All Activity

I cannot think of any damage that can occur with that ignition setting - many years ago Ignition Coils would overheat if the power was left on and the contact breakers in the closed position and then the coil would leak oil As far as I know there should be any problem with that nowadays but it doesn't take long to flatten a battery once its left on for a while with lights and numerous other possible sources of current drain. Halfords do a fitting service if you were to buy a replacement audio setup from them along with the wiring kit and any fascia plates you would need

Oops word 'listing' should have been 'listening'

Perhaps I am looking at this the from the wrong perspective and creating a problem. Apart from battery charge being depleted what potential damage can be caused by listing to the radio with the ignition key in position 2 with the engine dash lights on?

I have found a drivers handbook from Vauxhall on their website https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/content/dam/vauxhall/Home/PDFs/owners/owners-manuals/meriva/meriva-owners-manual-june-2012.pdf This is for the Meriva June 2012 but there is an earlier version for the model released in January 2012 (if there are any differences - which I doubt) Also, here is a link to a video guide section from Vauxhall which may be easier to see how to work these functions https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/owners/information-and-safety/how-to-videos.html

unfortunately it would be an expensive modification to equip the car with cruise control - including reprogramming control units to accept the new electronics

On most Volkswagens you have to swap a couple of wires over to get the aftermarket system to work and on the Alfa Romeo you have to join both the power and the ignition fed wires together to power the system up but that means its live all the time (e.g. when you leave the car and lock it up, etc). Thats where the switch comes in. I would only use the wires that are in place for the current audio system. Halfords sell adapter looms to fit the standard vehicle plugs and connect up to the new system

Hi all Ive recently bought a meriva turbo which I love however there are a few things I just can't find. 1. How can I reset the trip mileage after filling up with fuel 2. How can I find out how many miles I have left in the tank 3. How do I get water on my rear windscreen to clean it Thank you all sorry I sound abit dim but I just can't figure it out

Hi There, Fair idea. Its inadvertently left switched on which concerns me... when a young boy in the last century I did similar with a car. Think I found away via the cable to the cigarette lighter, power was cut when the key taken out of ignition. Unfortunately the Meriva lighter only gets power at 2nd position of the key. Don't understand enough about the impact of additional current being pulled from an existing cable such as the one that puts power to the roof/windows. Looks like there are some unused slots in the passage compartment fuse box. Perhaps I can find one of them which gets power in position one an run a line to that. Not sure if that will blow up the body control unit. oops :0)

Hi all, I `ve bought an Astra Estate 65 plate, it has no cruise control. Short of having a replacement steering wheel is there a dash board switch I can fit ?

If you can find the interior cabin temperature sensor (usually on the dash area) then this may be blocked with dust, etc Try to locate it and clean around it to ensure it is correctly reading the cars interior temperature

I had the same problem on an Alfa Romeo Mito and I hardwired it to a permanent 12 volt supply. However, this is okay as long as you can switch the power down via an inline switch when then doesn't drain the battery if inadvertantly left swiched on

That's great news Andy and fuel filters are commonly overlooked on all makes and models of car, motorbike, you name it. May also be worth checking your coolant sensor and ambient air sensor (if fitted to your model) as sometimes they can give misleading information and that can affect idle speeds, etc

Hi all! Please help with following: when I`m setting air system to AUTO - no matter what temperature is set - it blows with cold AIR. As well, when AC is Off, I have to set warm temperature to 23 and above to get warm air but then it becomes really hot. So, the question is - how to make that temperature regulator actually work? I.e. what to check / clean / replace? I`ve tried looking from the side of glove box - it`s a mess of everything, so a bit of schematics or advice highly appreciated. Thank you in advance

88 mile round trip to the coast and back. Had a little glitch on the way out, but that was it. Purred all the way with no problems. just got to work out mpg to see if it's back to its usual consumption. Oh I'm so happy to be driving her and not be worrying.

With all previous cars I have had power goes to radio at key 1st position. In my Meriva A power only goes to the radio when ignition key is a 2nd position and all the ignition lights are on. Not a status I wish to leave the car in when listening to the radio whilst pulled up for a short time. The car had a Clarion CZ fitted when I bought it, works well and the steering controls function correctly. Have found at ignition position 1 windows, sunroofs and wing mirrors have power. How can I get power to the radio at the same time that it goes to the windows, sunroofs and wing mirrors? Splice the radio power line to another cable? I have wiring diagram for the car and a small amount of knowledge about electrics. Also practile abilities. Am old enough to accept that my knowledge is enough to create dangerous unintended consequences... Any advice/guidance much appreciated.

Yeh know what you mean, I ran Super Unleaded in my motorbikes and didn't make any difference to performance, etc. However, the Z3 (which is 25 years old now) and is in standard engine specs used to have a flat spot from about 1500 - 2500 rpm but as soon as I put the good stuff in it resolved that issue....If only I had know years ago as just put up with the running issue for so long.

I have been sticking to the E10. I did try the E5 when it first was introduced, but she did seem to run as well as she could. So I went back to the E10, and she seems a lot happier. Is your Z3 finer tuned than a family car?

Glad to hear its back to normal now Andy...good old maintenance is usually all they need sometimes. Are you running it on SuperUnleaded or just the regular Unleaded? Found my old BMW Z3 is a completely different car to drive on Super and although it costs a little more it is a much improved and smoother drive.

Here's the update on the astras running issues. Changed out the fuel filter this evening, and after a rough start and idle, she seemed to pick up. Took her out for a test run, and first junction after a mile, she cut out. Restarted straight away. Went on a run for about ten miles, and withhaving to stop every so often as it's narrow country lanes around here. She had no issues of stalling. Gave her a good hard run on the clear straights, and yes she's back toher good old self. Pulling like a trojan, and stopping without cutting out. So if anyone has these issues. Then I suggest replacing fuel filter. Tomorrow we're off to the coast. So some fresh fuel and a good run should sort her out.

Thanks Andy for sharing the detailed report as it would be useful for anyone else who is experiencing the same issues. I don't think it does any harm to internally clean some components due to carbon build up and degrading seals and gaskets. I think we are yet to see how the increased Ethanol in fuel will affect the older vehicles particularly when it comes to seals and gaskets - only time will tell. Look forward to the updated reports

Well the clean up of throttle body improved the performance and the idling is a bit better. I have invested in a new fuel filter as apparently it can give the same symptoms that i am suffering with at the moment. So at some point tomorrow afternoon, i will swap them over and see how it goes. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR NEWS ON THE OUTCOME.

Hi I had the same problem and its very common issue with the grandland. The wiring loom can't take the load Apparently. I think the wire overheats and causes the wiring to fail. I had the garage look at it and they upgraded the wiring at a cost of £150. Hope this helps

Hi I had the same problem and it was a total nightmare to sort. I had to buy a certain type of manufactures USB memory stick. Had to download load the updates about 20 time before it was recognised by the car. Got there in the end and won't be updating it again lol

Hi the car has developed an oil leak and appears after the wet belt was changed a year ago. Just wondering if any one else has experienced this and what it cost to repair?

I have a 2019 Grandland x 1.2 puretech. And yes it does use oil. I was told that its because the piston rings aren't as tight to the cylinder wall. Apparently this is to reduce friction therfore using slightly more oil but that is excessive. Was there a lot of smoke coming out the exhaust? I had to pay a £1000 to have the wet belt change and Vauxhall weren't interested. Let me know how you got on.