2000 Holden Vectra CD from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I have a 98 Vectra with the Speedo and Tacho dropping out problem - I see this is a regular problem in these forums, but I can't see what the fix is? Help me please before I take it to my auto sparky and cough up a fortune.

Hey, I made the mistake of buying a Holden Vectra. It's second hand and had done roughly 120kms, and I've had it for about a month and already there are problems.

It's manual and I will be stopped at the traffic lights with the clutch and brake in, and then the revs will go crazy and do 2000rpm, and then go back to 800rpm, and then got back up and then just drop and the car will stall.

I don't even have to touch the accelerator. Has anyone else had this problem? Apparently it's the idle speed control unit.

Wow... everyone will probably hate me for posting a positive comment. I am so so upset that I have to sell my Vectra... it's a 2000 CD model that I bought off my Pop. He got it new, and I am only selling it cause I have had my licence taken from me cause of a recent surgery.

I have never had it at the mechanics for anything other than something that should be due. It's never missed a beat or ever let me down, no revving or stalling problems, no instrument or display problems. I am just wishing I didn't have to sell it.

I hope people get their major problems sorted out with theirs.

Hi, my experience with my 2000 Vectra CD is also very negative, although I do not use it too much (still under 80,000km). I listed a few events here:

1. I once drove it with a friend at 60km/h. When approaching to a smooth curve I slightly stepped the brake pedal, but the brake locked up the wheels totally and the car skidded. We were lucky that day as the road is wide and there was no other traffic. The car skidded for a long distance till my friend pulled the hand brake, and the car then turned 180 degrees and stopped in the middle of road.

We then decided to take the car to a garage. On the way to garage, the car skidded a few times at runabouts even I drove it at very slow speed. The mechanic however could not find out what was wrong. The problem disappeared when I reused the car after a few days. I am afraid that it will happen again.

2. A noise is from beneath when steering sometimes. Again the mechanic could not find out why.

3. I have the car regularly serviced according to owner's handbook. Each service cost a lot more than other types of cars I had owned or my friends own. My last service cost me over $1000 as the Holden garage said I should change time chain although the clock was only 70,000km. Parts are also very expensive.

4. Now the Electronic Engine Management System light is on. That is why I read this forum. I expect I have to spend hundreds or even thousand to have it fixed.

Conclusion: I have had owned Nissan, Ford, Toyota and Holden cars. In terms of reliability, safety, maintenance expenses, I have to say Holden Vectra is worst I have had. In addition, it is not pleasant to deal with Holden dealers and their mechanics.

In reply to comments about the Vectra CD 2.2 model (98-02)... ours bought ex dealer with 95000km up, have had it for 3 years, now has 135000km.

Yes, we can agree with most comments.. BUT, it's a solid, well built body with decent running gear, it's the niggly stuff with some poor (cheap) design of ancillaries that lets it down. It's built down to a price, after all. Yet it feels quality on the road, very economical on the highway, punchy motor for its size.

It helps if you are a "home" mechanic. I replaced the timing belt shortly after acquiring car. A lousy job, but you do it or pay $70 an hour for someone else, and they EARN their dough too! Get a good workshop manual. And you don't just replace the belt (half a job), also the tensioner, idler pulleys and maybe water pump while you. re there. Even a non engineer like me can tell you that the idlers and tensioner should have been toothed, just like the cams, so the belt doesn't overheat with friction and need replacing every 50000km!! Tell your mechanic!!

Next!! Engine management system. Usually the red warning light comes on prior to total failure... it lets you know to get things checked out. Simply find a good mechanic who should have a diagnostic tool which plugs into your EMS socket under the dash, and tells the mechanic a code which translates to the problem. Our car has had the crank sensor, cam sensor, airbag squib and air mass meter all come up, over last 3 years. Car should still run with these faulty, although erratically as EMS trys to compensate. All these parts are overpriced plastic junk which belong on Chinese toys. Junk cannot handle under bonnet heat/cold/vibration for long!! The air meter is available on ebay ex UK for about $150AU, takes you 5 minutes to fit, and sure beats $650 or so from your local dealership, (plus their labor which you can bet will not be 5 minutes!!!)

Overall, if you compare the Vectra to other cars, you could do a lot worse. (see "Dog and Lemon" guide 08. If you want a solid, characterful, stylish car that is also 100% reliable, I'm afraid you'll have to shell out $50.000 plus for a secondhand Merc or similar. For $10.000 or so you should be content. Well, most of the time... OK then, when it's going great.

Cheers, Dom.

I own a 1999 JS Vectra, just celebrating it's 10th birthday. I also had overcharging problem at first it started with just the ABS light coming and then a head light bulb blew. A week later the Speedo was cutting off and then other warning lights would come on.

I checked the voltage when the car was running it was a normal 13.8 volts, when the second headlight blew I became aware some of the lights around the air-con cluster had also not been working and it could only be high voltage (to much pressure).

I hooked up a volt meter and put on the dash so I could monitor the voltage on the drive to work, surely enough every so often when the warning lights come on and the speedo cut out, the voltage spiked at a huge 18.5v.

Problem found, new alternator $285. Getting away with only having to replace globes as a result of high voltage and not expensive electrics like computer or ignition modules...) PRICELESS!

That's for all these comments. I was seriously thinking of purchasing a Vectra until I read these issues and have decided to stay well away. Thanks for the heads up in helping me avoid buying a lemon!!

I own a Holden Vectra 1999, and from the day I bought it 2 years ago, it has been nothing but problems.

On the first day I drove it home, it stopped for no reason 11 times, so I drove it back to the dealers. He said that it just needed adjusting on the timer, and sure enough it went for 6 months, and since then nothing but problems. Even put in with a Holden dealership and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong. I told them it was intermittent and would just cut off on me; they kept it for 2 days and nothing. I did this three times.

Then just last week, I found out about sensors that need to be replaced at $1200. The part being $500 at least for one sensor, None of my other cars have given me any problems. My advice to others; STAY AWAY FROM THIS MAKE!!!

I bought a Holden Vectra 98 model a few months ago with 135,000km and regular Holden service history. Have had no problem up until last week when the ABS and traction control light came on. Then a day later, the speedo cut out as well. My local auto electrician said it was the ABS module and my alternator, which cost me $850. I hope I don't experience all the other problems people have had, but knowing my luck I will. If I start getting more problems, then it's getting sold and I'm going back to Mazda.