I have a holden vectra 97 gl, I have owned it about 3 years, so far have had the steering column replaced under warranty for the knock, then had to replace the auto gear select $700 as car would lock itself into 2nd gear and only stopping motor and restarting would solve the problem.
Recently it started to miss at cruise, so far still trying to locate the problem, my mechanic has given up and told me to sell the car after replacing the cam sensor, crank sensor, oxygen sensor and cleaning injectors. Spent over $1200 dollars so far on this problem and now I'm thinking air mass sensor, if that doesn't work, I'm not too sure where to go. It starts to jerk at about 2000 rpm, especially noticeable in top gear. Any ideas appreciated.
I bought a 2000 Vectra GL at 11k's from a dealer. I had to get the steering column replaced around 50k's, and around 80k's the alternator was overcharging the battery and stuffing the computer (so had that replaced).
I also had a variety of noises - the loudest was (I am told) the brake screws holding the pedal on were loose and rattled as the car drove along (but stopped upon applying the brake). Now, just considering whether to keep it or sell it now while it's still working.
Just about to buy a 2001 Gl sedan. Very keen on the car, but there are two main concerns. There is a knock in the steering and a judder as the auto gears change. Having read about steering columns being replaced I am worried and wondered if anyone could comment on auto transmission judders/jumps.
Don't be to alarmed with the knock in steering.
Re tension you HEX bolts below the steering column, there are two, at 20nm. A little thread lock on these, and they'll give great results.
No concern, do it every 20 thousand.
Shannon.R.
We have a 1999 Holden Vectra wagon and have enjoyed it for almost three years. Having driven only 20000km in that time we have done two cam angle sensors, water pump, timing belt (replaced at 100000km) and now we are dealing with the speedo behaving more like a tacho with a mind of its own and an engine management code for Air Mass Meter, but with no performance issues.
Do we keep it or move on?
Move on as soon as you can. Do yourself a favour and trade it in on a Toyota or Mazda. Your bank balance will thank you for it in the long run.
I have a JS11 Vectra (bought new) that the emission warning light has come on (it has 39K on the clock). The manual says take it to Holden Dealer for a emission system check.
Has this occurred to any out there? If so, what was the problem.
I'm trying to avoid entering a Holden dealer (ever).
Cheers.
In regard to your CD Vectra we recently had our 1999 Vectra CD 2.6 engine rebuilt. A little research at the time with an engine rebuilder informed us that the 2.6 engine had a problem with the cam and the dealer replaced it under warranty.
I owned a 2001 Holden Vectra Equipe Sedan. 2.2 Ltr. Ecomony and Performance were good. But that is all. Running costs are expensive.
Lots of little niggly faults. Many things either keep breaking, stopped working, needed replacing, needed tightening (including the steering column bots), and the parts and service were very expensive.
Stay away, and if you own one now, get rid of it if you have done over 50,000 kilometres because they just get even more expensive. (Timing belt changes at 60,000 cost about $1,100 at a Holden Dealer).
Hi Shannon.R.
Could you give more detail about HEX bolts below the Steering Column? I cannot find it at all.
I bought a second hand Holden Vectra GL made in 2001. It worked well, but yesterday, when I tried to start it, it was broken down. I cannot turn the key. First I thought it was the steering lock, but it was not. When NRMA came, he told me he met a few cases like this for Holden Vectra GL. The problem is the lock was kinda of broken. I have to call a lock smith today to fix it. I think I might need to get rid of this car.
I have owned a Vectra hatch since 1998, have done 205k in it, but have had several problems in that time, all expensive to rectify, but its most recent problem has me baffled. Some months back the instrument lights went out, that is the lighting for the speedo, tacho etc. One night a couple of weeks back to my surprise they came back on till the completion of the trip and have not worked since. Yesterday the odometer illumination went out and is still not working. Like so many others the centre display for the radio/date is pixelating (for want of a better term). Has anyone else this dash light problem and does anyone know the cure?
I have had an on going group of issues with my 2.2litre Ecotec 2000 GL Vectra: Speed and rev meter dropping out, EMC lights coming on with odd engine problems :then engine going to safe mode until I restart it. After restart it's fine.
After much research. I asked an auto electrician to check the voltage regulator on the alternator and it was faulty. They were going to change several sensors, but they were NOT! the problem. If the EMC gets a voltage spike or drop it gives incorrect info. My electrician changed the regulator in good faith and all the issues stopped.
This appears to be a common problem with a lot of wrong ways of attempting to fix the real issue.
regards
Sean.
Well, I bought a Vectra 98 CD 2.2 second hand about 4 months ago. I wish I had seen this thread before I got all excited about buying it. The car only had 114k on the clock and full service history (from Newcastle Holden). For the 1st few weeks all was well, it ran like a charm and was comfortable to drive.
Until one day I was driving along in a parking lot, and BAM the steering lock came on WHILE I was driving!! This scared the hell out of me, I was only going about 15km/h so it wasn't too big a problem, I just had to stop the car and restart it to get the steering lock to turn off. My mechanic had a look at it and told me the locking mechanism was worn out and it potentially could have engaged anytime I was driving!! Imagine the steering lock coming on going 110km/h!!! That could have been devastating!! So my mechanic got out the hammer and chisel, and bye bye steering lock, what a pointless thing to have anyway IMO.
Car radio/CD player has a mind of its own; when turning it on, it often decides to come on a FULL volume!! This has scared the $^%$ out of me many times!! Dodgy indeed.
Brake light sensor! The warning light telling me my brake pads need replacing came on one day, so naturally I called my mechanic to come out and replace them. Well, the pads that the sensor was talking about still had about 3 months (according to my mechanic) of driving left in them!! Way to give early warning!! Now they have been replaced, the brake pad indicator light has never gone off!! Every time I turn the car on, it wants me to check brake pads!! GRRR.
Now I am getting the engine warning light coming on every now and then! I ring up the local Holden dealer and he says that the engine warning light could mean... get this... " there could be a faulty sensor causing the warning light to come on".
I mean surely the sensor is trying to tell me something is wrong, or could be damaged, and the best the dealer could come up with is that it could be a faulty sensor?? GG gives me huge confidence in this car and the brand!! (sarcasm)
Anyway, I'm glad I found this thread, I might just look at selling this potential bomb before next year's rego is due.
As a Vectra owner with problems, I'm very interested in reading these comments.