Knight in shining armour time again... Xo)
HF, the headlight switch (the rotary one by your right knee!) - turn it clockwise one click for sidelights, another click for dipped headlights, and pinch it between thumb and forefinger and PULL IT one click towards you - Hey presto, inside light comes on!!!
And that rotary wheel thing next to the headlight switch is for adjusting the brightness of your instrument panel lighting. Yes, when I first had my Cavalier I thought there was a wiring problem with the speedo illumination, then I realised my big clumsy fingers were moving the dimmer switch when turning the headlights on!
Your foglight switch, IIRC, is next to the heated rear window switch. More than once I've been following a misted-up Vauxhall which has switched its fogs on!
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Knight in shining armour time again... Xo)
Oh dear - well thanks Knight for your rescue, yet again! I've managed to suss out the one turn for sidelights (which apparently I shouldn't be using anyway) and the further turn to dipped headlights. I've even managed to work out full-beam, believe it or not. HOWEVER, never knew that I could pull out the 'rotary switch' to make inside light come on! Amazing, will try it in the morning!
I have noticed the 'rotary thing' near my headlight switch - but have presumed to leave it well alone, thinking that it was related to the outside lights (as in headlamps etc, rather than the inside instrument panel! I'll give it a try tomorrow and see what happens!
I think you're right about the foglight switch too - since neighbour pointed out that I'd had them on, have just kept them off all the time (no serious fog)
And I can undestand your frustration at following a Vauxhall with fogs on, it ws probably me!
Thanks Knight,
HF
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There's a few other non-obvious little tricks and treats on those Astras, HF, most of them depend on what trim level you've got though. Do you know how to change the height of the top seatbelt mounting, to make the belt fit correctly according to how tall the driver is?
Do you know how to alter the headlight aim to compensate for carrying a heavy load in the boot?
Has your Astra got central locking? If so, are you aware of the deadlock function?
Has it got electric windows? If it has, do you know how to close both of them while locking the door with the key?
And... you do know how to dip the rear mirror to avoid dazzle at night, don't you? I'm not being patronising, these are just some of the things that I've been asked to explain before by female friends!
Hope this finds you well,
DTD.
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Hi DTD, thanks for your posts and hope I am findng you well too :) Now the full extent of HF's ignorance is about to be revealed.
> what trim level you'vegot though.
Erm, don't know what trim level even means, presumably to do wih diffeent functions/extras etc that were made when the car was first new.
But you've made me look at a few things today! First of all, tried pulling out the rotary headlamp dial, and lo and behold, there appeared an interior light! Thanks!
Do you know how to change the height of the top seatbelt mounting, to make the belt fit correctly according to how tall the driver is?
I didnt even know this was posible until you pointed it out to me, but checked today and sussed it out.
Do you know how to alter the headlight aim to compensate for carrying a heavy load in the boot?
Yes and no, I think after reading yourpost I have some idea. ear the headlights switch, there is a dial that goes from 0 to 3, and has a picture of plus or minus dipped lghts. Have always left it as it was left by the previous owner, because I had no idea what it was for. Can I just ask, is 0 the right setting for an unladen car, or the other way round?
Has your Astra got central locking? If so, are you aware of the deadlock function?
Yes it has central locking, just with key not this new-fangled infra-red thing. And I have no idea about the deadlock function, or even what this means.
Has it got electric windows? If it has, do you know how to close both of them while locking the door with the key?
No electric windows, thank goodness, the less electricals I have to worry about the better.
And... you do know how to dip the rear mirror to avoid dazzle at night, don't you? I'm not being patronising, these are just some of the things that I've been asked to explain before by female friends!
I *know* you're not being patronising Dave, and I'm not sure wha you ean about dipping the rear mirror at night to avoid dazzle. I know how to move the mirror, of course, but not sure what you mean about dipping it.
This is all very much appreciaed, DTD, and is helping me a lot i my quest to learn. I have one further question, which I'm sure will sound silly too - but I have a switch with a picture o a car on it, above an orange line - again have thought to leve well alone - but I am puzzled as to what it means.
As I said the other day, I am not yet in possession of a handbook, and of course if I was, I would know all the answers and not have to keep asking you!!!! Of course.
Thanks DTD,
HF
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Erm, don't know what trim level even means, presumably to do wih diffeent functions/extras etc that were made when the car >> was first new.
