15th Aug 2008, 15:01

Anyone had any problems with the "engine" warning light coming on? We took our 2005 model (new style) to the nearest Vauxhall dealer's service department following the engine light flashing - as per the manual's instructions. The service department weren't able to examine the car that day and said the light flashing could be caused by a multitude of problems. They booked the car in for a diagnostic test, saying the car could still be driven without causing any problems. The car was booked in for diagnostic analysis 2 days later and in the interim period the exhaust blew. We took it back to the service centre, who removed the exhaust and said the catalytic converter had gone into meltdown. Repairs currently standing at in excess of £1,100 and they cannot confirm there are not any further problems. Now wondering if the company were somewhat negligent in advising it was OK to drive the car with this light flashing - any ideas???

16th Aug 2008, 11:03

Message for Andy.

I did have my suspicions about the fuel system being the culprit as other people writing on this message board have alluded to this being the problem. When our car has experienced the lack of power problem (with Engine Management Light coming on), it does then go away after I've really blasted it driving it high revs for a bit, as if it clears out some blockage. So if there's a problem with the fuel inlet valve this certainly could be the problem. I definitely will add some fuel system cleaner and see how it goes. With all of this, it's the loss of confidence that's the killer, especially when it's the wife's car and she's mostly with the kids. Will advise how it goes.

Cheers.

Mark.

19th Aug 2008, 08:37

Hi Mark. It certainly sounds as if you have the same problem as I did, the symptoms are identical. The fuel system flush I used was manufactured by Wurth. Its not an instant fix but does the job after a while. My Zafira has now covered 900 miles since this was diagnosed without any problems, our confidence in the car is now slowly returning, (we almost traded it).Best of luck. Andy.

1st Sep 2008, 02:13

I wish I'd found this site before our recent holiday! The spanner warning light has lit up in the past once or twice but gone out again straight away. We decided we would drive our 53 plate Zafira to Italy. The light came on when we were in Belgium, losing power whenever it came on and unable to take it over 60 mph. We finally got there but the problem continued on the journey home. Nerve-wracking for my husband not knowing how the car was going to behave on the hairpin bends through the alps and on the fast moving motorways. Have read all the comments up to know, can anyone summarize in a nut-shell the best thing for us to do? Thank-you.

3rd Sep 2008, 13:52

GM customer services did get in touch and they have asked me to take it to my local dealer. I have to pay for a diagnostic but the garage have been given a a ref number to contact customer services when they examine the vehicle.

In between time much to my despair the door lock has stopped working on one of the back passenger doors - I only replaced a front one in March.

Well the mechanic contacted me this afternoon and they cannot find anything wrong with the car and I have been quoted @140 for the door lock - a faulty wiring loop.

The mechanic said you've just been unlucky with this car.

Reliability is not down to luck in my book but instead down to quality of manufacture.

Over £1000 on repairs so far and no end to reliability problems.

Chris D.

10th Sep 2008, 10:41

I have a 2ltr diesel, Zafira Energy, recently it became difficult to start, eventually after a week it would not start at all. My local dealer diagnosed a sensor within the fuel pump, of which there are three. To rectify this, apparently I have to buy a brand new fuel pump as the three sensors are not able to be simply replaced, at a cost of £2300. Sensors, e.g. electronics, are "iffy" at the best of times, surely they should be easily replaceable, as this is a positively ridiculous price to pay to change one faulty sensor. This problem also can apply to Vectras.

14th Oct 2008, 05:40

I bought my 03 Zafira about 3 years ago. It has given nothing but trouble with the EGR valve becoming clogged and stuck open, causing the car to stutter and stall. Usually on a motorway slip road. Having had it replaced about 18 months ago; it has now clogged up again.

Tried talking to Vauxhall, but it was like banging your head against a brick wall, nobody could be bothered to listen. Had to pay a local Vauxhall garage just under sixty quid for a diagnostics test to tell me the fuel system needed flushing, spark plugs and throttle body replaced, and ECU updated, all costing me just under £300.

Having found out Zafiras often need this, I tried to suggest to Vauxhall there may be a manufacturing problem. Their call centre tells me it doesn't matter because the car is out of warranty.

A soon to be EX Zafira driver.

19th Oct 2008, 16:19

I am a buyer of a second hand 2002 model Zafira 2 litre DTi Elegance model. It was working fine for the first few days, and then I took it to the local garage for servicing. That is oil filter change, air filter and the diesel filter, as well as the air filter and the oil. When he started the car it could not start. He said that it is coz the air has gone in the diesel filter. So he tried to give it a long start, but in vain. Then they opened up some valve and bleed the system and got it started. But since that time, when I drive on the motorway above 60 mph, the car symbol with spanner light comes on. And it stays on till I stop and restart the car. It doesn't come on if I drive locally in speeds less than 60mph. But it does come on if I exceed that.

As well I can hear a buzzing noise coming out near the relay or battery, and it is louder when I start the car and go slower.

Can anyone help please, or have you had a same problem? Please give your comments here or e-mail me on sweetheartlove786@yahoo.com.

Yeah, not forgetting that the car doesn't lose power when the light is on. And since then I have noticed that car steering has gone hard, and when you really turn it makes a bit of funny noise.

Also, when I am driving on steep hills, and stop and brake, it makes a funny noise, and I can feel it on the clutch pedal or brake pedal.

Help please.