Marc's X7, C3 Aircross, Rants, Raves & Everything Else

[Hell Razor5543]

I don't known when/if the rules changed, but I do recall having to replace the rear number plate on my Xantia (as it was delaminating, and had been advised on the MoT). I did not need to send off any form of proof, but the plates did have to confirm to the DVLA layout requirements. I paid something like £33 (including P&P) from an Irish company for front and rear plates. They arrived within the week, and were nicely made. I just did a search through my emails, and have found the details of the supplier;

http://www.platesforcars.co.uk/designer ... tAodWmkAZg

I was satisfied with the service they provided.

[xantia_v6]

I think the rules on supplier-id on the plates changed in 2008, so for any vehicle first registered before then, it is possible to legally have plates without a supplier id. For later vehicles, it is not legal, but I am not sure that it is a MOT failure.

[Michel]

I'll see if I can find who I got mine from for the Focus (and the BMW, and the Berlingo) within the last 18 months. All came from the same place, none required me to send anything off. It was done online, I think they class them as "show plates" to get around that requirement

[EDC5]

From what I've read the plate manufacturer needs to see original docs to produce a legal numberplate. Anybody making the plates without proof of car ownership will in face be making 'show plates'.

[GiveMeABreak]

That’s correct. I’m going ahead anyway as the plate will be identical ( but better made than a Halfrauds one). I’ve seen loads of cars recently, the latest yesterday that had illegal spacing to make it look like a word. That to me is worse that getting a legally ‘identical legit spaced looking’ plate.

[Michel]

That’s correct. I’m going ahead anyway as the plate will be identical ( but better made than a Halfrauds one). I’ve seen loads of cars recently, the latest yesterday that had illegal spacing to make it look like a word. That to me is worse that getting a legally ‘identical legit spaced looking’ plate.

I suspect you'd *really* have to p**s off a Police person to have them nick you for having a legally spaced, legit looking plate that didn't have the maker's postcode on it.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think they still put their name and postcode on Mike, it’s probably that they’re just not registered as a legal plate supplier as they don’t ask for docs. And yes, I would hope we pay the police to do more important things than hassle motorists for this sort of thing when people are being mugged, robbed and shot.

Of course I would have to encourage anyone to do the legal thing, but DVLA do not make information clear, and do not provide an easy way of checking suppliers. They only offer the nearest approved plate maker to a postcode you enter, which is useless to me. If they cannot provide accessible information, cannot guarantee safety and security of documentation sent to their ‘approved’ suppliers, then they have to expect to be challenged and for individuals to take their own precautions.

One of the acceptable sources is a bank statement! I mean really? Which sane person is going to send a bank statement with your account and sort code data and personal info off to anyone? Expect to be paying for somebody else’s gas or electricity anytime soon

I really think the DVLA are not compliant with GDPR by putting people at risk of fraud and identity theft by insisting these originals are required to be sent off and therefore can swing for it.

[GiveMeABreak]

On another note entirely, I will be experiencing the joys of putting up a garden seat hammock swing for my sister this weekend.

All arrived yesterday and expecting the worst powder coated rubbish from China. But.... was pleasantly surprised when checking off all the bits were there that is was made in Italy!

The steel tubing was really heavy and had a polished smooth metal painted coating, so very impressed with the quality. Have managed to get it all into the X7 saloon with the rear seats folded down.

The fun part begins when assembling it in this weather though as it is a surprise early Christmas present, so I have to get it transported and assembled in a day before they come back from an air show.

I will be packing the anti-stress pills along with the spanner’s and fittings I doubt.

[Gibbo2286]

I think they still put their name and postcode on Mike, it’s probably that they’re just not registered as a legal plate supplier as they don’t ask for docs. And yes, I would hope we pay the police to do more important things than hassle motorists for this sort of thing when people are being mugged, robbed and shot.

Of course I would have to encourage anyone to do the legal thing, but DVLA do not make information clear, and do not provide an easy way of checking suppliers. They only offer the nearest approved plate maker to a postcode you enter, which is useless to me. If they cannot provide accessible information, cannot guarantee safety and security of documentation sent to their ‘approved’ suppliers, then they have to expect to be challenged and for individuals to take their own precautions.

