16th May 2008, 13:19

I have a zafira elegance 1.8 petrol, the EM light came on and it was diagnosed as an air mass meter fault, that was changed but the fault light remained, I was told it maybe the ecu it self that is faulty, and that I can buy a virgin (new) one that can simply replace the old one in a straight swap, can anyone advise if this is correct and where to buy one. it was suggested " bbs" or something similar have a web site. it would be great if I could just swap them over as I live in the channel islands, and sending mine away to be repaired may cause a long downtime on my car. Any advice would be much appreciated.

18th May 2008, 05:35

NO NO NO NO NO!

The garage are talking Bulls**t!

Have they read the ecu codes?

Ask them for the codes?

Google the fault codes and see for yourself!

If they are just second guessing, which sounds like they are, then telephone around you local garages, and ask them if they can read your fault codes, how much they would charge, and ask them what make of reader they use, you want them to be using either a 'Sun' 'Snap on' or 'Sykes Pickavant' these are all good ones, and ones that will definitely give you the right code.

The changing an ecu is really a last resort, and is not something that would be the most likely fault.

As I said in a previous entry, the most important thing is fault finding first, not second guessing and trying to put parts on.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Chris.

2nd Jun 2008, 13:17

Hi, I have had a 1.6 Club Zafira for 13 weeks. 4 of them have spent back at the dealerships. On two occasions, complete loss of power, and they replaced the starter motor and alternator. The last time the EM light came on, loss of power (car with spanner). Took it back to the garage, who have told me the car needed two gallons of oil. Would everyone who has had this problem agree that this would solve the problem, or would you want it looking into more? This car was only serviced at the end of Feb (where has all the oil gone?). I don't know much about cars, and I think the garage know that too. It's a 2002 1.6 Club.

4th Jun 2008, 19:23

I have a V reg Zafira 1.6, which today cut out, then smoke started coming out of the dash. Phoned the RAC out & they advised me that it's the starter motor that's burned out. He then went on to say that to repair it, it could run into thousands to fix, as it might need a new wiring loom. After the guy had gone I decided to check the electrics & everything seems to work i.e radio, windows, lights etc. The car just won't start, so can someone correct me if I'm wrong, but surely the wiring loom should be fine if the electrics are working?

21st Jun 2008, 07:52

Hi, I have an 04 reg Zafira Elegance 2.0 DTi and have a problem where when I turn the headlights on all the dash display lights go out. Has anyone experienced this before, or know how to fix it??? The garage has suggested calling in an electrical specialist to fix but I fear this could become expensive. We have also been suffering with the spanner light on + loss of power at high speeds problem, garage quoted £250+ to replace EGR Valve, but after reading previous posts I think we will try and clean it and/or replace it ourselves thank you very much!

Any help re the electrical problem with the dash display lights would be VERY appreciated please!...

26th Jun 2008, 11:23

I have just bought an "X" reg 1.6 petrol Zafira. Like everyone else, mine cut out at 50mph on the motorway. It got so bad (the engine cut out every time I took my foot off the accelerator) that I had to use my left "clutch" foot as the "brake" foot, to save the power assisted brakes from also failing.

Needless to say, I put the clutch in and accidentally braked very hard instead.

Hey Presto -the vehicle acted normally again.

Thinking about all that, I considered what a mass of fuel suddenly whooshing along a pipe might do. Did it clear something?

Then it occurred to me that no-one has yet talked about cleaning the fuel filter which is supposed to be under the back end of the car.

If all the electro-management systems are set to a standard setting (good 90 grade for my petrol car), this would not be set to include water or grunge from the forecourt serving tank (it happens!)

This compromised fuel is inefficient and probably electronically unmanageable - or - the grunge has overworked or partially blocked the fuel filter. Has anyone taken this filter out and cleaned or replaced it???

The above is a logic scenario and not (yet) a practical hands-on scenario.

This logic scenario also seems to have direct relevance for the same diesel engined problems.

Thanks to all previous pioneers. I spent a great deal of time on the internet trying to find you guys.

I really thought I had bought the Bee's Knees. Now I may about to be on my knees; fixing or praying for help.

What appalls me, after reading 100 of your comments is that Vauxhall have STILL not offered any help; open hearted or anonymously.

Gordon_tait@msn.com.

27th Jun 2008, 03:35

I have a 2005 Zafira last Wednesday the battery light came on while driving 20 minutes later all the lights on the dashboard came on and the whole car seized up, I had no power although the engine was still running, there was no acceleration, no brakes and no steering (an extremely frightening situation).

The Opel garage said it was caused by the alternator and have replaced this part, but I'm left confused as to how a faulty alternator could cause everything to seize up like it did.

I received my car back today and although it is running and there are no warning lights it just doesn't feel right, the steering feels sluggish, the car isn't running as smooth as it did and it seems a lot louder than it was, I can now feel the engine vibrating on my feet through the pedals.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or have any advise, I really don't want to risk being on the motorway and this happening again.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help

Michelle.