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Something's wrong
Won't start, or starts then cuts out
- Flat battery: finding a drain and testing the charging system
- Immobiliser: the engine starts, then cuts out after a couple of seconds
- P1512 fault code and a car that won’t start
- The yellow starter inhibit relay (K14): failure, replacements and workarounds
- Fuel pump not priming: what to check before you replace the pump
- Jump starting, bump starting and battery chargers
- Supercharged car: relay K18 earth fault and part-throttle misfire (case study)
A warning light is on, or you want to read a fault code
Runs rough, misfires, hesitates or cuts power
- Misfire under boost: plugs, coils and sensors
- Coil pack: faults, testing and replacing
- Spark plug replacement
- Turbo MAF sensor faults: symptoms, tests and cleaning
- MAP, boost and lambda sensor faults
- Loom of doom: throttle cut-outs, limp mode and the connectors to check
- Fuel starvation on track: power cuts on a long corner with a low tank
Boost is low, flat or surging (Turbo and supercharged)
Running hot, losing coolant or white smoke
Oil leaking, or oil where it shouldn't be
Brake pedal hard, soft or the brakes feel wrong
Knock, clonk, rattle or vibration
Steering, handling or tyre wear problems
- Track rod ends and rear tie rods
- Wheel alignment (geometry) settings
- Steering rack replacement (with a DIY tracking check)
- Suspension refresh: what to replace and what it costs
- Wishbone ball joints and bushes
- Wheel arches: liners, rusted fixings, tyre rubbing and extensions
- Road tyres: standard sizes, the 175 front problem and what owners fit
Gear change or clutch problems
Water getting in, or the roof sagging
Something electrical has stopped working
- Flat battery: finding a drain and testing the charging system
- Relays and fuses (NA)
- Central locking faults: won’t lock, won’t unlock, or locked out
- Light switch faults: cleaning, replacing and the dead warning lights
- Rear light bulbs: tail light out, melted holders and blowing bulbs
- Wiper motor failure: water in the motor, cleaning it, and replacements
- Indicator flasher relay (K31): where it is, and fixing fast flashing with LED bulbs
Smell of fuel
I want to do a job
Service the car
Change brake pads, discs or calipers
Refresh or upgrade the suspension
- Suspension refresh: what to replace and what it costs
- Shock absorber and spring removal and replacement
- Shock absorber choice: refurbishing, replacing or upgrading
- Adjustable shocks: fitting (Gaz Gold coilovers)
- Anti-roll bars: choosing uprated, adjustable and rear bars
- Front wishbone removal: access tips
- Wheel alignment (geometry) settings
Change wheels or tyres
Look after or replace the soft top or hard top
Take body panels off
Lighting, bulbs and headlamps
Interior: seats, door panels, dash, heater
Upgrade the exhaust
Add power: supercharger, turbo or cams
- Is supercharging an NA worth it? Road and track experience
- Supercharging an NA: what you need, what it costs and where it comes from
- Eaton M62 supercharger: fitting to a Z22SE (NA)
- Turbo stage 1 and 2: what owners did, got and paid (2013)
- Camshaft upgrades: what owners fitted on the NA and Turbo
- Intercooler or charge cooler for a Turbo: what owners measured and chose