One of the acceptable sources is a bank statement! I mean really? Which sane person is going to send a bank statement with your account and sort code data and personal info off to anyone? Expect to be paying for somebody else’s gas or electricity anytime soon

I really think the DVLA are not compliant with GDPR by putting people at risk of fraud and identity theft by insisting these originals are required to be sent off and therefore can swing for it.

Have you never paid by cheque Marc? All that info, except your address, is on the front of every cheque you ever wrote, and includes your signature.

[GiveMeABreak]

No, I’ve never written a cheque since about 2005, Gibbo shortly after chip and pin was introduced and never will again. I’m a bit paranoid about security and privacy, and am one of those who will rip off an address label and cross-shred unwanted receipts before recycling

[GiveMeABreak]

Right today was another pig of a day.

The C3 Alarm has been going off randomly over the last week. I out it down to the hot weather - so fired up the mobile HAL 9000 for a quick diagnostic and nothing.
So decided to disable the alarm temporarily so we could all get some sleep. after having to leave it unlocked for a few days to stop it going off.
I managed to locate it and told it the Alarm ECU was not there, but that didn't work and sure enough 3:00AM in the morning I scampered out near enough in my birthday suit to unlock the bloody thing.

I though it odd that the alarm lights on the dash were still flashing, so off we went yesterday again to double check the parameters - and I also found that I had to go into the BSI and remove it twice before it would save. Talk about twitchy!

Finally last night no alarm lights flashing when locked, so I knew then it was disabled. Now here's the interesting part - took it for a drive to make sure everything else was working and what do we get but the door open warning telling me the bonnet is open

So I stopped and checked - locked tight - opened and closed it, but still the warning. We never had this before at all. So back home tools out and had a good nosey about the lock suspecting the bonnet alarm sensor. The whole area was covered in grease, so I'm wondering if the sensor nipple has been contaminated.

So what is interesting is that it takes the alarm to fail and be disables before I get a warning about the bonnet being open.....

So looking to try and find how this little sod comes off. Thankfully the sensor runs from the bonnet catch mechanism, along the top of the radiator area and connects to a plug that goes to the ECU inside the car. The thing is held on by 2 industrial strength clips that were a git to come off and then a plug type clip that holds it to the chassis without being able to get underneath to get at it - so brute force prevailed and got the thing out with only minor blood and bones exposed.

I did have to take the bonnet catch off to get the sensor off as that clips on and once removed, has gone all feeble and weak - so it is going to have to be replaced.

So now the shock and awe bit:

Checking for the part 633943 - Citroen want £58 for it! Basically for 2 lengths of electrical wire, plug and a simple filament sensor! This must be one of the classic overpricing examples I have ever seen (apart from my steering rack of course).

Now for the second really annoying thing - I had a squiz on ebay last night and chap had one for sale (genuine) for £30 odd quid - but this morning went to order it but the little blighter had gone - so if you are one of those people out there who bought it - I was there first

So I have just spent the afternoon taking it off and here is the £60 worth of hi tech wizardry:

So the search goes on for a replacement as there really is no way to open the sensor and clean it up.

[GiveMeABreak]

I just plonked those cables down to photograph and just noticed that they very much look like the Greek symbols for 'Alpha' and 'Omega' - which just about sums it up!

[white exec]

Marc, do you have the option of killing the interior volumetric sensors (if you have them), and leaving perimeter protection operational? I know it's a different system, but XM vol sensors could trigger falsely and easily in hot weather, even without a stowaway fly. OE includes a vol sensor defeat switch.

PS. Isn't that little rectangular box with the small plunger sticking out just a push-switch? I have exactly the same on each of the two XM bonnet catches.

[Gibbo2286]

Your talk of alarms Marc reminded me of this sitting on my shelf, it's new and Citroen but I don't know for what.

If anyone knows and wants it for a spare it's free gratis.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think that one is for early C5s / 206 and Berlingo Gibbo. I think my ECU is ok but that bonnet sensor of mine is definitely dodgy.