WE Auto Services

This isn't that rare...
https://youtu.be/TrwNmSw-0NI

Vauxhall zafira 1.8 petrol review.

This isn't the first vauxhall I have had and I have has the SRI as well as a Vectra which all had the same engine the 1.8 petrol. The active is rathe high gear but it's returns as much MPG as the Vectra and a little more than the better Sri model.

Parts for vauxhall are in the middle to cheap, so keeping up on maintenance is not difficult.
Disc pads and springs are fairly common as well as tie and track rods, but to a lesser degree that the Renault's.

The zafira is a narrow car and has a small feel to it over others, such as the grand espace. The boot is tiny with the seats up, and thee not easy to put down either, the grand scenic wins there.

Comfort wise there isn't much in this class, but I do prefer the Renault over all. It is a more refined drive and a better hard wearing interior. Though the exterior of the zafira has aged well.

The engines all have the same live with faults, rattle from the vvt/vanos. On start up, Renault being worse and around £180 to put right. Getting the cam belt changes also at the same time.

The engines rocker on the ecotec breaks, it's not a bad repair if caught as it can suck all the oil from the engine in seconds. The Renault will have vvt issues and can put the timing out.

Not a great car but works, a little cramped. Worth it as a fix.

When you have a abs fault.

Abs lights or SRS. (Anti brakes system, safety restraint system) is often very very costly, you cannot legally drive your car on the road and it won't pass a MOT.

This image was a cost of just £180.00
Vauxhall price £****

So what's happened?
The mechanics who fitted the wheel bearing that has the abs sensor internally had not clipped back the wire correctly, leading to it running on the CV joint.
The shorting wire blew the abs unit (ECU) as it is a live excited system.

The ECU from vauxhall is around £750. The bearing £230. Plus a diagnosis fee and fitting fees.

How did we do?
Saving money, we purchased a used abs ECU and new bearing and it all worked as it should. The unit came with a 90 warranty. We could have fixed the old ECU, but for time and cost there was little point.

On other cars it has been down to wiring, a break In The wires to the sensors, damaged rings (a bumpy ring that the sensor uses)
To fuses or even connections.

Old skool v tech crew...

Being 35 years in mechanics and engineering obviously gives insight into life before computers and everything electronic.
The abs and srs systems are both independent and carry out limited functions.

Per tech crew. If you plug in the computer it would come up with no problems, it couldnt see a abs system, which put a light on the dash.
After fitting the new abs, if it wasn't a fuse or look fault it could be read, however it wasn't much help until you got to read live data from the car which pin points the fault.

Old skool was simple.
Pull plug and test abs ECU.
Pull connections and loom test.
Faults found. Parts ordered car fixed.

Can abs SRS fault be cleared?
Yes, depending on the fault. It's usually a good idea to understand why, and if the issue can be stopped occuring again. As you would have a illegal car and repeating costs.

Often it is the connections under the seats for SRS systems, for abs it's rings or inner wheel arch connections.

Prices vary from around £30.
That includes diagnosis and repair. A usual dealer price of £160+.

2003 Corsa 1.2 manual petrol.

This car came in with issues, like no brakes...
It's been fixed as we replaced all the rear brake lines and a caliper.
We also put on some 16" alloy wheels from the Corsa d.

It's got MOT until 12 of October.

The clutch works and the head gasket isn't blown, which is always a good start for these cars.

It's had a recent battery and exsaust.

Faults and fixes.....
As usual we name all the issues we can see and this car will need a rear shock in the next year or two (about £18.)
Rear spring in about two three years (about £12)
A drop link (£8) or top mount (£12).

Not bad work for the next MOT, but we can do it if required.
It's a clean car, but 3 door, so more suited to a learner or young driver, it's got a tracker fitted.

One key, starts and stops.
£495.00