2004 Vectra 2.2DTI

[Gazza1]

Hi all,

I was hoping that you might be able to help me with my troublesome Vetcra?

1, I have just found out that I should have a dashboard repeater for the indicators whilst I am towing with my Vectra, it should be a little towbar symbol in the bottom right corner of the dashboard (according to the owners manual), Only mine does not illuminate!?!?!, the car has got its own bulb failure warning system, does this override the need for the repeater?

2) Whilst towing, but not all of the time, the car often goes into Safe mode, as Vauxhall call it (total loss of power) and has always been diagnosed as problems with the vacuum system for the turbo, anyone else any experience of this phenomenon?

4) I also have a fault with the N/S front indicator which intermittently illuminates on its own but does not flash, the bulb failure light comes on the dash. The fault does not accur if the side/main lights are on. The car has been back to the main dealer countless times but cannot fix the fault. I have disconnected all the towbar electrics in the hope that would cure it but sadly no. Has anyone else heard of the problem?

Get rid of the car I hear you all say, hence my next question.

5) Is the new shape Vectra 1.9CDTI (150Ps) going to be any better than what we already have, I have lost a lot of faith in Vauxhall?

Thanks for reading, any help is most appreciated.

Gazza

 

[RichardS1]

Gazza, sorry I cannot give you any answers but my brother in law has a 2003 and suffers from the same problem as you that the car goes into safe mode with loss of power when towing. He has had it back to the dealers on several occasions and they cannot locate the fault.

 

[DavidW1]

Had an X reg vectra (old shape) and the problem with the repeater was that there was no bulb fitted, apparently they dont fit them on the line. I fitted a bleeper.

On the bulb failure system, the failure computer should be bypassed - it is behind the glove compartment and you can make up a link very simply with a wire and two lucar connectors.

On the indicator - try replacing the bulb you may have a dry joint or a tired bulb.

I don't have a magic answer for the safe mode problem but as it occurs only ocasionally it may be overheating while towing, which is a more common problem than you would think - a thorough check of your cooling system could fix the problem. Coolant should be to correct spec and level, the radiator should be in good condition and unblocked, the cooling fan should be OK and coming on at the right temperature, the thermostat should be working correctly (slugish or stuck closed and you will definately overheat)and the sender should be working correctly.

You don't say wether you have an Auto but if so give consideration to the condition and level of the ATF. Autos use the engine radiator as a cooler and problems in this area can adversly affect the engine coolant temperature.

If it is a steptronic use the manual shift to lower the gears when climbing as this also helps cooling.

If it is a manual same rules apply - get into lower gears early on climbs.

If you see temp guage climbing past the mid position - put the heating to hot and open the window.

Don't despair and vist the owners club web at Vectra.com they are a friendly bunch and there are some very helpful people on there.

 

[Iain]

Well if you have reliablility worries I maybe wouldn't go for the 150 CDTi unit! I have an Astra 150CDTi SRi Estate. Although it is a fine towcar it did implode itself when just over one year old. The fuel pump broke up and bits went through the fuel system, causing

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

i too had a 2.2dti vectra 02 new shape with the same engine problems as you[usually under load.i.e towing].it went back to the garage numerous times for various mods,re mapping the ecu and finally a new turbo and inlet manifold but unfortunately none of this worked.we decided to sell it in the end but did get a little compo from the dealer.vauxhall know there is a problem and cannot sort it out.

we then bought a 2.2 petrol vectra.reliable but thirsty{18 mpg towing]

now we have a 1.9cdti 150 vectra{you think i would have learnt by now]10 000 miles and 1 year trouble free motoring and then 3 weeks ago while towing,guess what,problems.

a new inlet thingy fitted and seems ok again.after quizing the mechanic this is another common fault so when my warranty runs out next july we will be parting company.never again.

with regard your warning light not flashing,i presume your towbar was'nt fitted by vauxhall as they use a plug in relay where as a witter fitter[for example] use a non vauxhall relay which probably has a buzzer instead.

i wish you luck and hope vauxhall now have a remedy for it

good luck

dave

 

[Royston]

Hi Gazza,

Sorry to hear of your problems,I have a 51 plate vectra estate with a 2.2 dti engine.

Last of the old shape with a different engine manufacturer

to the later models which are fitted with Fiat diesels.

Last year I started to experience the engine going into safe mode,First time i was not sure what had happened as it was like suddenly being hit by a sudden head on wind ,Pulling straight into a lay bye switched the engine off then restarted everything was as normal.

Second time it happened i noticed the warning light on the dashboard, quick trip to the garage the mechanics reset the computer .Now at this time tescos was having problems with its contaminated fuels.Our local store has had several problems

laterly with water contamination.

I used this store nearly all the time,when they reset the engine computer, i went round to our local esso garage filled up and todate have never had any more problems.

 

[Gazza1]

Thanks to you all for your help.

I called vauxhall again today, apparently they need to program the ECU to allow the car to recognise the towbar electrics? Its non a standard towbar but the trailer module is genuine Vauxhall, it dont bleep though.

 

[Terry_5112949]

www.vvoc.co.uk Vectra owners club, lots of info there ask a question and you are sure to get amswers. www.vectra-sport.com ois another site

 

[Terry_5112949]

Sorry first one should be www.vvoc.com Vauxhall Vectra Owners Club, costs nothing to register with both clubs and plenty of info/help

 

[Gazza1]

Thanks matey. I'll pop in and have looksy.

Gazza

 

[carp]

i too had the same problem with my 2.2dti vectra sri bought from new the only thing vauxhall never changed was the colour

went back to the garage 20-22 times was always going into safe mode with the van on the back not good when you couldnt pull over on a country road and having a queus of traffic behind you have now changed to a mondeo 2.0ltr tdci and im not kidding this is the best car ive ever had and would never go back to vauxhall again best of luck with your vectras