Troubleshooting the electrical system (Opel Vectra A)

Note: For engine starting problems, see Chapter "Engine".

The battery does not hold a charge for more than a few days

• Internal battery failure (Section 5)
• The connections between the wires and the battery terminals are loose or corroded (Section 1)
• The auxiliary drive belt is damaged or incorrectly adjusted (Section 1)
• The generator does not produce the required current (Section 5)
• The generator or voltage regulator is faulty (Section 5)
• Short circuit causing permanent battery discharge (Section 5 and Section 12)

The ignition/battery discharge indicator lamp lights up when the engine is running

• The auxiliary drive belt is broken, damaged or improperly adjusted (Section 1)
• The generator brushes are worn, jammed or dirty (Section 5)
• Weak or damaged generator brush springs (Section 5)
• Internal damage in the generator or voltage regulator (Section 5)
• The wiring in the charging circuit is damaged or open (Section 5)

The ignition/battery discharge indicator lamp does not light

• The lamp burned out (Section 12)
• The wiring in the lamp circuit is damaged or open (Section 12)
• The generator is faulty (Section 5)

Headlights and/or turn signals do not work

• The lamp burned out (Section 12)
• Corrosion of the lamp holder or lamp holder contacts (Section 12)
• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• Relay faulty (Section 12)
• The electrical wiring is damaged or open (Section 12)
• The switch is faulty (Section 12)

Instrument readings are inaccurate or erratic

Instrument readings increase with increasing engine speed

• Faulty voltage regulator (Section 12)

Fuel or temperature gauge shows "0"

• The pointer sensor is faulty (Sections 3, 4A and 4B)
• The indicator wiring is open (Section 12)
• The pointer is faulty (Section 12)

Fuel or temperature gauge constantly shows maximum value

• The pointer sensor is faulty (Sections 3, 4A and 4B)
• Short circuit in the indicator circuit (Section 12)
• The pointer is faulty (Section 12)

The sound signal does not work or does not work correctly

The sound signal is constantly emitted

• The horn button is shorted to ground or stuck in the pressed position (Section 12)
• The contact of the horn wire with the key is shorted to ground (Section 12)

The sound signal does not work

• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• Wiring contacts are loose, damaged or disconnected (Section 12)
• The sound signal is faulty (Section 12)

The horn produces an intermittent or unsatisfactory sound

• Loose wiring connections (Section 12)
• The horn fasteners are loose (Section 12)
• The sound signal is faulty (Section 12)

Windscreen wipers do not work or work poorly

Windscreen wipers do not work or work very slowly

• The wiper blades are stuck on the glass or the rod is jammed (Section 12)
• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• Electrical wiring connections are loose, damaged or disconnected (Section 12)
• Faulty relay (Section 12)
• The windshield wiper motor is faulty (Section 12)

The wiper blades cover too much or too little of the glass

• The wiper arms are not positioned correctly on the axles (Section 12)
• Excessive wear of the wiper linkage (Section 12)
• The windshield wiper motor or rod mounts are loose (Section 12)

Windscreen wiper blades are unable to clean the glass effectively

• The rubber part of the brushes is worn out or damaged (Section 12)
• The windshield wiper arm springs are damaged or the arm hinges are jammed (Section 12)
• The concentration of the active substance in the washer fluid is not sufficient to remove plaque from the windshield (Section 1)

Windshield washers do not work or work poorly

One or more washer jets are not working

• The washer jet is blocked (Section 12)
• The hose is disconnected, pinched or clogged (Section 12)
• Not enough fluid in the washer reservoir (Section 1)

The washer pump does not work

• Electrical wiring or connectors are damaged or open (Section 12)
• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• The washer switch is faulty (Section 12)
• The washer pump is faulty (Section 12)

Liquid is ejected from the jets some time after the pump is turned on

• The one-way valve in the supply hose is faulty (Section 12)

Electric windows do not work or work poorly

The glass only moves in one direction

• The switch is faulty (Section 12)

The glass moves slowly

• The regulator is damaged, seized, or needs lubrication (Section 11)
• Internal door components or trim interfere with regulator movement (Section 11)
• The window lift motor is faulty (Section 12)

The glass does not move

• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• Relay faulty (Section 12)
• Electrical wiring or connectors are damaged or open (Section 12)
• The wiring is open (Section 12)
• The motor is faulty (Section 12)

The central lock does not work or works poorly

The system is not working

• The fuse has blown (Section 12)
• Relay faulty (Section 12)
• The electrical wiring is damaged or open (Section 12)
• The control unit is faulty (Section 12)

[Material copied from this website www.OpelBook.ru]



The lock bolt closes but does not open or vice versa

• The master switch is faulty (Section 12)
• Damaged or disconnected rods or valve levers (Section 11)
• Relay faulty (Section 12)
• The control unit is faulty (Section 12)

One of the electromagnetic units/motors is not working

• The electrical wiring is damaged or open (Section 12)
• The electromagnetic unit/motor is faulty (Section 12)
• Damaged or disconnected rods or valve levers (Section 11)
• The valve itself is damaged (Section 11)