Correct, HF. All to do with that badge on the back (or on the front wings/doors) A "GL" will have slightly more extras than an "L" model, but a "GLS" will have more extras than a "GL" for instance.
there is a dial that goes from 0 to 3, is 0 the right setting for an unladen car, or the other way round?
Correct again, HF. 0 = unladen, 3 = fully loaded up with passengers and boot also full.
Yes it has central locking, I have no idea about the deadlock function,
If you can turn the key left from the vertical position to a horizontal position, and then able to remove the key, you have dead locking. If however you can only turn the key 45 degrees to the left and then back to a vertical position to remove the key, then you don't have central locking. The term deadlocking means that if a lowlife thief were to smash a window, if he tried to lift up the buttons to unlock the doors, nothing would happen - they would remain locked. However, the more experienced lowlife has now figured out how to get around the deadlock system on older cars like yours - sorry.
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HF,
Also depending on what age the Astra is, to turn on the heated rear screen, you might have to pull out the heater fan speed switch, and obviously push it in again to turn off.
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Hi Dynamic
Confused now - I THINK that when I pull out (or push in, not sure which offhand) the heater speed fan switch, is when the foglights come on. I THINK my heated rear windscreen is to the right of the steering wheel - but will have to double-check in the morning, Sorry to sound so 'd'oh' (tying in with the thread) but I really am on a learning process here, and the more info I get the better!
Thanks
HF
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HF, from memory you've got a Mk3 Astra, with the separate radio display (correct me if I'm wrong?). The foglight switch should be just above the headlight switch.
My memory fades when trying to remember where the heated rear screen switch is. I first thought you pulled the heater motor speed switch, but on reflection that was only on the Mk1 and Mk2 Astra. I think Vauxhall moved it on the Mk3 to a button under the fan speed and temperature control switches. The picture on the switch should have 3 wavy lines on it though.
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Hi Dynamic.
>>If you can turn the key from the vertical position to a horizontal position...
Yes I can, so I have deadlocking, take your point about it being pretty useless in this day and age though.
>>from memory you've got a Mk3 Astra, with the separateradio display (correct me if I'm wrong?). The foglight switch should be just above the headlight switch.
Don't know if it's a Mk3, only that it's a 1992 J-reg, but you're spot on about the radio display, and the foglight switch being just above and to the left of the headlight switch, have just had a look.
My memory fades when trying to remember where the heated rear screen switch is. I first thought you pulled the heater motor speed switch, but on reflection that was only on the Mk1 and Mk2 Astra. I think Vauxhall moved it on the Mk3 to a button under the fan speed and temperature control switches. The picture on the switch should have 3 wavy lines on it though.
Your memory is excellent - on this one occasion the answer is half-way between your 2 suggestions! The switch with 3 wavy lines is in the middle of the fan speed switch, and is turned on by pulling this fan switch out.
Thanks for your help,
HF
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Don't know if it's a Mk3, only that it's a 1992 J-reg,
Yep, it's a Mk3.
Your memory is excellent
Only because I (and also Family) have owned and driven Vauxhalls for the past 16 yrs. Dad's always had Astra's, from the first model they made, right up until present day - that's why I'm so familiar with them. I have owned a Mk1 Astra, several Cavaliers, and now a Vectra.
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HF
I hate to ask this, but:
(a) Did you get an instruction book with the car?
(b) Have you bothered to read it?
Unfortunately, many people don't believe it's necesary as there are so many common items in cars these days, but there are always a few 'oddities' that catch them out - and the Vauxhall interior light switch is the classic. The other one I can think of is the strange operation of the Nova rear wiper - difficult to switch off unless you knew the trick.
Seriously though, there's a lot to be got from the instruction book and it's worth at least one read. There's a safety aspect to this too - driving around isn't the time to be learning where the switched are! If, for example, it saves you driving around with misted up windows it could save an accident.
Regards
John S
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HF, Did you get an instruction book with the car?
John S,
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=8952&m...e
Read the last paragraph :o)
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Hi John S,I hate to ask this, but: (a) Did you get an instruction book with the car? (b) Have you bothered to read it?
As Dynamic has kindly pointed out to you on my behalf, I am still waiting for the instruction book, and will definitely read it when I get it. Seriously though, there's a lot to be got from the instruction book and it's worth at least one read. There's a safety aspect to this too - driving around isn't the time to be learning where the switched are! If, for example, it saves you driving around with misted up windows it could save an accident.
I agree - which is why, in the absence of said book, I'm so grateful to all you kind people on here who are explaining the things I need to know.
