Locks on a Vauxhall Vectra 1.8

sarah1975uk

Just brought a Used Car yesturday. it a vectra 1.8 1996 N plate. Got home in it yesturday couldnt lock it (has central locking) thought mmm having a blonde moment and hubby done it for me and showed me how to, apparently a knack of not putting the key full way into the lock lol ANyway went to take the kids to school this morning and couldnt get the damn steering lock off to turn the steering wheel to start the car and cant lock the damn car with the key in the door but can unlock it doh!. Flippin ech what could be the problem and how do i sort it? stressed eric now, good job have my company car still had to take the kids to school in that.

WestonDave

Sounds to me like the key is worn - hope the car wasn't sold to you as "low mileage - one lady owner"!. There is probably a knack to getting it in the right place in each of the locks/ignition that makes it work but its worn down enough to miss vital parts of each "lock" if not positioned exactly right. Its possible that the local Vauxhall dealer might be able to help but with the car now over 12 years old its more likely new locks all round is going to be the answer.

Of course if there is another key with it you might find that is the one that never got used and therefore works - if so get a spare cut from that one so the problem doesn't repeat!

sarah1975uk

andrew-b wrote: »

Hi Sarah,

As your having probs with more than one lock i'd go along with Dave in saying that the key is worn. If you goto a vauxhall dealer they should hopefully cut you a new key or know someone who can. Probably worth a phone call first in case they won't! If there is a little rectangular tag with code on on one of the sets of keys make sure you have that with you.

Andy

Hi and thanks for your replies. i only have one key the potenitally worn one. surely if vauxhall etc cut another key it will be worn also? or will they allow for the ware when cutting the new key? thanks again Sarah xxxx

sarah1975uk

Just been to my local vauxhall dealer and they seem to think either worn or needs new locks. They have contacted the dealer where the car originally came from when new and have ordered me a new key, should have it thursday £18 ish. IF that doesnt solve the problem then will be new locks for ignition and drivers door for central locking, they said about £90 + vat if thats the case, flamin ech peed off now, but holding out hope that it will be as simple as it being just a new key. The seller doesnt have the tag or another key

Another bit of advice is that ideally as a precautionary measure want to get the cam belt changed. Rather than just belt get the whole kit replaced. my local mechanic whos always done my cars has quoted 150 including labour and vat and of course parts. Said if i can get the part will charge me £60 to fit it to help me keep costs down. Does anyone know of a good cheap reliable parts dealer where i could order the part i need without getting totally ripped off in the process.

sarah1975uk

andrew-b wrote: »

Hope the key works then!

£150 sounds very reasonable to me - though probably not an expense you wanted! First result on google for a vectra timing belt i looked at was about £80 for parts (about £105 at vauxhall dealer so i doubt you'll get it much lower than that). http://www.vauxallparts.co.uk/?product_id=655567&option=Prod_detail&image_id=275859
I'd stick to what your backstreet garage is offering and save yourself the hassle.

If it hasnt been changed in the last 40,000 miles (google searched and found vauxhall reduced it from 80k to 40k due to probs) then i'd get it done as if it breaks it's an engine build and much much more than that mere £150!

Also have a look here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=250104 ..came across in my google search . Looks like you should replace the whole kit as suggested.

Hope you don't have any other probs!

Andy[/quote

nightmare cars eh lol The bloke i brought the car from said that the owner before him is his friend and that when he brought the car the previous owner to him said the cambelt kit had been changed. But is not 100% sure as no proof or receipts etc, however the other owner was an old man and feels sure eh would not lie about such a thing. Type of bloke who done what was needed in the cars life as opposed to worrying about the money etc. Cant be sure hes telling the truth tho, nice man that sold it to me but buys and sells cars privately so could be a sales pitch to get me to buy who knows.

Now not sure whether to just get it serviced and see how car runs and save a bit to get the cam kit done, At the moment only using the car locally for school runs etc whilst im off work. if the cam belt was to go would i get warning ie lights on dash etc or does it just go bang?? xx

custardy

when you get the cam belt done its best to get the waterpump done at the same time.
what spec is the car? eg sri,gl,ls? and what year?
it maybe fitted with remote locking

http://www.lmfvauxhall.co.uk/store/home.php

http://www.autovaux.co.uk/

sarah1975uk

custardy wrote: »

when you get the cam belt done its best to get the waterpump done at the same time.
what spec is the car? eg sri,gl,ls? and what year?
it maybe fitted with remote locking

http://www.lmfvauxhall.co.uk/store/home.php

http://www.autovaux.co.uk/

Hi Custardy, the car is a vauxhall vectra LS 16v N Plate 1996 Model Engine size is 1799cc I so wish i had married a builder mechanic plumber plasterer electrician :rotfl: :rolleyes:

Thanks for the links is this what i need for my car? really pathetic thick question is a timing belt kit the same as a cam belt? omg level of knowledge on a car is petrol oil and driving the damn thing lol oh and cleaning it lol http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal.aspx?cnum=104&pnum=GM93174261&tabid=5&vnum=136 and http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal.aspx?cnum=152&pnum=AS90543935&tabid=5&vnum=136 water pump is very reasonable if i have chosen the correct product lol

Nile

Hello sarah1975uk

I'll move your thread to the 'Motoring & Public Transport' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

sarah1975uk

andrew-b wrote: »

Nope no warning...just goes bang when the belt snaps... followed by a long series of expletives from driver i would imagine! Without the full history it's difficult to know if it's worth doing. I'd probably replace the belt just to be sure. It's like russian roulette but with cars otherwise.

It's not a diesel is it? As we always have to tell the garage when the cambelt was last changed before they will MOT our diesel engined car - else they won't MOT it.

Andy

No its Petrol mind you the way fuel prices are going maybe cooking oil its a viable alternative lol :P:rolleyes:

custardy

http://www.lmfvauxhall.co.uk/store/product.php?productid=16606&cat=1781&page=1

this should be yours.double check before orderig though.
ive used lmf before.fast shipping and no problems

cant find definate specs for your car/tear.however i see some 96 ls's on ebay with remote locking.
if iftted its very easy to programme these to your car via the ignition.

so somethig like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Vectra-Omega-Door-Remote-Sender-Fob_W0QQitemZ270205177984QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
gives you full lock/unlock/deadlock

sarah1975uk

custardy wrote: »

http://www.lmfvauxhall.co.uk/store/product.php?productid=16606&cat=1781&page=1

this should be yours.double check before orderig though.
ive used lmf before.fast shipping and no problems

WOW thanks so much sweetie, price seems very cheap, does it go with cheap price cheap product quality?? Dont suppose you live in northamptonshire to fit it for me do you? lol OMG where do i find the engine code? dont say on the eigine lol or could it be on log book or mot cert? omg i really need to dye my hair platinam blonde lol
Cost from that site for the cam kit and a waterpump is £78 including delivery. in true mse tradition dont suppose you know of a coupon/discount code for that web site as per your link??