1988 OPEL CALIBRA check engine light

REF•8MOTTest Checks
This is a guide to getting your vehicle through the MOT test.
Obviously it will not be possible to examine the vehicle to the same
standard as the professional MOT tester. However, working through
the following checks will enable you to identify any problem areas
before submitting the vehicle for the test.
Where a testable component is in borderline condition, the tester
has discretion in deciding whether to pass or fail it. The basis of such
discretion is whether the tester would be happy for a close relative or
friend to use the vehicle with the component in that condition. If the
vehicle presented is clean and evidently well cared for, the tester may
be more inclined to pass a borderline component than if the vehicle is
scruffy and apparently neglected.
It has only been possible to summarise the test requirements here,
based on the regulations in force at the time of printing. Test standards
are becoming increasingly stringent, although there are some
exemptions for older vehicles. For full details obtain a copy of the Haynes
publication Pass the MOT! (available from stockists of Haynes manuals).
An assistant will be needed to help carry out some of these checks.
The checks have been sub-divided into four categories, as follows:
HandbrakeMTest the operation of the handbrake.
Excessive travel (too many clicks) indicates
incorrect brake or cable adjustment.
MCheck that the handbrake cannot be
released by tapping the lever sideways. Check
the security of the lever mountings.
Footbrake
MDepress the brake pedal and check that it
does not creep down to the floor, indicating a
master cylinder fault. Release the pedal, wait
a few seconds, then depress it again. If the
pedal travels nearly to the floor before firm
resistance is felt, brake adjustment or repair is
necessary. If the pedal feels spongy, there is
air in the hydraulic system which must be
removed by bleeding.MCheck that the brake pedal is secure and in
good condition. Check also for signs of fluid
leaks on the pedal, floor or carpets, which
would indicate failed seals in the brake master
cylinder.
MCheck the servo unit (when applicable) by
operating the brake pedal several times, then
keeping the pedal depressed and starting the
engine. As the engine starts, the pedal will
move down slightly. If not, the vacuum hose or
the servo itself may be faulty.
Steering wheel and column
MExamine the steering wheel for fractures or
looseness of the hub, spokes or rim.
MMove the steering wheel from side to side
and then up and down. Check that the
steering wheel is not loose on the column,
indicating wear or a loose retaining nut.
Continue moving the steering wheel as before,
but also turn it slightly from left to right.
MCheck that the steering wheel is not loose
on the column, and that there is no abnormalmovement of the steering wheel, indicating
wear in the column support bearings or
couplings.
Windscreen and mirrors
MThe windscreen must be free of cracks or
other significant damage within the driver’s
field of view. (Small stone chips are
acceptable.) Rear view mirrors must be
secure, intact, and capable of being adjusted.
1Checks carried out
FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT
1Checks carried out
FROM THE DRIVER’S
SEAT2Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE
ON THE GROUND3Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE
RAISED AND THE
WHEELS FREE TO
TURN4Checks carried out on
YOUR VEHICLE’S
EXHAUST EMISSION
SYSTEM

AABS components- 9•2, 9•16
Accelerator cable- 4A•5, 4B•9
Accelerator pedal- 4A•5
Acknowledgements- 0•4
Aerial- 12•17
Air cleaner- 1•3, 1•13, 4A•3, 4B•4
Air box- 4B•5
Air pump/cut off valve- 4C•2
Air temp control- 4B•5
Air vents- 3•8
Airbag- 12•19
Airflow meters- 4B•12
Alternator- 5•5
Alternator V-belt check- 1•12
Anti theft alarm- 12•19
Anti-roll bars- 10•8, 10•13, 10•17
Antifreeze mixture- 0•12, 0•17, 1•2, 3•3
ATF- 0•17, 1•2, 1•11, 7B•3
Automatic choke unit- 4A•9
Automatic transmission- 7B•1 et seq
cooler pipes and hoses - 7B•5
ECU - 7B•5
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•16
