Cd Player Does Not Work And Other Things

February 10, 2006

I have a 2003/52 (last of old shape) Avensis 1.8 VVTi 5 Door.

I recently bought the car from BCA (British Car Auctions), it was 1 owner, FSH, 40,000 miles in lucerne Silver. I am happy with the car, but I have some questions as I have some niggly issues:

1. The clutch is moderately stiff (compared to my 2001/51 Honda Civic) - is this true of all Avensis?

2. The CD player does not work! I put in a CD into the dashmount player, it flashes CD 1 in the

display which tells you the mpg, but I do not get played any tracks from the CD. Radio is fine.

So is the multi-function controls on steering wheel.

3. The car sometimes has a slight (v.minor) wobble when hard accelerating in 2nd gear (or 3rd) from

30mph to around 50mph. Is this normal?

4. I have been reading the forums and I am sh*t scared of the 1.8 engine failures - is mine a faulty

batch? How do I tell if my car is burning oil? Do i just keep an eye on the oil dipstick?

I do around 20,000 miles pa, so I need some advice.

5. Wheels - the steel wheels and wheelcaps do the car no justice (neither do the black wing mirrors

and door handles), so does anyone recommend a cheap upgrade - i.e. alloys and tyre configuration?

If someone could answer each question in turn then that would be great.

S

February 10, 2006

Slight wobble at 30-50?

Could it just be wheel balancing? Sounds just like a problem on my old car, no wobble at some speeds but at a band of speeds it would shake. Either balancing or a loose wheel nut perhaps?

Burning oil?

I think your model *isn't* in the "blacklisted" range. But I think someone on the forums has access to the list. Can't remember who right now though. Been a long day! ;) but certainly keep an eye on your dipstick.

Wheels?

Hah! Join the club. I've got an 05 Colour Collection and would love a set of alloys but the missus is saying no! ;) I just keep an eye on eBay. Offset et35-et45, PCD 5x100mm, Centre Bore 54.1mm. Someone over the road from me has an 03 with a set of standard alloys in a shocking state. I should offer to swap my steels for them! ;)

As for the CD and the clutch... I can't really say. The clutch in mine is spot on but it's only done 1500ml!

EDIT:Just a thought... Does the car have a multichanger? Just wondering what with it saying "CD1"

Cheers,

Jim

February 11, 2006

My CD player was behaving exactly like yours, luckily I had it replaced under warranty. Sounds like its up the creek to me. I think quite a few have gone that way too.

February 12, 2006

My car was a Jan 2003 so it is just a few weeks out of warranty - do you think my local dealer with give me a "good will" of doing it under warranty?

February 12, 2006

My car was a Jan 2003 so it is just a few weeks out of warranty - do you think my local dealer with give me a "good will" of doing it under warranty?

Definitely worth a try I reckon, just get down there ASAP. Before you do, it might be worth running a good CD lens cleaner disc through it just in case its dirty in there. Although I doubt it but you never know.

February 24, 2006

My car was a Jan 2003 so it is just a few weeks out of warranty - do you think my local dealer with give me a "good will" of doing it under warranty?
Definitely worth a try I reckon, just get down there ASAP. Before you do, it might be worth running a good CD lens cleaner disc through it just in case its dirty in there. Although I doubt it but you never know.

I went to my local main dealer, very helpful, very impressed with the waiting area which included play stations, TVs, all sorts of gadgets, and it transpired that my CD was in a "funny" format - I tested it at home and it still would not play on a normal CD player - so thanks for your guys help! I tried a normal CD (audio), and it works fine. So I was a bit embarassed, but glad all is now OK.