Vectra C glitches

kwikbreaks

I'm wondering if anybody else has seen these problems with a Vectra C (2006) and if I should be concerned that maybe a major problem is brewing.

On at least two occasions after starting there has been no power steering. Turning off and then starting again resolved this.

The other night just after starting out every guage was on zero (speedo, rev, fuel, temp) the trip milage was still working as was the fuel computer. Onec again the old off/on trick got everything working again. I'm not sure if the gauges just never came on when I started or if they zeroed after.

I'm beginning to wonder if Microsoft coded the management computer.

delambo

It could be a microprocessor fault that is beginning to break down as it gets colder but I wouldn't start to think along those lines too soon as it will no doubt be costly. It would be worth getting a fault code read to help determine what might be wrong although to be honest it s unlikely to show any faults - make sure you get the CIM scanned as this is the likely area of fault.

First though I would try disconnecting and re-connecting the battery for a while (make sure you have the radio code first) and see if this fixes it.

kwikbreaks

Thanks for the suggestions. It isn't a sudden problem as I've had the car for about 3 years and the last episode with the power steering was ages ago.

I bought a code reader to diagnose a problem with my previous Vectra B and it helped me sort that one but GM must have changed their protocols because it wouldn't work with this one so I resold it. I doubt there will be any codes stored as there is no light and with the Vectra B the only time I got a code was when the fault light was lit.

What I was really wondering was if others had noticed glitches such as these.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I'm wondering if anybody else has seen these problems with a Vectra C (2006) and if I should be concerned that maybe a major problem is brewing.

On at least two occasions after starting there has been no power steering. Turning off and then starting again resolved this.

The other night just after starting out every guage was on zero (speedo, rev, fuel, temp) the trip milage was still working as was the fuel computer. Onec again the old off/on trick got everything working again. I'm not sure if the gauges just never came on when I started or if they zeroed after.

I'm beginning to wonder if Microsoft coded the management computer.[/QUOTE]

Close but youll find the ecu software is powered by java script.

clocks? speedo etc not working sounds a problem with the clocks, although i do know that some astra's n vectras if the abs sensor is faulty can cause them not to work. powerstearing? is fluid low? pipes look ok and rack ok not leaking etc. any engine management light on if it did then went it will be stored in the ecu and car maybe in limp home mode have a fault code read done see if anything throws up.

haggisAThome

i have had lots of vauxhalls with that fault , it most of the time the alternator . they have electromechanical power steering and the first thing to stop working is the pas . i could be wrong but please check your charging system

kwikbreaks

As I said in the first post simply turning the engine off and restarting it clears these faults. The problem is clearly a glitch in the management computer. I know how to fix it - turn off / turn on. I just want to know if others have encountered this problem with their own Vectras.

delambo

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

Close but youll find the ecu software is powered by java script.

Very very unlikely!!

The firmware will almost certainly have been written in ASM, however there is a slight chance it might have been written in C and compiled into ASM.

haggisAThome

kwikbreaks wrote: »

The problem is clearly a glitch in the management computer. I know how to fix it - turn off / turn on. I just want to know if others have encountered this problem with their own Vectras.

are you sure its a glitch in the BCM ? , try getting a garage to check it instead if guessing . that way you will find out before it gets serious

harveybobbles

It'll be the alternator.

GM had a run of duff ones. As the PAS is electric on the Vectra it just uses what energy it has to run the engine.

Saab issued a recall on them. Dont think Vauxhall did.