Don't worry,I'm not driving around dangerously misted-up and trying to locate switches. I know where all the vital ones are, it's just a few extras (like as you said the interior light) that are different from my previous car that I'm unfamiliar with.
HF
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Don't worry,I'm not driving around trying to locate switches. I know where all the vital ones are...
HF, have you found the ejector seat, bullet proof screen, and rocket launcher switches yet? :o)
Clue, they're disguised; DON'T press the Hazard Warning Light Switch unless absolutely necessary :o)
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HF, have you found the ejector seat, bullet proof screen, and rocket launcher switches yet? :o) Clue, they're disguised; DON'T press the Hazard Warning Light Switch unless absolutely necessary :o)
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:D Thanks for the tip - seems I need that handbook sooner rather than later! At least I know now what the so-called sunroof is for - I'll try to keep it open in case I accidentally activate the ejector seat. Wish I'd known about the rocket laucher when that 'road rage' bloke had a go at me the other week.
After your long history of Astras, Dynamic, do you know what that switch with the picture of a car on it is? It's in the middle, near the ashtray.
HF
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After your long history of Astras, Dynamic, do you know what that switch with the picture of a car on it is? It's in the middle, near the ashtray.
Is that the one with an arrow entering it? If so, it's the recirculator switch, so you can either select fresh air from outside the car, or recirculate the existing air inside the car. Handy when following smokey Fords, or cattle trucks :o)
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Is that the one with an arrow entering it? If so, it's the recirculator switch, so you can either select fresh air from outside the car, or recirculate the existing air inside the car. Handy when following smokey Fords, or cattle trucks :o)
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No, there's no arrow entering it. It's a long rectangular button, with just a car above an orange line on it. I've seen the same thing on someone else's 1.6 M-reg Astra, but they didn't know what it was either.
HF
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>> After your long history of Astras, Dynamic, do you know what that switch with the picture of a car on it is? It's in the middle, near the ashtray. HF
HF
Been following your thread - having owned a MK3 Astra estate, that switch is the re-circ for your ventilation, it limits the fresh air intake when switched on, so cutting out smoke, fumes etc when needed.
Baz
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> Been following your thread - having owned a MK3 Astra estate,that switch is the re-circ for your ventilation, it limits the fresh air intake when switched on, so cutting out smoke, fumes etc when needed. Baz
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Hi,
thanks Baz, for clearing that up for me, and eternal apologies to Dynamic who was right all along! Please forgive me, Dynamic, and thanks again to Baz.
HF
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Hi again, sorry but I have one final question. This is to Dynamic, DTD, and Baz.
Just underneath my headlight switch, there is a dial, can't explain this well but it's not a vertical round dial which you just move around by holding the switch and turning it, but I would say a circular but horizontal button, with notches, built into the framework of the car, that can be moved left or right - trying to think of a way to explain properly, it's like a volume button on an old radio - turn it one way for up etc. There is nothing on this dial at all to tell me what it's for. Since it's right below the headlight switch, I wonder if it's related to that. But would welcome any opinions/knowledges! Sorry for all this, and for all the people I've irritated, I WILL get the handbook soon, so please put up with me just a little while longer!
Thanks
HF (trying but still c**p with Astra buttons!)
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Just underneath my headlight switch. I would say a circular but horizontal button,
HF, That'll be the dashboard light brightness/dimmer switch.
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>> Just underneath my headlight switch. I would say a circular but horizontal button, HF, That'll be the dashboard light brightness/dimmer switch.
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Missed this one last night - thanks Dave. It doesn't seem to affect the brightness of the dashboard lights - maybe it's faulty.
HF
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>> HF, That'll be the dashboard light brightness/dimmer switch. Missed this one last night - thanks Dave. It doesn't seem to affect the brightness of the dashboard lights - maybe it's faulty.
Yes, HF, if not rotated regularily, they can go faulty. Normally though the dash lights will flicker on/off rather than brighten/dim smoothly if it is faulty. Maybe the previous owner disconnected the wires from the switch and just connected them together instead. What you could try doing is rotating the switch back and forth a few times to see if you can wake it up.
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What you could try doing is rotating the switch back and forth a few times to see if you can wake it up.
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Will do, cheers Dynamic.
HF
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HF,
Yes, dashboard dimmer, that's right - don't worry if doesn't work, it's only a "nice to have"! While I remember, I believe the headlamp adjuster motors can also play up and are expensive to replace - again, probably not cost effective.
Baz
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Hi Baz, and to you too Dynamic,
Actually I have sussed that it *does* in fact work - thanks Dynamic for the tip, I think I was wrong all along in the supposition that it wasn't working - (won't tell you why!) but it certainly seems in full working order after a few turns of the dial.
Thanks
HF
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Re: HF, dashboard dimmer switch:-
I think I was wrong all along in the supposition that it wasn't working - (won't tell you why!)
HF, could it be that you didn't have the headlights turned on maybe?
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Hi Dynamic,
Erm.....not quite. Ok I'll come clean, seeing as I don't have a technical reputation to maintain anyway.
First of all, it was the radio lights that I was looking at, not the dashboard lights. Then, when I realised my possible error, it was daytime, and although I turned the lights on, the daylight made it impossible for me to see the dimming/brightening of the panel. Don't say a word - please!
HF (just living up to my name)
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Ok I'll come clean, Don't say a word - please!
OK, I won't mention anything about the lights being on, but no one at home :o)
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>> Ok I'll come clean, >> Don't say a word - please! OK, I won't mention anything about the lights being on, but no one at home :o)
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No, best left unsaid. Would hate to see anything slandering my amazing abilities as a car-tech wizard. ;)
HF
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Hi HF. I did wonder if maybe you'd done it in the daylight but didn't like to ask! :)
Don't worry though, your technical reputation is still intact! :)
Blue
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Hi HF. I did wonder if maybe you'd done it in the daylight but didn't like to ask! :) Don't worry though, your technical reputation is still intact! :) Blue
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Hello Blue,
You should have said! I have just been through and confessed a supremely stupid moment - and feel really silly about it.
But if you ever have any comments at all about my extremely ignorant and untechnical posts - please just write them! You can't offend me, I am now unoffendable!
And yes, my reputation as far as technical things go must be intact!!!!! Thanks for pointing that out Blue - some people might thnk you were taking the pee, and the other 0.000001% might not.
Well, nearly bedtime - but Blue don't take seriously any of that above stuff - only messing around, you know i have a high opinion of you and would never pick an argument!
Take care Blue and happy uni-ing,
HF
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Oh dear
I know I promised no further questions - but there is just ONE more, if you don't mind. After this I think I will have full knowledge of my Astra buttons.
Underneath the steering wheel column, just about at the point where my knees are about to touch it, there is a small almost square (3D square I mean) piece of plastic, that can be pulled out of the place where it's meant to be. It's connected by wires to *something*, and on this piece of plastic there is a switch, one side of which says 'sensor', and the other side says'manual off'. I've left it alone because I'm sure ex-owner has a lot more knowledge than me, but would still like to know what it's for. Sorry for the extra question, this really will be the finl one abot knobs and switches, I assure you!
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I know I promised no further questions - but there is just ONE more, Underneath the steering wheel column, just about at the point where my knees are about to touch it, there is a small almost square (3D square I mean) piece of plastic, that can be pulled out of the place where it's meant to be.
You've finally stumpted me HF. I have absolutely no idea. Is it on the left or the right of the column? A complete guess would say that is where the manual choke should be, should it have had one fitted.
It's connected by wires to *something*, and on this piece of plastic there is a switch, one side of which says 'sensor', and the other side says'manual off'.
Puzzled?Sounds like an on/off switch for the motion detectors (ultrasonics) That is of course if the Astra has an alarm fitted. shrugs shoulders.
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You've finally stumpted me HF.
No, I don't think I have! It's right in the centre of the column, and the car doesn't have manual choke. However......
Puzzled?Sounds like an on/off switch for the motion detectors (ultrasonics) That is of course if the Astra has an alarm fitted. shrugs shoulders.
Yes!! I think you've got it! There IS an alarm fittd, only it doesn't work anymore. Guess that's what the sensor was for!
Congratulations on your 100% record!
HF
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I am sure the alarm explanation is right.
On my car (Pug 405) there is a push button there which turns the internal sensors off.
Our dogs are so good in the car (cage in the back) that it's easy to forget they are there when you stop to go into a shop. I've lost count of the number of time I've been in a shop, heard our alarm go off and realised that once again I've forgotten to push that damn button.
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eternal apologies to Dynamic who was right all along!
Well I was right about what the switch did, but wrong about the picture on it. I gave you a description of the Vectra's re-circ switch picture.
Please forgive me, Dynamic,
Oh, ok, just this once :o)
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>> Please forgive me, Dynamic, Oh, ok, just this once :o)
Eternal gratitude :)
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