fluid - 0•17, 1•2, 1•11, 7B•3
kickdown switch - 7B•3
removal and refitting - 7B•6
selector control cable - 7B•4
speed sensors - 7B•6
starter inhibitor switch - 7B•3
temperature sensor - 7B•5
BBattery- 0•6, 0•15, 5•5
Bearings (engine)- 2A•31
Bleeding the brakes- 9•3
Bleeding the power steering- 10•22
Blower motor- 3•7
Body damage- 11•2
Body electrical systems - 12•1 et seq
Bodywork and fittings- 11•1 et seq
Bonnet- 11•4
Bonnet lock/release cable- 11•4
Boot lid- 11•4
Boot lid lock- 11•5
Bores- 2A•33
Brake checks- 1•12,
Braking system- 9•1 et seq
ABS components - 9•2, 9•16
backplate - 9•12
bleeding the brakes - 9•3
brake caliper - 9•8
brake disc - 9•10
brake drum - 9•11
brake fluid pipes and hoses - 9•18
brake lamp switch - 12•5
brake pads - 9•4
brake pedal - 9•21
brake shoes - 9•6
disc shield - 9•13
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•17
fluid - 0•13, 0•17handbrake adjustment - 9•18
handbrake cables - 9•19
handbrake lever - 9•20
master cylinder - 9•13
pressure valves - 9•18
vacuum servo unit - 9•15
wheel cylinder - 9•11
Bulbs- 12•2, 12•7, 12•11
Bumpers- 11•11
CCables:
bonnet release - 11•4
clutch - 6•2
handbrake - 9•19
selector automatic transmission - 7B•4
speedometer - 12•18
throttle - 4A•5, 4B•9
Caliper (brake)- 9•8
Camber- 10•1, 10•24
Camshaft- 2A•19, 2B•6
Camshaft housing- 2A•18
Camshaft oil seals- 2A•18
Capacities- 1•2
Carbon canister- 4C•4
Carburettor- 4A•5, 4A•11
Carpets- 11•2
Castor- 10•1, 10•24
Catalytic converter- 4C•3
Central door locking- 12•16
Centre console- 11•18
Cigarette lighter- 12•5
Clock- 12•6
Clutch- 6•1 et seq
cable - 6•2
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•15
pedal - 6•3
release bearing - 6•6
removal, inspection and refitting - 6•3
Coil- 5•9
Coil spring (rear)- 10•12, 10•15
Compression test- 2A•8
Computer components- 12•7
Connecting rods- 2A•29
Contents- 0•2
Control units- 4B•16, 7B•5
Conversion factors- REF•2
Coolant- 0•12, 0•17, 1•2, 3•3
Cooling, heating and ventilation systems-
3•1 et seq
blower motor - 3•7
coolant level sensor - 3•5
coolant pump - 3•4
cooling fan - 3•5
draining - 3•2
expansion tank - 3•5
fan switch - 3•6
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•15
filling - 3•2
flushing - 3•2
heater control panel - 3•6
heater matrix - 3•7
radiator - 3•3temperature gauge sender - 3•6
thermostat - 3•4
vents - 3•8
Courtesy lamp switch- 12•5
Crankcase ventilation system- 2A•7
Crankshaft- 2A•31
Crankshaft oil seals- 2A•26, 2B•6, 2B•9
Cylinder bores- 2A•33
Cylinder head- 2A•19, 2A•22, 2B•7DDents- 11•2
Depressurising fuel system- 4B•5
Differential bearing oil seal- 7A•3
Dimensions and weights- REF•1
Disc (brake)- 9•10
Distributor- 5•10
Door- 11•6
handle - 11•7
inner trim panel - 11•6
lock key battery - 1•13
mirror - 11•11
Driveshafts- 8•1 et seq
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•16
gaiter - 8•4
joint renewal - 8•4
Drum (brake)- 9•11
EEarth fault finding- 12•2
ECU’s - 4B•16, 7B•5
EGR components- 4C•2
Electric windows- 12•15
Electrical fault finding- 12•2
Electrical system (body)- 12•1 et seq
Electrical system- 0•14, 5•2
Electrical system fault diagnosis- REF•12,
REF•18
Electronic control units- 4B•16, 7B•5
Engine:
bearings - 2A•31
camshaft - 2A•19, 2B•6
camshaft housing - 2A•18
camshaft oil seals - 2A•18, 2B•6
codes - 2A•1, 2B•1
compartment - 0•10, 1•5
compression test - 2A•8
connecting rods - 2A•29
crankcase ventilation - 2A•7
crankshaft - 2A•31
crankshaft oil seals - 2A•26, 2B•6, 2B•9
cylinder bores - 2A•33
cylinder head - 2A•19, 2A•22, 2B•7
dismantling - 2A•12
DOHC - 2B•1 et seq
electrical systems - 5•1 et seq
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•13
flexplate (automatic transmission) - 2A•26
flywheel - 2A•26
main and big-end bearings - 2A•31
mountings (engine/transmission) - 2A•12,
2B•3
Index REF•25
REF
Note:References throughout this index are in the form - “Chapter number” • “page number”

oil and filter renewal - 0•17, 1•2, 1•9
oil cooler - 2B•10
oil level - 0•12
oil pump - 2A•28, 2B•9
piston rings - 2A•30
piston/connecting rod - 2A•29
removal - 2A•8, 2B•3
SOHC - 2A•1 et seq
sump - 2A•27, 2B•9
timing belt - 2A•13, 2B•3, 2B•6
undershield - 11•13
valve lifters - 2A•24, 2B•9
