[swarnava.m]

Each time I go under the central console, I spot this, but have never bothered to find out about it. This port exists right under the central console, directly beneath the cigarette lighter. I am sure all Alto owner's have seen this. Can anyone please tell me exactly what this is?



Also, can anyone also tell me where is the OBD port in the Alto? By any chance, is it the one in the pic?

[RM2488]

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

Also, can anyone also tell me where is the OBD port in the Alto? By any chance, is it the one in the pic?

It is the same indeed.

[swarnava.m]

Update to my post #347. I tanked up last week, and the FE returned was 14.32, which is completely normal as per my past experiences. Hence, I guess I shall continue to stick to the auto cut-off method henceforth.

[swarnava.m]

Yesterday when I tried to change the AC mode to defrost mode to clear the fogged front windshield, I found the slider extremely hard going from left to right. It took a lot of effort to shift it to the defrost mode, but when it did, the defrost mode works fine. Same occurence while shifting it back to the left as well. It seems to jam up somewhere along the middle, and then takes a lot of effort to continue moving it. I tried this a couple of times to check if it was only a one-off thing. Unfortunately, it is not.

Also, a loud 'thud' noise comes from within the panel when the movement is made with the extra force. I have not been using the control since then, fearing more damage.

What may be the issue? Is it something I can solve it on my own or should I take it to MASS?

[audioholic]

If you can access the rear of the AC panel, you can check out the recirc flap ajd ensure it is not jamming in between. You can also spray WD40 or zorrik into the recirc slider gap. Usually it requires lubrication, or a foreign object has sat in the path of the flap.

[swarnava.m]

Originally Posted by audioholic

If you can access the rear of the AC panel, you can check out the recirc flap ajd ensure it is not jamming in between. You can also spray WD40 or zorrik into the recirc slider gap. Usually it requires lubrication, or a foreign object has sat in the path of the flap.

Thanks, but I am talking about the other slider, to the left of the recirc slider. The one that chooses where the air comes from: vents at the top, at your legs, at both, or at the front windscreen. Would the above mentioned steps apply to that as well? Just clarifying..

[gpa]

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

Thanks, but I am talking about the other slider, to the left of the recirc slider. The one that chooses where the air comes from. Would the above mentioned steps apply to that as well? Just clarifying..

Yes, above steps would apply. Just be careful not to exert too much pressure on this as the plastic knob that holds the wire that enables the switch to be turned can crack.

My suggestion would be to disconnect the wire and turn the assembly by hand to see if there is anything snagging the internal flaps and then proceed to see if the cable connecting the assembly is snagged.

[KkVaidya]

After crashing the front of my alto, the headlights have become mis-Aligned. Can anyone guide me on how to adjust the focus of the headlights?

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

After crashing the front of my alto, the headlights have become mis-Aligned. Can anyone guide me on how to adjust the focus of the headlights?

The headlight assembly will be mounted on three screws, which are also used for minor alignment. If the headlights are out by a large amount, you may have to go to a denter and get the base where the lights are mounted aligned.

To check alignment -

- Park the car on a flat surface with front touching a wall.
- Switch the main beam on and mark the light centre on the wall for both the beams
- Reverse the car some 3 meters from the wall.
- Check the beam centre on the wall
- Adjust till the centre hits the marks
- If possible reverse further and check where the beam hits the wall. If the surface is flat then you should hit the same spot

Alternatively go to a straight lonely road when it is dusty. Switch the high beams on, their trajectory will be visible in the dusty environment. Adjust the beams till you get them parallel to the ground. Sit in the car and check how much they depress. If necessary adjust the beams upwards to compensate for the dip.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by Gansan

Aroy, I think you were right after all! I completed the 3rd year service a couple of days ago. The service supervisor told me to fill fuel a couple of times more and observe the gauge before we touch the fuel tank, since this has happened for the first time. I agreed.

The trip meter was at 309 KM and the gauge was slightly above half tank mark when I went to Shell today. I filled super unleaded till the brim, the car took in 15.780 litres, and would take no more. The mileage was a fantastic 19.58 KMPL! This is very close to my usual highway mileage of ~ 21 KMPL. No idea how this happened. Perhaps I drove mostly during traffic free hours which almost replicated highway conditions! So the gauge showing half tank was right after all!

Then I set the trip meter to zero, went for a 50 KM "Gansan patented mileage test" on the Bangalore highway (which I routinely do after every service) and went back to Shell for a top-up. The result was 25+ KMPL, as always!

