Common Problems with the AU??

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by red_hotxr6

Well maybe you have just proved my point, as i have never had it happen to me, as i have had a few fords through my life time, but then i have never thrashed my fords, and all ways allow for a proper stopping distance, unlike some whom i have driven with and try to stop on the dot. Or maybe you have just been unlucky..

like i said it's nothing (or very rarely) to do with how it's driven, all it takes is running through a puddle with hot brakes, boom, done. I don't thrash my cars, the only one that has seen some heavy braking and mountain driving is my XR Turbo, and that's the only one that HASN'T warped.

[red_hotxr6]

hey, fair enough..not trying to disprove, actually i wondered about the water on the open brakes/rotors when i was washing the car.

[red_hotxr6]

Maybe it has to do with the brakes and the rotors being exposed as compared to the EL ghia,s having that shielding on them..

[red_hotxr6]

See here we go again, i have had my el ghia for 2 1/2 years, 280,000 and no problems there at all, and the rwc said the brakes were at 88% when i bought it and still have them on..could it be the weather, like i am in qld???

[red_hotxr6]

True could have been too..

[red_hotxr6]

from what i hear they are very good..and i will bear that in mind, get them checked any way..the rwc, didnt come up with that as a problem

[red_hotxr6]

Amazing what a little bit of persevering can do, and, you did it..lol/..

[witenden]

Gents, I have an AUII and the central locking failed...I replaced the failed gear assembly and it works fine...but... now the key won't lock or unlock the unit...any clues???
Paul.

[Wolfghost]

Originally Posted by witenden

Gents, I have an AUII and the central locking failed...I replaced the failed gear assembly and it works fine...but... now the key won't lock or unlock the unit...any clues???
Paul.

Did you replace the actuators and key barrel lock assembly

[witenden]

Originally Posted by Wolfghost

Did you replace the actuators and key barrel lock assembly

I replaced the white plastic gear in the actuator only, when the remote actuates the lock it holds out the mechanism for the key and the push down button on the door.

[Silver']

sounds like the link rod that comes off the lock barrel was removed but not refitted?? If the key turns in the lock then that's it - if it doesn't turn then it was maybe refitted incorrectly. (Probably should be on it's own thread this question)

[witenden]

Originally Posted by SilverT2TE50

sounds like the link rod that comes off the lock barrel was removed but not refitted?? If the key turns in the lock then that's it - if it doesn't turn then it was maybe refitted incorrectly. (Probably should be on it's own thread this question)

Thanks bloke, but the rods are connected and work if I fudge it. How do I make this as it own thread?

[TRAU BLAU]

Just booked in for a Cat.Back exhaust system to be fitted.I've been quoted $420,$395 & I'm getting it done for $340.Which includes the 2 lengths;1/with small box & big box & 2nd with small box.With the rusted out holes that have made it sound like a V8 it's been losing power & fuel economy.Hopefully they will improve with new system.

[Cheese3]

Anyone have had problems with heater valves? mine is leaking from it but not sure if the valve is cracked or the hose is worn. Will check later tonight.

[Maka]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

Anyone have had problems with heater valves? mine is leaking from it but not sure if the valve is cracked or the hose is worn. Will check later tonight.

Check to see if your heater is working, if not its the tap & if it is, the pipe needs replacing.

cheers, Maka

[Maka]

Originally Posted by Maka

Check to see if your heater is working, if not its the tap & if it is, the pipe needs replacing.

cheers, Maka

I'll add that if its cracked it'll still heat but leak so as soon as you suss it out you'll know what the go is, i'm going heater tap failure of some sort!

cheers, Maka

[Silver']

Originally Posted by Cheese3

Anyone have had problems with heater valves? mine is leaking from it but not sure if the valve is cracked or the hose is worn. Will check later tonight.

Mine cracked a few years ago and it went from a tiny leak to a huge one just by touching it. It was one of a few cooling system components that leaked when the engine was running hot due to retarded ignition timing (15% due to a slipped harmonic balancer).

[TRAU BLAU]

My AU Wagon hasn't got any leaks now after fixing them.New exhaust($352 with 2 new rubbers),battery,rego paid.I'll get 2 new tyres on the back then the front.But if I keep to the speed limit & watch out for red-light cameras etc.It's all cool cruising in this beaut.weather that's just starting.

[fordfalconed]

Gidday lads,

Was losing coolant slowly on my 230K AU S3 Sedan Petrol then swapped with new oem reservoir cap and leaking has gone.

Thought it might be hairline crack on radiator or hoses but coolant fluid level stays constant when totally cool and no need for topping it off.

[dopeydazza]

Sad to stay I found some rust behind tail lights, holes into boot space.
Not sure if connected, but globe holder for right rear tail lights was also snapped off, wondering if holder rubbef / vibrated into rust hole edges.

[rosefisted]

Airbag error code "33" (in non passenger airbag Forte). Fixed by replacing original 3 Ohm resistor with a 10 Ohm unit.

Rear LHS passenger seatbelt retractor not working. Fixed with silicon spray.

Front power windows biding/sticking. Fixed with silicon spray.

Brake light switch failure. Fixed with replacement Tridon switch from SuperCheap.

[mcfly94]

stuffed solenoid, but those vary in price from about $80 each i think is the cheapest up to about $240
Have you serviced it yet?, you should service it so you can inspect the oil condition, and if anything is in there like bits of the clutch packs etc...and metal
A scan will reveal if you have a faulty solenoid.
The neutral safety switch is also known to cause a bit of havoc in the btr's

[Professor Farnsworth]

yeah pulling apart the AU window buttons is par for the course, i did all mine a year or so ago and it fixed them for the most part - also replacement buttons aren't that expensive at the wrecker

[Professor Farnsworth]

nope, lasted through all series

if it aint not broke, don't fix it :P

[Professor Farnsworth]

the problem is not with the drivers, it's a design flaw - i've owned 13 Falcons and they have all warped, except for the one i have now but it only has 12,700KM on it at the moment so give it time. Also has bigger brakes than any of the others being a Turbo so i'll wait and see. My AUs brakes are warped and are terrible from high speed braking situations.

[red_hotxr6]

Got my report/rwc today and
rear tyres are miss matched
boot lid no strut
rear brake lights dont work....had that done immediately..$30..
headlights are blue..not legal.
tint is coming off 1 window
passenger side power windows do not work
park lights do not work
rotors need machining
lh number plate light no workee
rear stubaxle rubbers perished
no horn......
jax quick fit are doing the rotors and tyres for me tomorrow...

[Professor Farnsworth]

yeah all good just sharing my experience ;)

my dads BA XT (manual) had the rotors machined three times in 110,000KM and to give you an idea how he drives, he was still on the original pads at that odometer reading.

[Professor Farnsworth]

i had three EL Ghias, they all had warped brakes with the splash guards still on

my AU had them too, but the wheels are more open on mine so not the same really

my FG only had them on the back due to the front rotor size from memory

[Professor Farnsworth]

i think you're just exceedingly lucky - but the rotors may have been changed on on your EL before you bought it

[Professor Farnsworth]

either way, AUs are great cars so you should have minimal issues - if it has IRS and you have a knock in the rear it may need upper shock mounts, they're notorious in AUs with IRS too