1998 Holden Vectra JS from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I bought 1998 Vectra 3 years ago with 47000km on the clock and have had nothing but problems ever since.

The clock has never worked. The Holden dealer refused to fix under warranty and quoted $670 (plus fitting) to fix it. Went to K-Mart and bought a $10 stick on. Does the same job.

At 50,000 the rocker cover started leaking oil. This was fixed under warranty.

60,000 The timing belt was replaced. This was done again at 75,000, as the original was faulty.

At the same time the car started leaking coolant & oil when left overnight in Winter, and I was advised by my mechanic, due to the cost involved, to leave this until it became extremely bad. It's now leaking overnight all year, so it looks like this will need to be done soon.

It continually idles roughly, even after Servicing & will stall at any time. Thankfully it has never happened in a dangerous situation, so I have been lucky. Three mechanics have been unable to diagnose this problem.

In the last 2 months it will not accelerate past 4500 rpm, and uses twice the fuel. I have had this investigated, replacing the fuel flow meter, which changed nothing costing $560.00). It appears that no one can diagnose this problem either.

Aside from these problems, there are annoying rattles from the body, the remote locks work periodically only, and there is a water leak into the cabin. I have not been able to locate the leak, but you can smell the wet carpet every time it rains.

It's got the the point now, that, I can't even be bothered to repair anything, and when the Rego expires in June the car will be dumped. I would not be able to sleep if I sold the car to anyone. It has certainly been an expensive ($15,000) lesson, and will never by anything from Holden again.

In response to the 1998 Vectra, who just left their details on the 18th Jan. I only logged on to this site yesterday looking for info on Vectras cutting out whilst driving. I found a page that describes step by step how you may fix the problem I printed it off and my dad (mechanic background) Had a look and we may have fixed it. Here is the address

www.cavweb-forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24391

Hope this may have been some help.

If these comments about the Vectra were not true, it would be amusing reading!!! Sadly I've suffered almost all of them, on my wife's 1999 CD Vectra, it now done 260,000 km.

You may well ask how did you suffer it so long. If I had not been in the motor trade for some 13 years, previously, believe me it would have been traded at around 70,000 km. In particular, after having the idle valve replaced after countless dangerous experiences with the engine cutting out in heavy stop start traffic conditions, the repair having a very temporary repair effect at an extremely high cost (not happy).

Now here is the fix, that should eliminate this problem completely, and why at 260,000 km/h I haven't set fire to it. Take your vehicle to a competent mechanic, have him/her disconnect the idle valve by removing the plug, with this disconnected have him/her increase the base idle of the vehicle to 550 RPM. on the throttle butterfly stop screw. (Under normal dealer settings, when this plug is removed the engine will stall as there is no base idle, as the throttle vale is completely shut and relies on the throttle valve to manage base idle via the computer), this is approximately 200 Rpm. below normal idle speed.

Once this procedure has been carried out, reconnect the idle valve plug. You should now have a car that you no longer want take to with a large hammer. Happy motoring!!!

I have a Vectra 97, 160,000Km.

I have the stalling problem as well.

I checked a lot of references and found out it is a common issue. And the solution is regarding throttle body clean up and IACV clean or replacement.

Anyone who can recommend where to fix or who can fix?

Really do not want to go to the dealer.

I live in Ryde, Sydney.

jackliu2008@hotmail.com

I too have a Holden Vectra - 2.2 ltr 1998 Station Wagon.

I've come to this forum to look for some solutions, comments, and suggestions about the car. And I share the same feeling... wish I had seen this site before I purchased it. Bugger... makes me want to trade it in for a better one already. No wonder I don't see much of Vectras on the road. And to think I had some faith with German technology. I might have even bought this car from some of the people who have been putting comments in this forum.

As I'm typing this comment, I've experienced 8 stalling instances, but thankfully not on the freeway yet. Bought the car around March 2008 and the erratic idling and stalling problems just started to come out lately.

So, can anyone recommend where I can have this car serviced here in Perth? Just post your advice here as I'll be checking this site every now and then. Thanks.

For idling problems: Check your IAC (idle air control) if need changing.

For Limp mode, stuck on gear 3 and speedo gauge dancing up and down: Check your alternator if needs changing.

I hope it fixes your problems hehehe.

-MIZART-

We have a 98 CD Vectra and have had the rough idle problem, but I fixed that easily by cleaning out the carb and IAC valve. Have done 40,000k with no problems, but now the engine light has started to come on and sometimes the car won't start? It also resets the clock and CD player.

If anyone has this same symptom, have you found a fix?

Apart from this issue, we've found the Vectra to be a great car, comfy, economical, good power and solid not like the usual Japanese crap in the price range.

Hi, I was looking at possibly buying a Vectra tomorrow, but I don't think I'll bother now! Thanks for all the advice.

Tug.