valves - 2A•5, 2B•2
Environmental considerations- REF•4
Exhaust manifold- 4C•5
Exhaust system check- 1•11, 4C•5
Expansion tank- 3•5
FFan (radiator)- 3•5
Fault diagnosis- REF•12 et seq
automatic transmission - REF•12, REF•16
braking system - REF•12, REF•17
clutch - REF•12, REF•15
cooling system - REF•12, REF•15
driveshafts - REF•12, REF•16
electrical system - REF•12, REF•18
engine - REF•12, REF•13
fuel and exhaust systems - REF•12, REF•15
manual transmission - REF•12, REF•16
steering - REF•12, REF•17
suspension - REF•12, REF•17
Flexplate (automatic transmission)- 2A•26
Flushing (cooling system)- 3•2
Flywheel- 2A•26
Foglamp- 12•11
Fuel and exhaust (carburettor) systems-
4A•1 et seq
Fuel and exhaust (fuel injection) systems-
4B•1 et seq
Fuel and exhaust systems - emissions-
4C•1 et seq
Fuel and exhaust systems:
accelerator cable - 4A•5
accelerator pedal - 4A•5
air box - 4B•5
air cleaner - 1•3, 1•13, 4A•3, 4B•4
air pump/cut off valve - 4C•2
air temperature control - 4B•5
airflow meters - 4B•12
automatic choke - 4A•9
carbon canister - 4C•4
carburettor - 4A•5, 4A•11
catalytic converter - 4C•3
control unit - 4B•16
depressurising fuel system - 4B•5
EGR components - 4C•2
exhaust manifold - 4C•5
exhaust system check - 1•11, 4C•5
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•15
filler cap - 11•13
fuel filters - 1•3, 1•14, 4B•6
fuel flow damper - 4B•8
fuel injector(s) - 4B•13
fuel level sender unit - 4A•4, 4B•8
fuel pressure regulator - 4B•10
fuel pump - 4A•3, 4B•6fuel tank - 4A•4, 4B•7
fuel vapour separator - 4A•4
idle speed/mixture adjustment - 4A•7,
4A•12, 4B•9, 4B•11
inlet manifold - 4A•12, 4B•17
knock sensor - 4B•17
lambda sensor - 4C•4
manifolds - 4A•12, 4B•17, 4C•5
mixture (CO) - 4A•7, 4A•12, 4B•9
oxygen sensor - 4C•4
Pierburg 2E3 - 4A•5
potentiometer - 4B•12, 4B•16
throttle cable - 4A•5
throttle pedal - 4A•5
Fuses- 12•1, 12•3
GGear selector linkage- 7A•2
Gearbox - see Manual or Automatic
transmission
Gearbox oil- 0•17, 1•2, 1•15
Gearchange lever- 7A•3
Glass- 11•9
Glossary of technical terms- REF•20
Glove compartment- 11•18
HHandbrake adjustment- 9•18
Handbrake cables- 9•19
Handbrake lever- 9•20
Handles (door)- 11•7
Hazard warning switch- 12•4
Headlamp alignment- 12•10
Headlamp unit- 12•9
Headlining- 11•19
Heater blower motor switch- 12•4
Heater control panel- 3•6
Heater matrix- 3•7
Heating systems- 3•1 et seq
Horn- 12•8
Hose and fluid leak check- 0•9, 1•9
Hoses brake- 9•18
IIdle speed/mixture/adjustment- 4A•7,
4A•12, 4B•9, 4B•11
Ignition coil- 5•9
Ignition switch- 12•3
Ignition system- 5•2
Igniton timing- 5•2, 5•13
Indicator lamps- 12•11
Indicator switch- 12•4
Injector(s)- 4B•13
Inlet manifold- 4A•12, 4B•17
Input shaft (clutch) oil seal- 7A•4
Instrument panel- 12•6
Interior lamps- 12•8
Interior trim panels- 11•14
Introduction to the Vauxhall Cavalier- 0•4
JJacking and vehicle support- REF•5
Jump starting- 0•7
KKickdown switch - 7B•3
Knock sensor- 4B•17
LLambda sensor- 4C•4
Lamps- 12•8, 12•9
Leaks- 0•9, 1•9
Light switch- 12•4
Locks bonnet- 11•4
Locks door- 11•8
Locks tailgate- 11•6
Lubricants and fluids- 0•17
MMain and big-end bearings- 2A•31
Maintenance - see Routine maintenance
Maintenance schedule- 1•4
Manifolds- 4A•12, 4B•17, 4C•5
Manual transmission- 7A•1 et seq
differential bearing oil seals - 7A•3
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•16
gear selector linkage - 7A•2
gearbox oil - 0•17, 1•2, 1•15
gearchange lever - 7A•3
input shaft (clutch) oil seal - 7A•4
overhaul -7A•5
removal and refitting - 7A•4
reversing lamp switch - 7A•6
speedometer drive - 7A•6
Master cylinder (brake)- 9•13
Mirrors- 11•11
Mixture (CO)- 4A•7, 4B•9
MOT test checks- REF•8
Mountings (engine/transmission)- 2A•12,
2B•3
NNumber plate lamp- 12•11
OOil change- 0•17, 1•2, 1•9
Oil cooler- 2B•10
Oil filter- 1•2, 1•9
Oil pressure warning lamp switch- 12•5
Oil pump- 2A•28, 2B•9
Oil seals:
differential bearing - 7A•3
general - REF •4
camshaft - 2A•18, 2B•6
crankshaft - 2A•26, 2B•6, 2B•9
Oils- 0•17, 1•2
Open-circuit, finding - 12•2
Oxygen sensor- 4C•4
PPads (brake)- 9•4
Paintwork damage- 11•2
Parts- REF•3
Pedals
brake - 9•21
clutch - 6•3
throttle - 4A•5
REF•26Index