Problems starting my Diesel Vectra!

rictus123

Try charging the battery to be sure?

pitkin2020

rictus123 wrote: »

Try charging the battery to be sure?

if the battery has been tested i guess they are saying its fully charged so that would be futile.

No power would indicate a poor connection like mentioned, it may well be worth just removing the connections from the battery give the terminals a good clean a dob of vaseline and put them back on

Pete*G_4

Sounds like two problems to me. Starting issues when you still have power indicates Glow plugs. £7 each from Halfords, and you'll need 4, assuming you have the Y19DTH (1.9 CDTi). It's a simple job to do yourself, there are literally hundreds of Vauxhall and/or Vectra forums that'll have the info, as the same engine is used in the Astra, and commerical vehicle ranges. Try sites such as Migweb (here), VVOC (here), or Vectra Sport (here). The links I've given go straight to the forums, but you may find one or two have "Tech Guide" sections you can view and don't need to register on

gist of it is you'll need to take the engine cover off, four bolts on top of engine to remove the coil pack, then you'll see the glowplugs going down into the engine itself. you'll need a long socket to do them, and a steady hand. A Haynes manual is a worthy investment as an alternative to using the forums I gave you.

other problem i.e. lack of power could be something as simple as a loose earth strap, through to Battery/Alternator/alternator cable failure. if one goes they tend all to go so if your battery's been tested and is ok it suggests it's probably a sign somethings on the way out and hasn't failed altogether yet.

pitkin2020

Pete*G wrote: »

Glow plugs. £7 each from Halfords, and you'll need 4, assuming you have the Y19DTH (1.9 CDTi). It's a simple job to do yourself, there are literally hundreds of Vauxhall and/or Vectra forums that'll have the info, as the same engine is used in the Astra, and commerical vehicle ranges. Try sites such as Migweb (here), VVOC (here), or Vectra Sport (here). The links I've given go straight to the forums, but you may find one or two have "Tech Guide" sections you can view and don't need to register on

gist of it is you'll need to take the engine cover off, four bolts on top of engine to remove the coil pack, then you'll see the glowplugs going down into the engine itself. you'll need a long socket to do them, and a steady hand. A Haynes manual is a worthy investment as an alternative to using the forums I gave you.

definetly the cheapest option as most garages are going to charge £40 for the labour + the Parts

JPS29

I have the 2.2dti. When I get rid of this I will never touch a Vectra again!

i am having the same problem, however a temp fix until you get your plugs sorted would be to wait for the lights to go off on the dash, then turn ignition off and back on again, when the lights go off for the second time you will find the car easier to start, sort of a 2 heats principal.

HTH

pitkin2020

InTheBrownStuff wrote: »

I have the 2.2dti. When I get rid of this I will never touch a Vectra again!

i am having the same problem, however a temp fix until you get your plugs sorted would be to wait for the lights to go off on the dash, then turn ignition off and back on again, when the lights go off for the second time you will find the car easier to start, sort of a 2 heats principal.

HTH

strange i have a DTI, (astra) but my glow plug light doesnt come on unless outside temp is very low, i was told as it was due to it being a direct injection it doesnt need the warm up time like a standard diesel

Pete*G_4

InTheBrownStuff wrote: »

I have the 2.2dti. When I get rid of this I will never touch a Vectra again!

i am having the same problem, however a temp fix until you get your plugs sorted would be to wait for the lights to go off on the dash, then turn ignition off and back on again, when the lights go off for the second time you will find the car easier to start, sort of a 2 heats principal.

HTH

the 2.2DTI Y22DTH isn't a bad engine, and why write off an entire type of car because you've had something go wrong with it?! name me a type of car that will never EVER have an issue. go on, I challenge you. name any type and I will find you several internet pages telling you of people who have issues with it :rolleyes:

Nothing wrong with any particular type of car, providing you do your research into the "common" faults with it, and make sure yours is (and remains) well maintained, with particular attention to the common faults themselves.

I've had everything from a Fiat Punto to a Vauxhall Astra (actually, 6 Astras) through to a bog standard Ford Fiesta that couldn't have had less in the way of creature comforts if it had had a concrete park bench as a driver's seat. Each and every type has had apparent "common" faults, yet I've made sure the cars are looked after, and there's never been an issue.

JPS29

Pete*G wrote: »

the 2.2DTI Y22DTH isn't a bad engine, and why write off an entire type of car because you've had something go wrong with it?! name me a type of car that will never EVER have an issue. go on, I challenge you. name any type and I will find you several internet pages telling you of people who have issues with it :rolleyes:

Nothing wrong with any particular type of car, providing you do your research into the "common" faults with it, and make sure yours is (and remains) well maintained, with particular attention to the common faults themselves.

I've had everything from a Fiat Punto to a Vauxhall Astra (actually, 6 Astras) through to a bog standard Ford Fiesta that couldn't have had less in the way of creature comforts if it had had a concrete park bench as a driver's seat. Each and every type has had apparent "common" faults, yet I've made sure the cars are looked after, and there's never been an issue.

I'm a taxi driver so I know the importance of looking after my car. So much so it is reguarly serviced and well looked after, if it's off the road i aint making money.

That said for it a car to have so many problems, such as:
Top hose split
Bottom hose split
Bottom pulley sheared off twice (rubber flange in the middle)
Alternator
Battery (granted can happen on any)
Constantly going in and out of limp mode (most vectra owners will have experienced this)
Turbo siezed
Steering rack leaking

How could I have avoided all of the above given the fact my car is serviced every 3 months? This is all in the space of 14 months

I think enough is enough. I bought the car because I thought it would be reliable, maybe for everyday family use but certainly not for regular use as a taxi.

pitkin2020

i know several taxi drivers who have the 2.2 and the 3.0 DTI vectras and they absouletly love them even so 2 of them went from a passat to the vectra (big mistake in my opinion its like going from an aston martin to a ford fiesta lol) but they love them and my mate who has the 3.0 diesel one 55 plate has just clocked over 300k, yeah he has problems but he said he has had less the passat which he had to change twice due to faults.
You have just got a poor car and it does happen, a friday car and i know when it starts to go wrong it does leave a nasty taste in your mouth but you could buy another one tomorrow and have no problems what so ever

JPS29

Pitkin you may be right. There are quite a few vectras on our circuit now. I know of at least 2 where the bottom pulley has sheared off as well as mine. TBH when the car is running great I love it, but I need something reliable. Funnily ebough I was gonna go for a passat next or a Jap car.

Also there is a driver on our circuit who has the 1.8 petrol, and has had NO problems whatsoever, wonder if the diesels are more problematic, or like you say I just got a dud.