Anyway I will observe it for a couple of more refills during a planned highway trip before deciding whether the gauge needs attention.

I took the car to MSM to attend the fuel gauge. During my highway trip to Pondicherry and back, the indicator moved just a fraction below full. But when I topped up upon return, car took in nearly 15 litres. The I observed it during city usage. For 200 KM it hardly budged from full, then gradually started moving down. After 355 KM on the odo, it was almost half way. This had never happened before. I was getting uneasy that I may get stranded somewhere at some point. Because from my experience, though the highway mileage was never below 21, the city mileage could vary from 12 to 17 and one could never predict it.

They first checked the meter and it was found to be ok. Earthing was also ok. So the tank was taken down and the float unit opened. I peered inside the opening and saw that the tank was nearly half full!

The technician said things seemed to be ok, but the sensor unit may be acting up. He asked whether it can be replaced. Having opened so much, I did not want to take a chance and told him to go ahead, so they replaced it. After this, the gauge now shows a couple of notches below half mark.

The total bill was Rs 1380.00.

But while working, they stupidly kept the removed sending unit on the back seat, so now the cabin reeks of petrol. Have to live with iot for a few days, it seems.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by Aroy

To check alignment -

- Park the car on a flat surface with front touching a wall.
....
If necessary adjust the beams upwards to compensate for the dip.

In what position should the hand control be when doing all this?

Regards
Sutripta

[The Consultant]

Dear Members- I would like to post on the issue of 'timing belt' in Alto. My Alto Lxi/2004 has run over 96000 kms, and had visited the Maruti Service Master's in Delhi for the regular service. i am told the 'timing belt' (cost: 4.5K) needs to be changed. Apparently, the advisor just looked and explained it is leaking and hence needs to be changed. I am not very well versed with the mechanics of an automobile. Hence, would like to seek your advice (members) on the issue & cost for the same. Perhaps, you could help me ask appropriate questions to the problem in hand.

Thank you.

[im_srini]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

After crashing the front of my alto, the headlights have become misaligned.
Can anyone guide me on how to adjust the focus of the headlights?

Hope this helps...

The headlight itself:



Aiming procedure:

Originally Posted by The Consultant

My Alto Lxi/2004 has run over 96000 kms, and had visited the Maruti Service Master's in Delhi for the regular service. i am told the 'timing belt' (cost: 4.5K) needs to be changed.

At 96K, your Alto's timing belt is indeed due for a change.

Part number for the belt is 12761N84410 & costs around Rs.860.

[travelwriter]

Hi all,

I noticed a problem in my Alto last evening. While driving back home, a person on the road pointed out that sparks were coming out of the grille in the front. I stopped the car immediately and that person showed me the exact place. Thankfully, I was parked just outside a car garage and that person was kind enough to get hold of a mechanic for me.

The mechanic opened the bonnet and when I swtiched the engine on, sparks were coming out of, what the mechanic said, the alternator. The sparks were coming out of top right section of the engine bay close to the corner.

He then said that the Alternator will have to be changed.

Now I did not feel any change while driving back all the way (yesterday's drive was a 2-hour long one).
I did not smell smoke.
I did use the AC but when the sparks were seen by the passer-by, the AC had long been switched off.
The temperature needle was at mid point.

Now, I told the mechanic that I was closer to home and since it was close to 9 in the evening, could he do something that could just get me home. He insisted that nothing could be done and I would have to leave my car at his garage.

Then, I told him that I had forgotten my purse and mobile at office and that I could not do anything anyway. It was then that he put his hand under the Alternator section and gave it a light whack. The sparks stopped and the vehicle was moving fine.

He also suggested that I should disconnect the battery and drive the car without headlights or AC.

This morning I drove the car to office and kept a check on the temp guage and looked out for smoke. Did not find anything amiss.

Can someone guide me on what could the issue be? Is it serious? Is the Alternator indeed beyond repair? I am asking this also because I smelt something fishy. A passer by seeing sparks, coincidentally a garage right where I stopped, coincidentally finding a mechanic at 9pm and then that guy saying it was a Rs.4000 job.

Please help with advice and if I should go to the service centre this weekend.

My Alto has done 33800 kms and is nearly 4 years old.

Travelwriter

[Gansan]

^^A scam, without doubt. Take the car to your A.S.S. and let them check it. I don't think anything will be wrong.