Arggh changed alternator still having problems ( video )

[Tampon]

Little back story, the car ( vectra 1.8 c ) suddenly flashed up with a engine management symbol, then power steering symbol, then battery light, the dials would stop working then start again. Did some research and appartently it is a common problem with the alternator. So bought one and fitted it today.

Video of the car idling on the drive after the alternator was changed ( same problems as before )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mAv8yXE6U&fea...


So after having intermittent problems with the power steering light coming on, abs flashing, dials switching off then on, engine occasionally not starting I changed the alternator today and thought I had fixed it.

Drove 8 miles to Virginia Water fine and then dials died, power steering went off again, battery light came on etc etc same as before the change.

I have taken a video of the car idling back at home after having to disconnect the battery for 30 sec to get the car restarted in the car park.

Someone has mention a CIM connection behind the steering wheel? I have looked in the haynes manual but it doesn't mention anything about it, could it be that ? how would I go about fixing it/replacing it and what with and where from ? Any other ideas ?

Thankyou for any help offered

[calibrax]

Get a fault code reader - if the EML is on, then there should be a code stored telling you what the problem is. Should have done that before shelling out on an alternator really...

[VXRuss]

I had the CIM (column integration module) replaced on my Vectra VXR.

Lots of dash lights on and my AFL lights didn't work correctly.

Read the fault code first and post what it says.

[Tampon]

Engine management light isn't on all the time, only occasionally. The power steering is the one that normally comes on and that is a very common symptom of the alternator ( Vauxhall have had many recalls for the alternator on vectras ).

As for the code reader, if I called the RAC out would they have one on them ?

bd car won't start at all now. If I disconnect the battery I bet it will.

[jjones]

could the battery be fked? got one on a different car you can try? or maybe try a jump start and see if it is ok then. had a scenic where the dials went mental and it was the battery borked.

[Rigbyy]

My old car had some fun with the dials and dash lights, turned out to be a bad earth.

[Morningside]

Missing earth strap?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Sounds like one of those situations where the standard PH dislike of "dealer diagnostics" turns out to be misplaced, costing an unnecessary alternator replacement.

Hope you manage to get it sorted soon.

[Morningside]

jjones said:

could the battery be fked? got one on a different car you can try? or maybe try a jump start and see if it is ok then. had a scenic where the dials went mental and it was the battery borked.

Had to rescue our next door neighbour and you are right, the dash lights were lit up like a disco!

But it would not start at all and just clicked. Going by the video he is getting a good 14+ volts so it looks like it is charging as well.

[*Al*]

Buy a fault code reader and read the stored faults, if the management has been on and has gone off it will have still have been recorded and stored.

[Tampon]

Battery is fine, checked that. starts sometimes with a bit of fiddling and messing.

Guess I will have to get it tech 2 read. Is tech 2 a vauxhall reader or a standard car industry reader ? reason I ask is the new next door neighbour is a BMW mechanic and he might have one. Don't want to look a prat if it is vaux specific

[GBTurbo]

Sounds like a bad earth, check earthing straps they can look ok but you touch them and they disintegrate. Good luck I hate annoying electrical problems

[Tampon]

GBTurbo said:

Sounds like a bad earth, check earthing straps they can look ok but you touch them and they disintegrate. Good luck I hate annoying electrical problems

Cheer bud, where would one look for a earth strap ? near the battery ? would it attach to the car body work ?

[VXRuss]

Your best bet is to post on www.vectra-c.com there will probably be someone local to you that can tech 2 the car.

[Tampon]

VXRuss said:

Your best bet is to post on www.vectra-c.com there will probably be someone local to you that can tech 2 the car.

All over there, where I found the how to about the alternator.