Vectra Diesel 2.0 Starting problem

[Steve H]

My mechanic replaced everything except the injector pump and the injectors, costing over 2-3000 euros with labor. He said that if he changed the pump that may not solve the problem because it could be the injectors, costing around 600 euros each, or the pump over 1,000 E. He finally put a hand pump on the fuel line and if it won't start I give it a few pumps and have someone turn the key and it starts right up. I must always keep it pointed downhill when I park it and keep the tank over one quarter full. Does anyone have the final solution, other than the guy that installed an electric fuel pump on the fuel line that turns on with the ignition? At least we have lots of hills to park on in Andorra

[micky p]

The starting problems started to get worst. Used to be every few days even when I had used it in the morning wouldn't start until 4 - 5 turns of the engine when I came to start it later in day.
Changed globe plug relay no change.
Changed leak off pipes and the cars been running now for a whole week with no futher starting problems - so fingers crossed thats cured it.Cost about £14 for new pipes did repair myself.
Worth trying!

[BlueTazDevil]

Had similar problems and it was the leak off pipe to the pump that had a small split, £2.75 for 1 mtr at local auto parts.

[fazli]

HI,

I start to have problem with Vectra 2.2 DTI in the morning, if the car its in horizontal place i need too tray 4-5 times for starting, otherwise if i leave the car in downwards with face down the car its going to do (ging ging and brummm), that's mean with first time start engine to work. But after that i don't have the problem all days notwithstanding where i leave the car. The problem its happens just if its long time 6 to 12 hour without working and in horizontal place.

Please if somebody can help me.

[Andrew1701]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help me, My vectra SRI 130 02 Diesel, conks out if the fuel gets under 10 Litres. Once car is refilled to 60, it is fine until 10 L again. items Changed: Fuel filter cap, fuel filter to injector pump pipe, small valve in return hose connector from injector pump back to tank, bleed off pipes two years ago, It seems if the pump does not have enough suck, or there is a restriction in the fuel tank, can anyone help?

BR Andrew

[Chiefwiggum]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help me, My vectra SRI 130 02 Diesel, conks out if the fuel gets under 10 Litres. Once car is refilled to 60, it is fine until 10 L again. items Changed: Fuel filter cap, fuel filter to injector pump pipe, small valve in return hose connector from injector pump back to tank, bleed off pipes two years ago, It seems if the pump does not have enough suck, or there is a restriction in the fuel tank, can anyone help?

BR Andrew

This could be whats just happend to me then! car was running fine, then cut out with out warning, few coughs and splutters. the RAC man took both flow & return pipes off the fuel filter and nothing coming through, yet the thumb wheel did bleed fuel. i thought the scavenger pump in the tank was knackered, but looking at the fuel gauge its just about 10L might try and stick a bit of fuel in and try again!

[Andrew1701]

Hi fazli vbmenu_register("postmenu_1615211", true);
VxON Member
is your car ok now, if not it sounds like the bleed off pipes, replace these first. BR Andrew

[paulb87539]

Have you dropped the tank, never seen inside one myself but sounds like there has to be something in the tank if it happens everytime the fuel level gets to 10ltrs that or the tank sender is playing up and you are actually empty at 10ltrs.
Cheers
Paul

[lock1506]

Hi Andrew 1701, my vectra does the same. The last time it did it i took the sender unit and in tank filter out at the road side. The tank was still quater full and the pick up pipe was on the bottom of the tank and clear. I had to put another two cans of fuel in to get it started. This fault happens every time my car drops below 10l so i would like to know if anyone has a cure other than staying above half a tank. Thanks Chris

[wurzelgummage]

i'd heard of this problem but didnt believe it - that is the craziest sh1t ever. ive read somehere here that people change the tanks to cure this problem - probably something with the level / sender etc

[jma]

check the earth strap onto bodywork might need a clean or a tighten up

[zudrick]

I'm having a starting problem with mine, if it catches first time i'm lucky but if it don't then it takes ages turning over and it's chucking clouds of smoke out the back-end until it fires up. Once it's been started it's fine anyone got any idea whats wrong?

[steven.f.]

had my 2.0dti vectra for 5 years problem is for the last 3 years only in winter my car will some times not start and battery dies after 2 tries do not have this problem the rest of the year. had new battery fitted and new glow plugs but still the same can someone please adviseme thanks

[brikhead]

had my 2.0dti vectra for 5 years problem is for the last 3 years only in winter my car will some times not start and battery dies after 2 tries do not have this problem the rest of the year. had new battery fitted and new glow plugs but still the same can someone please adviseme thanks

Hello and welcome to the site!
Does the glow plug light come on when you first start the engine in the morning? I would check that you have voltage at the top of each glow plug.

[fronteraorg]

could be the injector seals a good place to have them checked is hi tech diesels in bury

[brikhead]

could be the injector seals a good place to have them checked is hi tech diesels in bury

Surely they would cause starting issues every morning? Not just in winter.

[steven.f.]

yes glow plug light comes on and once car starts in morning its fine for the rest of the day.how would i check if there is voltage at the top of each glow plug . thanx

[bigfrag329]

Hi,

I have a 97 Vectra B X20DTL and I have a starting problem. I will describe it:
It doesn`t want to start first try randomly. Sometimes it starts first try, other times it takes 6-7 tryes to start it... When it eventually starts, it starts imediately without holding the starter motor too much... It doesn`t seem to be affected by engine temperature or outside temperature... In the winter it soemtimes started on very cold days first try other times it didn`t... Now in very warm weather it sometimes starts sometimes doesn`t. It doesn`t matter if I leave it for a long time or a very very short time... Sometimes it starts first time in the morning after 24 hours siting other times if I drive it for 2 hours, stop and try to start it doesn`t start first time... I mounted a one-way valve on the diesel hose before the filter... I changed the leak-off pipes from the injectors... Nothing. I measured the curent going into the fuel injection pump (Bosch VP44) and it`s the same with ignition on when it starts and when it doesnt... Engine light never comes on and Tester doesn`t see any issues...

What can it be? If anyone knows anything or has any advice please let me know.

Thanks

ok... I've spent over 500 quid over the past 2 months on my 2.0 Vectra Diesel Wouldn't start if parked facing uphill and periodically if parked normally. no rhyme or reason, just when it wanted to. I found the problem last weekend and I could park the little darling upside-down now if i wanted and she'd still fire up first flick of the key...... the solution? the small plastic connectors between the small lengths of fuel leak off pipes at the front of the engine. i changed the actual pipe weeks ago, but, didn't check the connectors. A small crack in the first "T" connector was enough to let air in and stop her starting. 99p from the local pet shop (aquarium pipe connectors) and, as i said, starts first time every time. I am a very very happy bunny. 220K on the clock and looks like going now for a fair while yet. I really hope this is the same for you.

Dave