the total) if you don't mind me asking? TIA Bob

Andy Bryant should be along in a bit. He's the man to know about this and a very helpful guy too. Bob

I seem to remember that switching the airbag off is and option (and possibly a dealer retrofit) The switch is fitted in the same location as the front parking sensor on/off switch. If you have this option then you can have the airbag disable. i don't know if it can be switched off via WDS. Any Techs lurking who know?? Bob

Get it independantly assessed. It could be a case of a write off if the body/floor pan is damaged. It could end up driving like a crab and eating tyres if only the cosmetic stuff is dealt with. RAC/AA should be able to provide such a service. Don't trust the dealer - they will have a conflict of interest. Good Luck Bob

Hi Keith, Yes you are totally correct. When you get your fob, open it up and you will see a glass tube inside about 3-4mm diameter and 20mm long approx usually nestling in a soft rubber holder. Pull this out and discard it. This remove any possible confusion when the car tries to read the transponder in your key with the new fob on the same keyring. Ford do implement a system to cope with multiple transponders in range but you might just as well help it to do a correct read. If there are reading problems, the dash display can be used to read the Diagnostic Codes. 9600 = B1600 = No key read

Yes, Doors and alarm are worked by the 443MHz radio unit in the 3 button fob. The 125kHz transponder in the fob works the imobiliser and additonally turns the alarm off if it is brought in range within the first few seconds after the door has been opened with the mechanical key Note that the programming instructions for the radio unit are in the owners manual for the car. Bob

I can't imagine Ford willingly programming a car to accept a third party key. Would you? If you buy on ebay and want the key to start the engine then you need the correct three batton fob that takes a CMAX blade and a blank blade which you will need to get cut to fit. Not all key cutters will be able to cut blade keys. A Tebbe key/fob is no good for the max. Search ebay completed items for prices and search this forum archives for prices of Ford dealer keys. This what the internet is for! Bob

Buy a three button fob on ebay for any modern ford. You can programme this to open the doors. You will still need your original key to start the car. I don't believe there is any option but to get extra keys programmed into the car by the dealer for as you say 'big bucks'. There is lots written in the forum about the problem but this is the way to go. Bob

Thanks for the hints & tips Doug Bob

And if the vehicle is programmed to do this. It appears that my max does not have the auto application of EPB enabled. I've tested this out overnight. All I get is a message on the dash saying something like 'Warning EPB not applied' Bob

It is not guaranteed that the EPB will co me on by itself. I think this is an option in the progamming by WDS. To test this, park up on a level surface (ideally off road). do not operate the EPB. Remove the key and leave for a few hours (to be sure). Return to the car and see if the EPB has come on by itself. Mine does not. In either case. I'm told that if you leave the key in the lock during pad change, the epb will not try to come on. Good Luck I have not done this job yet but do have the draper tool no 22349 ready for when I do. I'm told that this needs to be modified with the pin

Sorry to disagree but these days with Maxs and newer foci, key programming or more correctly 'vehicle education' about new keys is a dealer only job and a rip off to boot. Bob

Chris, You might find that silicone sealant dabs would be a good solution. You will need to hold the panel/trim in the correct position with tape or similar whilst the silicone cures but once set it will remain flexible and yet be able to be torn off if you need remove it later. Use clear silicone and it will adopt the local colour if there is some squeeze-out. Just a thought? Bob

I think trim is only covered for the first year. Replacement clips ought to be cheap. Bob

Hi Ian, I've not had this problem with my max (same model as yours). When I got mine, the first thing I did was to ask the local dealer to look up what recalls and updates it had had already and then get him to do what was missing. he should also be able to tell you if an revised EGR has been fitted. Poss not relevant but worth knowing anyway. If it is still under warranty, then this should be free as well as looking at your CC. There was an issue with flat spots just below 2000 rpm ISTR but I did not have this fault. Regards Bob

I guess you need to compare the £60 to what you can earn as a trader yourself in the time. As you say possibly a fair price but £70 for the pads sounds a bit strong. Try a phone call to your local factors to get a price to see if the garage were taking the pi**. I've yet to buy pads for my max so I don't know what the factor price is but looking on Fleabay they seem to be available for around £20 per axle. Bob

Andy, I've used both pads and shoes from Apec on other vehicles without problems. Perfectly reputable products often stocked by motor factors. Bob