Vectra Climate control problem

[dj2755]

Hi,
A couple of days ago I started having problems with the climate control in my 2006 Vectra 2.2 Elite which has now made my car practically unusuable with weather as bad as it is!
I started the car the other day and the climate control was working fine as usual. A couple of minutes later, all power to the control panel died, so the LED's went out, along with the temp info etc on my display panel. As a result I was left with no heater or heated screen etc. Five minutes later, the power came back on and everything was working fine again, then a couple of minutes after that the control panel power died again! I would say over the past 3 days the control panel has powered up and down at least 20 times in the short time I have been in the car.
I took the panel out and removed and reinserted the two multiplug connectors and they seem ok. I am ussuming the fuses are ok as I am getting intermittent power to the panel. I dont know if this helps anyone with a diagnosis, but since having this problem when I lock the car and set the alarm, about 30 seconds later the indicators start flashing and the alarm goes off! The only way I can stop it doing this is before I get out of the car I press the button on the dashboard which I think is for the interior movement sensor. Then when I lock the car and set the alarm it doesn't go off!!
Is there anything else I can do or check to get my Climate control working, or is it a costly trip to the dealer job?
Thanks

[dj2755]

Does anyone have any idea of what the problem might be?

[kenp]

Alarm and ECC is not connected to the same module..

is ECC working now?

have you tryed to unplug the alarm sensor and connect it back?

[dj2755]

Alarm and ECC is not connected to the same module..

is ECC working now?

have you tryed to unplug the alarm sensor and connect it back?

No, climate control control panel is not working. Where would I find the alarm sensor plug?

Thanks.

[kenp]

the interiur sensor is up where the interiur lights are.

the ecc panel can be changed.. (just make sure you get one that fits yours..)

[dj2755]

ok thanks Ill have look. Would you say a faulty ECC panel on the dash is the most likely reason for the intermittent power loss as opposed to say the regulator/resistor unit thats attached to the blower that a lot of people have trouble with? Having said that, as mentioned earlier, I dont have any water getting into the car as my pollen filter drain hole is not blocked.

[kenp]

i would say faulty panel, and not motor..

Not many have problems with ECC, but it sounds like the panel.. if you have a mate running a Vectra C with ECC to, the try his to see if thats working.

[dj2755]

I'll probably have to take a chance on a panel from ebay. Would a new panel be just 'plug and play' or will it have to be mapped into the cars ECU's?
Just an update on the latest behaviour of my ECC as I have been able to use the car a bit more now the ice has gone (for now!!!)
When I start the car first thing in the morning, the control panel lights up and everything works ok.... then about 30 seconds later the control panel goes dead and actually doesn't come back on again until the next morning!!!
Just before the panel shuts down for the day, I can hear a ticking noise from behind the instrument binnacle which seems odd because I have read all of the regulator/resistor stuff is behind the glovebox. Just thought I would mention it in case it helps.
Thanks

[kenp]

I dont know if its just plug and play..

but i do know that you need one suitable for you car.. so if you car is before 2005 model year you also need a ECC panel from that, or after then after.

the ECC panel is what controls the regulator..

[mikeeaston]

Just to drag this thread back up I am having the exact same problems with my car, has anyone got any more ideas with it been 2years down the line thanks