Car/Spanner light on start up????

[goosey_1976]

Hi there,
Just wondering if anyone can help me out, got a Vectra 19cdti (150) on a 55 plate. Been fine until I took the car to be valeted yesterday morning. After picking it back up, I turned the ignition on and went to wait for the glow plug light to go off the car/spanner symbol appeared. I started the car and after a second the engine management light went out as normal followed be the dreaded spanner of death light. It hasn't came on during driving it and fuel economy and power seems no different. And the glow plug light seems to work normally only coming on when first starting the car in the morning and only when needed, as it also tells me in the book.

Any replies would be greatly apprieciated as i'm crapping my pants incase i've driven it and shouldn't have, as i've done 280 miles and it hasn't seemed to flicker one bit

Lee

[the-wizard]

if its only done it once dont worry about it, but if it happens every time you start it, you may have a glow plug gone, a minor defect and wont be no bother to you.

[Robsey]

If it was just valetted, then some of the connectors etc may have got wet, causing some electrical issues.
now the car has been driven, and has fully warmed up / dried out, there should be no more problems.

If the spanner light flashes up for only a few seconds, then a fault has been recorded, but is no longer present.
If the light stays on...then you can prepare for some clean underwear.

[goosey_1976]

Cheers for the reply wizard.. just one thing I forgot to mention.. It does it every time i start the car.. in the same sequence. But as I think i stated in my first post, has never done it during driving running or idling anytime afterwards. Should I get a diagnostic test done on it ASAP and find out what the score is with it...?

Lee

[goosey_1976]

Wizard if it was a glow plug are we talking about robbing a bank to pay for them??? Just i've only been "converted to vauxhall" a few months now and not used to all this electronic diesel jiggery pokery.. I was a rover owner for 11 years before i switched the only electronics i had in that thing were the car stereo

[Robsey]

As posted above,

as long as the light goes back out after a few seconds, then all is fine.

If you want to be totally sure, leave the battery disconnected for 30 mins or so...
This should clear the error code.

also if your car is pre october 2004, then ensure you have the radio code handy.

Any car from oct 2004 onward does not need the radio code to be entered after the battery is reconnected.

[goosey_1976]

cheers Robsey, its late so i'll try that tomorrow and let you know whats happened. it stays on for a a second or so if that. The radio is a CD 30 and i've had that disconnected before to fit the bluetooth loom for the phone kit. It worked ok on refitting.. As for you post about new underwear. My heart was in my kegs when it appeared, and theres my missus sitting in her clean car next to me telling me its ok.. And thats coming from a ****** clio owner !! Thanks for the advice though, greatly appreciated from both you and wizard

Lee Gallacher

[Robsey]

Yep, I read the 55 plate bit after I'd posted.
No issues with the radio code then.

If the two second light doesn't bother you then leave the battery alone....if it gets on yer nerves, then just disconnect for 30 mins as suggested.

Ooooh Renault (holds head in hands)...best tell her to save up her money for silly repairs to random intermittent electrical glitches then...renault and electrical reliability don't usually go together.

[the-wizard]

Wizard if it was a glow plug are we talking about robbing a bank to pay for them??? Just i've only been "converted to vauxhall" a few months now and not used to all this electronic diesel jiggery pokery.. I was a rover owner for 11 years before i switched the only electronics i had in that thing were the car stereo

it probably is only a glow plug and can be brought for about
£9 each from a local motor factor, you only need to change the faulty one.

[kentish_bloke]

Hi there,
Just wondering if anyone can help me out, got a Vectra 19cdti (150) on a 55 plate. Been fine until I took the car to be valeted yesterday morning. After picking it back up, I turned the ignition on and went to wait for the glow plug light to go off the car/spanner symbol appeared. I started the car and after a second the engine management light went out as normal followed be the dreaded spanner of death light. It hasn't came on during driving it and fuel economy and power seems no different. And the glow plug light seems to work normally only coming on when first starting the car in the morning and only when needed, as it also tells me in the book.

Any replies would be greatly apprieciated as i'm crapping my pants incase i've driven it and shouldn't have, as i've done 280 miles and it hasn't seemed to flicker one bit

Lee

Quick question. Did you notice any numbers under the spanner/car symbol? I ask because, as far as i am aware, the spanner/car light, which is orange, is a reminder that the engine needs a service. I currently have the spanner/car symbol when starting mine every time, previously i had the same symbol with a 1000 under it, telling me its within 1000 miles of needing a service.