Lord Sterling's fleet of failure - Small win

[Fumbler]

7 hours ago, MikeR said:

Dont forget the rear bumper mountings behind the wheels . they rot well !

Discovered that when I removed the rear bumper. Might need to do it again to prevent the tinworm.

[Lord Sterling]

A few weeks ago, Ma_Sterling left for the the Isle of Wight, the Grey roffle Micra was to go with her, however, Grey roffle Micra killed its newly-fitted battery. So the Vectra took over the role of transporting Mother_Sterling to Isle of Wight. A few hiccups were had on the way but we eventually got there:

Back here on the mainland, the focus was now to get the Micra sorted. After being sacked from work, I had a bit more time, so I went and took the Micra down to my mates garage who had it for a few days. The battery was replaced and exhaust sealed up again.

However, upon getting the Micra back, it wouldn't start, another battery dead. Head-scratching time. I spent the day trying to diagnose the problem;

The battery was replaced but after taking it out for a run, the battery light of DOOM came on:

Then getting home, it wouldn't start again, it turned over very slowly, so I disconnected the battery. 

This morning I reconnected the battery expecting it not to start and having visions of having to seek jump cables to jump start it, however it actually started like a good 'un so off it went on the 17 mile journey to the garage to get the alternator sorted. I was hoping the battery would make it, and it did just about, it died a few hundred yards from my mechanics garage:

I jump started it and got it there, I also saw my other faithful steed still awaiting attention:

It'll be back home with me soon.

Mechanic referred me to an alternator specialist in Smethwick. Getting there in the Micra was a struggle, every mile or so of the 4 mile journey having to stop and re-jump start the battery with a jump pack but I got there eventually;

PROPA BACK STREETz garage.

Went for a walk. Ain't Smethwick lovely;

Anyway, £75 supply and fitted and the Micra now has one sweet alternator with a 1 years guarantee;

Next stop for this car hopefully is the Isle of Wight!

[theshadow]

have rustproofed there yesterday on red micra,has some giffer owned shields added at the rear to keep rot away,painted on red rust buster,than sprayed aldi finest matt black,than black under seal, all done without the luxury of a ramp,and was raining,watch out on the dist cap they are getting rare,mine had hitachi cap harder to find,they try fob you off with normal one,it needs intermotor 46994,got one on fleabay,blueprint no longer stock it,only the one you dont need,changed the oil it was minging...

[Bren]

Vectra porn. 

[Lord Sterling]

23 minutes ago, Bren said:

Vectra porn. 

Ah yes. I had this before, 2.2 SRi DTi;

Its been sold and now I am driving this 1.9 SRi CDTi:

Still negotiating actually buying it, I really do like it.

[Lord Sterling]

Just for the record and keeping my fleet news in one thread;

This happened during the disastrous trip to Isle of Wight where the Micra wouldn't play ball and the Vectra had two very shreded tyres up front;

After getting back from the 'Wight, I'd managed to source 2 front tyres for it and then on my way home from work I got the car into a local tyre place who changed the tyres and did the tracking as it was way out causing the front tyres to shred the inner part of the tyres;

The same thing happened with the old Vectra B. But I'd sorted that out before it got sold;

Vectra C is now a happy old thing plodding along and I absolutely love it.

Also, I checked out a mates pre-facelift Vectra C 3.2 V6 Elite. NICE:

Anyway, too much Vectras going on here. I'll stop now....

[HMC]

Glad it’s not just me, I really like mine too...

(Prefacelift 1.8LS - first owner hertz)

[Lord Sterling]

On 20/09/2019 at 12:11, HMC said:

Glad it’s not just me, I really like mine too...

(Prefacelift 1.8LS - first owner hertz)

Love it. That Vectra looks great. Registered not far from where I live. 

I reckon if Birmingham City Clowncil complete on their threat to ban diesel cars from Brum centre, I'll be looking for a petrol Vectra like yours.

[Lord Sterling]

The headlights on the Vectra were very cloudy, visited my mate who owns the V6 Elite Vectra and he gave me some cutting compound;

You might be able to see some difference, it certainly took a coat of whatever it was that was coating the headlight. I'll need to T-cut and polish them further for better results but they are certainly a lot better.

Also, as I am typing this, I am watching Police Camera Interceptors or whatever its called where a Black Vectra C is being pursued.

[Sir Snipes]

How does the Vectra B compaire to the C?

[Lord Sterling]

On 20/09/2019 at 21:07, Snipes said:

How does the Vectra B compare to the C?

I've driven a couple of Vectra Bs, First one was a V-reg 1.6 LS in 2008. I drove it from Birmingham to Telford and back again. I found it surprisingly refined, unhurried but could pick up speed when pushed.

For me at the time, it was a treat to drive something so "new" but I knew I had something special in the form of Mk1 827s. Though it was nice to try something different for a change and made me think about a more down-to-earth everyday car.

