Uncategorised

Start-Stop Battery Systems

Originally introduced in 2009, the ecoFLEX versions of the popular Vauxhall Insignia series now incorporate the company’s Start-Stop system.

As these vehicles begin to drop out of the franchised dealer network and enter the independent sector, workshops, and the technicians undertaking service and repair work on these variants, need to bear in mind that they will not be fitted with traditional lead-acid starter batteries. Instead these models will use an AGM battery such as a VARTA® Start Stop and will therefore require specialist knowledge and equipment to ensure the correct removal and installation process is followed.

VOSA have issued two recalls:

• One for the operation of the electric windows not correctly sensing that things, including fingers and limbs etc., are in the way when the windows are powered up causing them to become trapped. FPS recommends to replace the window motor as the cure.




• Other cars have been recalled due to the steering wheel air bag not being correctly mounted resulting in the possibility that it could separate from the steering wheel horn plate if deployed in an accident. The resolution is to replace the airbag module, says FPS.

Information for your pre 2013 Vauxhall Insignia is listed below:

• Oil pressure switches are a weak point for this car, along with other Vauxhall models, this part being the highest selling Cambiare part for the model. The replacement can be driven by the failure of the electrical contacts leading to a potentially costly repair if the engine suffers a loss of oil pressure and is unable to warn the driver. Oil leaking from the body of the switch is another reason for replacement, so technicians looking to resolve leaks should look here as a starting point.

Sven Nielsen, Technical Director from MEYLE, says the following difficulties may arise with the Volkswagen Polo:

Worn out control arm bushings

Problem:

Rubber mounts rank among the most vulnerable automotive components. Designed to absorb the high effective loads occurring during acceleration and braking and to stabilise the control arm, they are subject to critical levels of strain.

The fourth-generation Volkswagen Polo was unveiled in 2002 with a range of 1.2-, 1.4-, and 1.6-litre petrol engines and 1.4- and 1.9-litre diesel engines.

Castrol points out that every engine in the Volkswagen Polo Mk4 range can run on fully-synthetic Castrol EDGE 5W-30 engine oil. The oil filler cap even carries a Castrol recommendation, serving to remind motorists and workshops what the best lubricant is for their engine.

Volkswagen Polo (9N3) in production between 2005 and 2009

Suspension

SUPLEX advises that Polo 9N3 models left the factory with one of three different suspension settings: standard, sports or rough road. Most vehicles will have left the factory with standard suspension but the factory sports option – standard on all 1.8 L GTI and 1.4 L TDI BlueMotion models - included uprated springs which lowered the chassis by 15 mm. All CrossPolo models were equipped with rough road suspension requiring special springs which increased ride height by 15 mm. When replacing tired or broken springs, technicians need to order the appropriate parts to avoid ride height and handling problems.

VW Polo up to 2009

• Both oil and charge warning lights illuminated intermittently, loose wiring loom socket on rear of instrument cluster.

• 1.4 TD PD engine overheating issue, various reports of loose water pump impeller (plastic type).

• ABS warning light on intermittent fault with no fault codes recorded, bad earth to pins 13 and 38 of the ABS module.

• Scraping binding noise from rear brakes when reversing slow, replacing the pads only fixes for a short term - modified callipers available.

VW Polo to 09

Corteco has identified a suspension issue on certain models in this range. The replacement part concerns those fitted with manual transmissions. The component is the rear engine mounting. The part number is 80001055, which features in the latest Engine Mountings Catalogue, just published.

Noises from the transmission oil on a VW Polo 1.2-litre (9N_)

Reference number(s): 35A7

Fault symptoms:

Increased wear on transmission.

Noises in the 1st and 2nd gear from the transmission region.

Causes:

Wrong transmission oil used.

Remedy:

Gearbox oil change

If the action has already been accomplished, there will be a sticker in the region of the spare wheel recess, the toolkit, or the driver’s footwell, and the action is documented in the service booklet.

Procedure:

ZF Services UK offers advice on correct installation of replacement bushes on the front and rear suspension of the Volkswagen Polo

Front wishbone

A modified bush design (LEMFÖRDER part no. 34559 01) is available for the rear mounting of the Polo front wishbone. It does not bear the rubber nodule of the earlier bush to aid alignment during fitting, so use the following procedure: