maxxo Posted February 23, 2020 Share Posted February 23, 2020 2 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said: ?? A joke or a common problem ?? very common problem, look out for picassos driving with their sidelights on....that's a quick fix for it it requires a new "comms2000" unit (basically all the stalks) Cookiesouwest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 The vectra - an update New stat and housing fitted yesterday. The car now warms up nicely. But now it gets too warm. Garage reported that the radiator cooling fan module is knackered. The only way to get the fan to kick in, is drive with the aircon on, which overrides the module and makes the fan work. From one extreme to another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Headlight Restoration - The lazy way Today I decided to try and restore the headlights on the Vectra. As I am essentially a bit lazy and last time I used a power drill on Mrs C's CRV I melted the headlight (it buffed out - kind of ), I decided to use this Had reasonably good reviews and figured it would be quick. Better than getting RSI from a power drill anyway. 1 Prep lights Give them a wash and mask paintwork 2. Use the wipe with the nasty chemicals in it. Wore latex gloves. Hour later hands still sting. Useful lesson. The chemicals are very nasty and cheap latex gloves are not thick enough. Keep wiping till the wipe is dry and no longer picking up residue from lights. Stand back and check lights 3 At this point they look worse than they did before! Decided to continue anyway Wiped them dry and then added sealant wipe. 4 All done Except the OSF looks worse than when I started, the NSF about the same. This was after an hour Conclusion Stop being a lazy bastard and do it properly. Wet and dry and power tools. Glad I tried it, but not impressed with results. stonedagain, theshadow and Lord Sterling 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Left vs right; 1 sheet of 1500 grit, dish-soapy water and some off brand cutting compound for paint I had sitting on the shelf ("Scratch-OUT" or somesuch) to buff it afterwards Total cost: 40 minutes and $3 of stuff for both lights Springer, Cookiesouwest and stonedagain 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelandeth Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Brasso worked a treat for the lights on my Cappuccino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 Well I def need a new plan. This is what they look like now. The cleaning wipes have just made them look terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Diesel Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 I used to use T-Cut on my old Astra G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Might it be entirely possible that some of the staining and deterioration is on the inside of the lens, not just the outside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 I used wet/ dry paper and 3m fast cut plis on the BM. I then sprayed them with uv sealer. Cookiesouwest and theshadow 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilA Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Tadhg Tiogar said: Might it be entirely possible that some of the staining and deterioration is on the inside of the lens, not just the outside? Nah, that's just lacquer peel, the clear-coat they put on the plastic has broken down with age and UV. Bren's approach is the best. Cookiesouwest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonedagain Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 3 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said: Well I def need a new plan. This is what they look like now. The cleaning wipes have just made them look terrible. They need a lot more rubbing down, the original UV protection coating needs to be completely removed. That's why your lamps are blotchy. Cookiesouwest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 I've ordered a new light restoration kit, so weather permitting, will have another attempt this weekend. Rant (mild one) - my vectra has a knackered radiator cooling fan control module. It's old (although to me, seems very new and modern), so the part is NLA - except two SAAB spares stores in USA, but they are ignoring my emails. So I have resorted to mailing scrappies. Despite having lots of Vectra C 1.8 CVT being broken (all of which had the part fitted at factory), none of them have one. Either the part is like a gilded bloody unicorn and they have a waiting list for them, or they cant be arsed to unbolt/unplug it from the back of the radiator I will continue running with the air con on, till I hunt down the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_bunter Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 You might have phoned them already.... Phone Yate car breakers. Ask if they have a vectra in. Turn up with tools and ask the old boy if you can have a rummage. If you look like you know what you are doing and are polite he might/will let you in. Last time I was there was last year and was looking at focus stuff so did not register anything else. Cookiesouwest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 Have you contacted autovaux or joined the vectra c forum? Somebody may be able to help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 6 minutes ago, Bren said: Have you contacted autovaux or joined the vectra c forum? Somebody may be able to help you out. I'm on the vectra c fb group. Did ask but no response. I suspect a lot of people are looking for the same part. It's not mega urgent, but would like to get it fixed at some point. I think autovaux was one of the companies I contacted. No luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 12, 2020 Author Share Posted April 12, 2020 Twitchy curtains. Following the disastrous attempt to polish the vectra's headlights, I bought a proper kit. Don't have off street parking. Went out to car and started to mask off, ready to start the job. Lots of twitchy curtains and a couple of 'tut tuts' from people out walking. Clearly restoring headlights is not deemed a necessary reason to leave the house. Will move the car to a more quiet location - local farm lane that is not in use - and start again, sometime in the week ahead. Found a breaker who has the part needed to make the rad cooling fans work part should arrive next week Since