The second Vectra B the 2.2 SRi DTi 130 wasn't so refined, though this is probably because it was an "SRi" which still meant something around the time they were still current. It was lowered, had Recaro seats and had been remapped. Though it did put a big smile on my face when I brought it back why ay man-land. It was a rough diamond that needed some love breathing back into it. What I hadn't anticipated was getting bored of it quickly, I wish I hadn't because its such a great looking car abd very clean and solid for age. It was fairly brash and unapologetic, and it still brought the occasional smile to my face when the loud pedal needed to be nearer the floor.

The first time I drove a Vectra C would have been in about 2011/12. I was working at my friend Mahmoud's garage and driving a 1987 Rover Sterling. Part of my job was moving cars down the road to park them somewhere safe as space was severely limited by the garage. Vectra Cs never really registered on my radar until I very briefly drove this lovely example:

Despite the drive being very brief, it made such an impression on me that I began to really rate and notice Vauxhalls of this era. This Vectra C to me was a world away from the Bs yet still in keeping with it's no-nonsense quality. It was nice, quiet and refined, bigger in space with more road presence, a new brave style yet unassuming and unboastful.

To me Vauxhall had nicely carved out itself a market of making a good product that did what it said on the tin; the transportation of people and/or other to various destinations with no fuss, pomp or fanfair, yet still interesting and well-known enough to be able to sell itself. The Vectra C didn't need to play the silly 'brand' game, that for the likes of Mercedes and BMW. Vauxhall were a bit like a useful handyman, great at practical stuff and just does what it does, Mercedes and BMW used to do this but got fat, lazy and expensive. 

This particular example, photographed in 2012, was so clean and nice, a car that seemingly was well looked after compared to others, it really made me wake up and notice.

I suppose at this point in my life, I knew that what I was driving Mk1/Mk2 800s Sterlings were really classics or becoming classic vehicles, I really wanted an everyday, unassuming car that did what I wanted it to do. But it took a very long time before I got there.

I briefly drove this Oxford-registered taxi too:

Not as a job, just a car that was at the garage for work, it was a 1.9 CDTi but was constantly in limp mode so it really wasn't going anywhere fast.

Which bring us onto this:

1.9 SRi CDTi estate.  I was originally borrowed this for a week or two when the B went in for some gearbox remedial work. I fell in love with the Vectra C straight away. Its looks, the way it drove etc... so much so that when it had to go back, I actually felt a real pang of not wanting to give the C back. This Vectra C reminded me how much I liked this era of Vauxhalls, how much more refined, and how much more road presence and good at being an everyday motor they were. Yet I was remind was that the engines weren't as tough as the Vectras of old. Everyone and his dog seemed to want to have a go at parroting myths about the C being rubbish compared to the B, yet the B was rubbish compared to the Cavalier and so on......

Whatever, to me its a great looking car and it does what I want it to do. They really have registered on my radar now, there is an identical petrol one running about this town. They are still current enough to find them with ease (in Telford, every second car is a Vectra C, usually on an 07/08 plate), yet unloved enough to be cheap and good enough to be an everyday family car. For me they are at the pinnacle of where they need to be.

As I have said before, as "an car" they are great, they just do what "an car" is supposed to do.

[Sir Snipes]

I really fancy one too. Probably a 1.8vvt or 150bhp dizzle in SRi flavour.  

[dozeydustman]

Got to admit that I find the Vectra B a handsome car. The C is more of an acquired taste in terms of looks.

[New POD]

Vectra A was far better all around. 

[Mrcento]

21 hours ago, Lord Sterling said:

. Everyone and his dog seemed to want to have a go at chucking myths about the C being rubbish compared to the B

And everyone seems to also parrot the line that the Vec C is several leagues behind the Mondeo of the time to the point it was barely even competition for it. It really isn't. The Vectra is very underrated.

They both fit the jack of all trades title but are opposites of each other where their biggest strengths lie.

The Mondeo is the better back road car, nicer weighted steering, more feel, nicer turn in but is a bit firmer at low speeds and a bit noisier on the motorway from road, engine and wind noise. The Vectra is a better cruiser, softer ride at all speeds, more refined, engines pound for pound a little punchier for overtaking v the Mondeos etc. Would say the Vectra feels a little more premium inside in general, the Mondeo has a few more scratchy thin plastics dotted about... the interior a little more insulated feeling (some would say claustrophobic, but i think it's just the right side of that and feels more "cosy") v the Mondeos slightly airier feel.

if i had to pick one where 80% of my driving was country roads, i'd have the Mondeo, but if my driving was more motorway and town, i'd lean more towards the Vectra, 

Vauxhalls of that era are underrated v the Fords for some reason, i guess it's because of the Top Gear generation all watching Clarkson savage the Vectra and Astra VXR's for how they handled on a track.

[Lord Sterling]

Now that Micra has been repaired it has been taking me to the IoW:

Micra was polished in the weekend as its really the only time it may ever get one.

