Vectra - Problem

richb_83

richb_83

richb_83

Associate
Joined
27 Apr 2008
Posts
430
Location
Somewhere near brum
Bought a 52 reg (new shape) SXi 2.0 DTi Vectra in December last year.

Good nick only problem when checking over the car was a knackered CD player, it also had all the recall work done. I really like the new Vectras, driven one before so was over the moon when I got this.

At the beginning of July I started to notice that on the cooler mornings it would struggle to start..took slightly longer than usual and I also notice once it fired up the exhaust omitted a nice blue puff of smoke but once running it would run perfectly.

So I decided to take it in for a check at a Vauxhall garage. Got a phone call telling me it was the engine ECU and that it would need to be re-newed. Total cost if fixed (parts and labour) it would set me back over £1750!! WTF :eek:That is almost half the cars value when I bought it :(.

Now I know Vauxhall aren't cheap so would I be best of finding a local garage/specialist to get it re-tuned? If so what cost would I be looking at? £1750 is a little steep for me...maybe £800 - £1000 i could spare. It's got its MOT in December and I'd hate it to fail it if it don't run correctly and I can't afford to get another car...would get sod all for an un-MOT Vectra with the above fault.

Any ideas? Also I'm from Staffordshire if anyone knows a good place to go?
 
Any light on the dash that shouldn't be, what happens to the glow plug light when you first turn the car on in the morning?

I'd ge ta diag check run, shouldn't cost that much and for the love of god, don't let Vauxhall do any work on the car.
 
I do get a random warning light come on but when I look it up in the manual is for a blown light bulb/loose connection.

As for the glow plug light it comes on but only on the colder days, don't know if this is normal.

Mechanic said it wasn't the glow plugs...is it worth getting a 2nd opinion?
 
Google, vectra DTI cold start issues, few answers fall back to the exhaust sensor, think they mean the 02 probe.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, also get answers pointing towards the fuel filter, fuel pump, cam shaft sensors, valve clearances lol

Think I'll just get a diesel engine specialist to come have a look. Hopefully, it's not a ECU problem.
 
If its only on cold days i doubt its an ecu fault since it would happen all the time, i suppose it could be water getting into the ecu plug / contacts, might be worth having a look and give the connector a clean out.

When taking a car for diag to a 'mechanic' they usually go with the most expensive item to change first!
 
Yeah all this electronic crap :mad:...I could do everything myself on the old mechanical operated engines.

Loved my first car G reg Escort....pop the bonnet and see an engine block and the bare essentials...used to do everything myself on that :D.

Pop the Vectras bonnet and get an eye full of plastic and wires.:rolleyes:
 
Hop on over to :-

http://www.forum.vectra-c.com/

Plenty of friendly and informed Vec C owners there that I'm sure will be able to help.

I had the main engine management ECU replaced under warranty on my 3.0 V6 CDTi Vectra last year and it would have cost me the best part of £700 to supply only, if I had to have paid for it out of my own pocket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom