Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail

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Tue 30 Jul 2013 19:39
Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail - exmechanicdave

I had 2 problems the ABS light was coming on regulary, this was cured by fitting an entire abs pump unit cost £20 from local yard, not a hard job, needed bleeding properly. Also the Airbag light was staying on and after reading it was probably the driver airbag squib behind steering wheel or connections under seats (all wrong in this case) it was the control unit that hides at the back of the centre console Voila instant cure.

Obviously electronics are made fast and cheap and can and do fail after plenty of use. Another last ditch way of saving your Airbag lit otherwise solid beauty from ending up 'scrap' is to remove the clock assemble cut the connection-feed to the airbag Positive and link it to the ABS so they both go off together, no airbags in a bump but we did manage ok for decades without them and they are not obligitory even now in most countries.

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Tue 30 Jul 2013 20:21
Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail - brum
Another last ditch way of saving your Airbag lit otherwise solid beauty from ending up 'scrap' is to remove the clock assemble cut the connection-feed to the airbag Positive and link it to the ABS so they both go off together, no airbags in a bump but we did manage ok for decades without them and they are not obligitory even now in most countries.

Try explaining that to the children of parents killed in an accident where the airbag light was hotwired.

Airbags, when fitted, are obligatory "must work items" throughout the EU.

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Wed 31 Jul 2013 11:31
Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail - TeeCee

Try explaining that to the children of parents killed in an accident where the airbag light was hotwired.

Ah, the "Oh noes! Think of teh childrens!!" argument. Do you write for the Daily Mail?

As the OP was taking about an old Vectra and you aren't allowed children in the front, it's perishingly difficult to imagine what possible relevance that crusty old battle cry of the safety nazis could have in this case.

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Wed 31 Jul 2013 12:17
Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail - HandCart

Children ARE allowed in the front, AFAIK - it's only rearward-facing baby seats that aren't, where there is a passenger airbag active. And on some cars the user can disable the passenger airbag with a switch. And what if you (hypothetically) were to swap the standard steering wheel for a Mountney (say) which didn't have an airbag? Or what if you surgically removed the passenger airbag from the dashboard and created yourself a little lidless glovebox?

Where does all that stand regards the MOT and legality, if it's all there plainly for anyone (including a future purchaser) to see?

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Wed 31 Jul 2013 12:47
Vauxhall Vectra B Vectra C - Vectra ABS Airbag warning light problems MOT fail - brum
Supplementary restraints

The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.

A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.

Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.

The vehicle will also fail if a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp indicates a system malfunction.

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