For the more eagle eyed among you, you might notice it has gained a small badge on the right side of the tailgate. It's a 'Glyn Hopkin' Nissan dealer badge that I found at Mahmouds garage. Its the same colour as the Micra which was originally supplied by Glyn Hopkin and still has the rear dealership numberplate. I stuck it on and promptly fell off so spread on some loctite glue and chucked it back on.

It needs the cig-lighter thingy looking at as it doesn't work. Fuse is ok so probably the wiring or connections.

Fin!

[Lord Sterling]

Well, I tried ?...

Vectra has always had a heater that doesn't work properly. It works on setting '4' and even then it needs a tap on the side below the centre console from the drivers footwell to make it work. Heater works and gets nice and toasty in the car when needed but as Fatha_Sterling put it; it looked a bit like Onslow from KUA tapping the top of his TV to switch it on/off, hitting the side to get the thing to work ?

So I bought another heater panel. Thinking I was clever (which clearly I am not) I bought a higher spec one, except the rear connections are different;

Er...yeah...

Anyways, whatever, it was so cheap its not worth my time sending back. I'll sell it on again for profit.

I bought another identical panel from a car of the same spec as mine. Fitted in today and...

Same results as the old panel. ?

Ok, whatever, I'll try and fit the aux cable I bought for the Vectra some weeks back so I can at least listen to stuff from my phone.

Nope. Soz. No can do. Block is an all-in-one job. *grumble* ??

RIGHT. FINE. Well, lets see where this cable goes....

Soz, no can do. It disappears downwards somewhere where the side panel of the centre console will need to be removed.

Panel:

Nope. Sorry, can't be removed unless you remove the glovebox which means half sticking yourself out of the passenger door and it is raining, heavily today. 

Fuck this. I'm going home for a cup of tea ?

[Noel Tidybeard]

fan speed 4 only will be the speed control resistors or hedgehog in BMW circles

if your lucky its accessable without muchos disssemble

 

[Lord Sterling]

On 10/15/2019 at 5:37 PM, Noel Tidybeard said:

fan speed 4 only will be the speed control resistors or hedgehog in BMW circles

if your lucky its accessable without muchos disssemble

 

Cheers man. I saw a resistor in the car the first time I'd had it, so I assumed it had been fitted. I'll buy another one and see what the deal is. Or get Mahmoud to order one tomorrow seeing as I'll be there most of the day. I've seen how it can be done so hopefully its fairly easily done.

[Noel Tidybeard]

shame it isn't as easy as a Nissan Primevil- that was literaly look up above footrest/clutch pedal, 2 screws & wire connector

[Cavcraft]

+1 on the resistor, won't be an expensive job  I don't think.

[Lord Sterling]

I think it can be easy. It's literally next to the blower motor. I *may* not need to completely remove the glovebox but if so, its pretty easy anyway. It'll hopefully be sorted by tomorrow as well as a few extra small lights like the numberplate light and wipers that need changing. 

[Noel Tidybeard]

while you got your Mahmouds sleeves rolled up you might as well check for damp

[Lord Sterling]

Well. A few days ago I took the Vectra for an MOT. Suffice to say it didn't pass;

So I excepted the work to be done;

Spotted a nice Vectra 'Design' that looked like it had a nice interior:

Vectra finally has an MOT pass. Rear pads done, rear spring and brake pipes all sorted. Here we are today posing with another Vauxhall/Opel product;

Heater will have to be sorted another time.

[Andyrew]

Congrats on the mot.

Worn more on one side? Sticky caliper? 

[Lord Sterling]

18 hours ago, Andyrew said:

Congrats on the mot.

Worn more on one side? Sticky caliper? 

Cheers man. Yes, sticky caliper is a possibility. I never knew the rear pads were differing in thickness until I presented it for MOT. 

[Lord Sterling]

Since I got my car back there has been a slightly annoying beep when using the indicators. When it hasn't been pouring down I've managed to verify that all of the indicators are in working order, front, rear and sides so I'm not sure why this beeping is occuring;

[Floatylight]

Since I got my car back there has been a slightly annoying beep when using the indicators. When it hasn't been pouring down I've managed to verify that all of the indicators are in working order, front, rear and sides so I'm not sure why this beeping is occuring;

Has it got a towbar fitted, could be damp in the trailer socket as there is probably a sounder in the boot somewhere..

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[Lord Sterling]

55 minutes ago, Floatylight said:

Has it got a towbar fitted, could be damp in the trailer socket as there is probably a sounder in the boot somewhere..

Yes, there is a towbar. Strange as there is a cap door on the trailer sockets. I'll spray some WD40 and see if there is any difference.

[Floatylight]

Yes, there is a towbar. Strange as there is a cap door on the trailer sockets. I'll spray slme WD40 and see if there is any difference.

I think they will have checked the towing electrics as part of the test..

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