alphonse

Hi there, sorry for the delay in replying. There was nothing in my owners manual that was helpful, however I was reading an old Car Mechanics mag. the other day and came across an article on headlights and the beeping noises that are given off if you have a particular type and they go faulty. It states that the noise can be heard under the bonnet and sometimes under the dash area. Maybe someone in the past has fitted a set of these bulbs which give a brighter light? The bulbs are the High Intensity Discharge or HID type. Evidently, if the Igniter fails they give off a clicking sound. Anyway, if you want the full story it,s in the January 2023 edition magazine, page 7. Hope this helps, I am curious myself......... Peter.

Hi there, I noticed the fuel gauge shows nearly empty, could it be a warning ? I will look in my drivers manual to check. Hope you get it sorted soon. Peter.

Thanks again, much appreciated. That,s my next job sorted. Regards, Alphonse.

Thanks for the advice, I will check with Halfords as you suggest. To go back to the power steering oil changing, I haven,t been able to find the type or grade anywhere, also, is there a drain bung on the rack? I don,t want to disconnect the wrong thing. Sorry to be a bother.

Hi again, I would like some advice please regarding the correct engine oil for my 2012 Meriva, petrol.B 14 XER. When I bought the car, the dealer had changed the oil and entered in the service book that he had filled it with C3 grade oil. However when I checked the owners hand book it states it should be Dexos 2. and only use 1 litre of C3 once in between oil changes. So is ACEA C3 not good for this engine? looking at the recommended oils on line only makes for more confusion... My other question is this. Should the power steering oil level be checked when the engine is running or not? Also, the oil in mine looks very dark. should it be changed at all? I cannot find any mention of this anywhere. I am asking this as a friend recently bought a Meriva 2013, and his power steering has failed. Thank again for any help. Alphonse.

Hi, I eventually got my car sorted. The ABS unit was beyond repair and so I bought one from a breakers. I was told to quote the code from the unit, which was AD9 and to get one the same which I did. This was fitted but they evidently had a job to match ( ? ) it to the car. The garage did get it to work after a lot of phoning around and so I am back on the road. The alternative would have been to scrap it I guess. Can I include the garage that did the work? They were very helpful and reasonable in price considering. They are Auto Cars, Willerby, near Hull. Since I got the car back, I have fitted a piece of stiff plastic under the expansion tank, just in case. Maybe other Vauxhall owners would be advised to check their tanks for leaks also. Regards to all, Alphonse.

I took the car into a local garage that was recommended to me and they sent the ABS unit off for repair. Alas it was too far gone. Water ingress from the expansion tank. So now they are looking for a good used one for me. I guess it will have to be formatted to my car to work? How is this done I wonder? An other trip to the Vauxhall dealers?? I hope not. If and when I do get the car back, I will be looking for ways to stop water getting to the ABS again. An idea for anyone with a Meriva I guess! I will keep posting as things develop,

Thanks for the advice. We removed the plug from the ABS unit this morning but couldn,t see any signs of corrosion. There was a trace of browney sludge around though. There may have been more but the auto electrician may have wiped it off last week. I was considering BBA Reman but the feed back doesnt look very promising? Their website looks good, also the service they offer looks good. My local garage said they will do the job and send it off for repair to BBA if I want. They are going to have another word with the auto electrician before going any further so I will hang fire for now. Thanks again, Alphonse.

Hi there. I have a meriva 2012, petrol 1400cc manual gearbox. For a few months I have had the ABS warning lights coming on and off at random times. My local garage checked it over, their reader said it was a front left speed sensor and fitted a new one. When I picked it up the lights were all back on. When they road tested it there were no lights on. They fitted another speed sensor wondering if the other was faulty. It wasn,t. I contacted an auto electrician who diagnosed a wiring fault either at the ABS or the wire to the sensor. He advised me to take it to the Vauxhall agent which I did reluctantly. Their diagnostic said it was a faulty ABS unit caused by a water leak from the expansion tank. I haven,t needed to top up the water for nearly a year so I didn,t get that story. In the morning I will remove the battery and have a good look myself as the space is limited to see properly. The agent quoted me £2250 to fit a new ABS and expansion tank. I have just seen that they can be sent off for refurbishing, has anyone had experience of this type of job? Can anyone advise me of any pitfalls please. Thanks Alphonse.

Hi, I have recently bought the above car. Everything seems fine except for engaging the reverse gear. I have tried to delay engaging with holding the clutch in for a while but it still grates most times. Occasionally it is ok. though. Can anyone give me any idea what the problem may be please. Thanks.