Search found 19 matches
- Fri Dec 23, 2016 12:04 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 426
Re: Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
Follow up from Alan: The early Dim Dip units including retro fit kits did have a big series resistor that dissipated between 30 and 50 watts. With the availability of high power MosFets a more elegant solution using pulse-width modulation can be used. Since MosFets have a very low on resistance diss...
- Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:45 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: Other
- Topic: SMELL OF PETROL
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1924
Re: SMELL OF PETROL
I had a similar problem on my CDi. The MOT guys eventually found it. The union between the petrol pipe and the tank was very slightly loose and petrol was seeping into the outer spongy layer of the petrol pipe. Union was tightened very carefully and smell went away. When car was in motion pipe was m...
- Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:32 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Spark only when ignition turned on not cranking
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1379
Re: Spark only when ignition turned on not cranking
That relay noise you heard as you turned the ignition on could be the safety system for the fuel pump which only provides power to the pump when engine is turning. However to get it started it pulls in for a very short period when ignition switch turned on. This is standard on injection, may apply t...
- Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:18 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Boot Lock
- Replies: 7
- Views: 452
Re: Boot Lock
I concur, if the wiring loom has failed near the boot hinge then very weird things happen (see my own post) my faulty loom had two broken cables and another two rubbing together. I think this is a minor design fault, cable loom gets very stiff in cold weather and the amount of cable over which the m...
- Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:01 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Engine fades out over 3 seconds.
- Replies: 4
- Views: 576
Re: Engine fades out over 3 seconds.
That's strange because the first time it happened to us we rang the Vauxhall help line and they identified the cause straight a way. I am now on my third module so they last about 9 years. Cavalier does not have air con but is a 2 ltr CDi. Other module in the box is part of ABS braking system. I now...
- Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:53 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 426
Re: Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
My Cavalier is a 2ltr Auto CDi 1989 and the Dim Dip was definitely a factory-fitted option. However I agree that even the handbook is a little vague as to fitted or not. Was Sweden driving on the same side of the road as the UK at that time? If so then this might have been fitted so the car could be...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 2:00 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 426
Headlight bulbs appear to have overheated.
Typical results melted contacts, drooped elements, broken glass. Possible Cause: Malfunction of the Dim Dip subsystem. Background: many cars are fitted with a Dim Dip subsystem that operates when the sidelights are switched on and the ignition is on. The dipped beam filament of the headlight is fed ...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:46 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Parking position of windscrren wipers varies significantly
- Replies: 0
- Views: 370
Parking position of windscrren wipers varies significantly
Depending on the amount of rain wipers park at different places. Cause: dynamic braking not operational. Wipers are being slowed simply by friction. There is significant kinetic energy in the motor rotor to dissipate. Solution: replace wiper control module. Background: The wiper motor drives what ap...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:23 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Doors unlock whilst driving
- Replies: 0
- Views: 322
Doors unlock whilst driving
Some folks prefer to lock the doors whilst inside as a security feature. Occasionally system may unlock doors. Cause: There is a safety module located in the side panel at driver's knee height that unlocks all the doors in the event of a collision. This only works whilst the ignition is on and so ca...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:09 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: Mechanical
- Topic: Scream from power steering on full lock
- Replies: 1
- Views: 238
Scream from power steering on full lock
This is caused by the drive belt to the power steering pump slipping when steering reaches its mechanical limit. In theory there is a mechanical blow off valve but this requires significant pressure to trigger it. Better to allow the belt to slip and remove load from more delicate parts of system. J...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:02 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Scream under bonnet imediately after starting.
- Replies: 0
- Views: 271
Scream under bonnet imediately after starting.
Noise lasts for 3 seconds. Alternator fan belt very slightly too slack. Background: An alternator in good condition can provide well over 200 Amps of charging current to the lead acid starter battery that has been partially discharged by use of the starter motor. This represents over 3 horse power o...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:46 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: Bodywork and Interior
- Topic: One windscreen wiper arm no longer operates.
- Replies: 0
- Views: 424
One windscreen wiper arm no longer operates.
Offending wiper arm can be moved to any location without any resistance. Probable cause. Miniature ball and socket pivot on wiper drive linkage has become detached. Cause: end of life wear or overload caused by attempting to move snow. Probable solution: fit new wiper linkage sub-assembly. However e...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:35 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Brake lights suddenly on all time
- Replies: 0
- Views: 307
Brake lights suddenly on all time
For no apparent reason all brake lights suddenly on all time. Cause: foot slipped off brake pedal allowing pedal to fly up uncontrolled. Effect: de-calibrates brake light switch. Solution: Push brake pedal down slightly with one hand and pull stalk of brake light switch towards brake pedal until it ...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:21 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Direction indicators intermitant.
- Replies: 0
- Views: 352
Direction indicators intermitant.
Possible cause: worn out moving contact shoe within trafficator switch. If you don't use the selective sidelight parking facility then it is possible to swop over the two contact shoes within the trafficator switch. You will see typical direct current burn marks on contact shoe. You need a clean tab...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:11 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Headlamp flasher does not work
- Replies: 0
- Views: 308
Headlamp flasher does not work
Pulling the stalk does not result in headlamps flashing.
Probable cause: moving contact within trafficator switch has fatigued and broken.
Solution: this is not repairable. Fit new switch unit. Observe how harness hugs steering column.
Probable cause: moving contact within trafficator switch has fatigued and broken.
Solution: this is not repairable. Fit new switch unit. Observe how harness hugs steering column.
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:06 pm
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Car battery goes flat overnight
- Replies: 1
- Views: 498
Car battery goes flat overnight
Car battery goes flat overnight. No obvious hot spot to explain where the power went. Amp meter in battery lead shows a constant drain of about 1 Amp this damages modern lead acid batteries. You may need to replace battery soon. Other symptom: Windows may occasionally close unexpectedly whilst drivi...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 11:49 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Doors lock and unlock at random whilst car is in motion
- Replies: 0
- Views: 305
Doors lock and unlock at random whilst car is in motion
Slight bumps in road causes central locking to randomly lock or unlock doors. One Possible cause: Worn out boot lid cable harness on saloon models. Insulation failing causing cores to touch. Verification: temporarily unplug boot lid harness from remainder of fixed harness. Connector located under pa...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 11:44 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Strange rumbling noise suggesting faulty front wheel bearing
- Replies: 0
- Views: 270
Strange rumbling noise suggesting faulty front wheel bearing
Typical event: Travelling on a flat road at 50 mph with a very light accelerator. Rumbling noise that seems to be coming from nearside wheel. Wheel bearing passes MOT type backlash and wobble test. Probable cause: late detonation of fuel in exhaust manifold. Producing pulse jet type sound. Root caus...
- Wed Dec 21, 2016 11:34 am
- Forum: Faults and Fixes: ICE and Electrical
- Topic: Engine fades out over 3 seconds.
- Replies: 4
- Views: 576
Engine fades out over 3 seconds.
Typical sequence: Hit a pothole and then have to brake sharply for an unexpected red light. As car comes to stop engine fades away and will not restart. Quick fix: dive under bonnet and open relay box on near side. Remove rearmost module and wave about to cool it down for at least 2 minutes. Refit a...