the HRV left, it's not been replaced, due to being outbid, being too slow, oh and the covid 19 lock down. Have found a mk4 astra convertible that is within walking distance - a VERY long walk - locally. Quite tempted if I can get price down a bit. Dealer has had it for a month, so hoping he is open to an offer. Will find out Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort1977 Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 On 3/12/2020 at 3:33 PM, stonedagain said: They need a lot more rubbing down, the original UV protection coating needs to be completely removed. That's why your lamps are blotchy. Polishing is easy, as above t cut or almost anything can get them shiny, it's the uv sealant that's key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Dentressangle Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 5 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said: Lots of twitchy curtains and a couple of 'tut tuts' from people out walking. I'm all for staying at home, but there are some people who I've always suspected would have quite enjoyed '30s Germany ? ProgRocker and Cookiesouwest 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 12, 2020 Author Share Posted April 12, 2020 5 hours ago, cort1977 said: Polishing is easy, as above t cut or almost anything can get them shiny, it's the uv sealant that's key. The kit I have is for both lights, but I'm going to use it all on one, so I can make sure I get all the old sealant off and have enough new sealant to put on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Just had a chat with the seller of car I am interested in. Plus points - two owners from new. Seller has had it 5 weeks (his Mrs as ordered him to sell it - don't think he had permission to buy it - naughty and basic error). Previous owner for 20 years. Ordered by owner when working abroad in the country of manufacture and specified right hand drive as he wanted to bring it home. History and had new water pump few days before current owner purchased it. Couple of small rust spots on bonnet, giffer mark on rear bumper. All electrics work - apparently. Needs oil change in approx a month. 164k on clock. Bit of a knocking sound when pulling away (maybe engine or sub frame mounts ??). Social distancing rules for test drive discussed. Seller indicated some wiggle room in price. So I have just booked tomorrow off work. Now working out best way of getting there (very long walk / lift / public transport)) Edit - am having second thought, as it's not an essential purchase. Will sleep on it. Maybe see if seller will take small deposit to hold till this all blows over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Well I slept on it. A restless night. In the current climate, I really cant justify the trip to view and collect. Hoping seller will take small deposit to hold the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 17 hours ago, Cookiesouwest said: very long walk Moderate length cycle? Cycling seems to be the one activity that is going completely unquestioned at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 It's exercise and it's keeping you sane. Seems pretty essential to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somewhatfoolish Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 On 3/17/2020 at 8:32 AM, Cookiesouwest said: I've ordered a new light restoration kit, so weather permitting, will have another attempt this weekend. Rant (mild one) - my vectra has a knackered radiator cooling fan control module. It's old (although to me, seems very new and modern), so the part is NLA - except two SAAB spares stores in USA, but they are ignoring my emails. So I have resorted to mailing scrappies. Despite having lots of Vectra C 1.8 CVT being broken (all of which had the part fitted at factory), none of them have one. Either the part is like a gilded bloody unicorn and they have a waiting list for them, or they cant be arsed to unbolt/unplug it from the back of the radiator I will continue running with the air con on, till I hunt down the part. If the replacement bit you've ordered turns out to be DOA/incorrect you could try fixing the one you've got; @cobblers may be able to mend it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Talbot said: Moderate length cycle? Cycling seems to be the one activity that is going completely unquestioned at the moment. Long walk would take about 10 hrs. Bike ride (if I was fit enough and didn't have a heart attack lol) bout 4 hrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 3 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said: If the replacement bit you've ordered turns out to be DOA/incorrect you could try fixing the one you've got; @cobblers may be able to mend it for you. Thanks. Will bare that in mind. Did find a scrappy willing to post part, but he has gone radio silent since Monday. Also found a guy in Dorset who has one, but it's a 50 mile drive. Not wise in current climate. Gonna wait till lockdown in over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 On 3/11/2020 at 7:27 PM, PhilA said: Left vs right; 1 sheet of 1500 grit, dish-soapy water and some off brand cutting compound for paint I had sitting on the shelf ("Scratch-OUT" or somesuch) to buff it afterwards Total cost: 40 minutes and $3 of stuff for both lights thats a brick wall tho Cookiesouwest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 43 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said: Long walk Bit of an understatement there then! Trains are still running and seem to be completely deserted.. Bike to a station and take it with you to get there perhaps? depends if there are stations anywhere near you or where you need to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 Sadly no train station near me or seller. We both live in the sticks. Chatting to him tonight. If he wont take deposit and hold it, I will have to gird my loins and run the roadblock risk, plus wraith of those who rightly say non essential travel is irresponsible at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiesouwest Posted April 22, 2020 Author Share Posted April 22, 2020 Inspection and hopefully collection day has arrived. Hopefully I remember the rules spartacus and Tickman 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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