1988 OPEL VECTRA seats

MOTTest Checks REF•9
Seat belts and seats
Note: The following checks are applicable to
all seat belts, front and rear.
MExamine the webbing of all the belts
(including rear belts if fitted) for cuts, serious
fraying or deterioration. Fasten and unfasten
each belt to check the buckles. If applicable,
check the retracting mechanism. Check the
security of all seat belt mountings accessible
from inside the vehicle.
MThe front seats themselves must be
securely attached and the backrests must
lock in the upright position.
Doors
MBoth front doors must be able to be opened
and closed from outside and inside, and must
latch securely when closed.
Vehicle identification
MNumber plates must be in good condition,
secure and legible, with letters and numbers
correctly spaced – spacing at (A) should be
twice that at (B).
MThe VIN plate and/or homologation plate
must be legible.
Electrical equipment
MSwitch on the ignition and check the
operation of the horn.
MCheck the windscreen washers and wipers,
examining the wiper blades; renew damaged
or perished blades. Also check the operation
of the stop-lights.
MCheck the operation of the sidelights and
number plate lights. The lenses and reflectors
must be secure, clean and undamaged.
MCheck the operation and alignment of the
headlights. The headlight reflectors must not
be tarnished and the lenses must be
undamaged.
MSwitch on the ignition and check the
operation of the direction indicators (including
the instrument panel tell-tale) and the hazard
warning lights. Operation of the sidelights and
stop-lights must not affect the indicators - if it
does, the cause is usually a bad earth at the
rear light cluster.
MCheck the operation of the rear foglight(s),
including the warning light on the instrument
panel or in the switch.
Footbrake
MExamine the master cylinder, brake pipes
and servo unit for leaks, loose mountings,
corrosion or other damage.
MThe fluid reservoir must be secure and the
fluid level must be between the upper (A) and
lower (B) markings.MInspect both front brake flexible hoses for
cracks or deterioration of the rubber. Turn the
steering from lock to lock, and ensure that the
hoses do not contact the wheel, tyre, or any
part of the steering or suspension mechanism.
With the brake pedal firmly depressed, check
the hoses for bulges or leaks under pressure.
Steering and suspension
MHave your assistant turn the steering wheel
from side to side slightly, up to the point where
the steering gear just begins to transmit this
movement to the roadwheels. Check for
excessive free play between the steering
wheel and the steering gear, indicating wear or
insecurity of the steering column joints, the
column-to-steering gear coupling, or the
steering gear itself.
MHave your assistant turn the steering wheel
more vigorously in each direction, so that the
roadwheels just begin to turn. As this is done,
examine all the steering joints, linkages,
fittings and attachments. Renew any
component that shows signs of wear or
damage. On vehicles with power steering,
check the security and condition of the
steering pump, drivebelt and hoses.
MCheck that the vehicle is standing level,
and at approximately the correct ride height.
Shock absorbers
MDepress each corner of the vehicle in turn,
then release it. The vehicle should rise and
then settle in its normal position. If the vehicle
continues to rise and fall, the shock absorber
is defective. A shock absorber which has
seized will also cause the vehicle to fail.
2Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE ON THE
GROUND
REF

REF•10MOTTest Checks
Exhaust system
MStart the engine. With your assistant
holding a rag over the tailpipe, check the
entire system for leaks. Repair or renew
leaking sections.
Jack up the front and rear of the vehicle,
and securely support it on axle stands.
Position the stands clear of the suspension
assemblies. Ensure that the wheels are
clear of the ground and that the steering
can be turned from lock to lock.
Steering mechanism
MHave your assistant turn the steering from
lock to lock. Check that the steering turns
smoothly, and that no part of the steering
mechanism, including a wheel or tyre, fouls
any brake hose or pipe or any part of the body
structure.
MExamine the steering rack rubber gaiters
for damage or insecurity of the retaining clips.
If power steering is fitted, check for signs of
damage or leakage of the fluid hoses, pipes or
connections. Also check for excessive
stiffness or binding of the steering, a missing
split pin or locking device, or severe corrosion
of the body structure within 30 cm of any
steering component attachment point.
Front and rear suspension and
wheel bearings
MStarting at the front right-hand side, grasp
the roadwheel at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock
positions and shake it vigorously. Check for
free play or insecurity at the wheel bearings,
suspension balljoints, or suspension mount-
ings, pivots and attachments.
MNow grasp the wheel at the 12 o’clock and
6 o’clock positions and repeat the previous
inspection. Spin the wheel, and check for
roughness or tightness of the front wheel
bearing.
MIf excess free play is suspected at a
component pivot point, this can be confirmed
by using a large screwdriver or similar tool and
levering between the mounting and the
component attachment. This will confirm
whether the wear is in the pivot bush, its
retaining bolt, or in the mounting itself (the bolt
holes can often become elongated).
MCarry out all the above checks at the other
front wheel, and then at both rear wheels.
Springs and shock absorbers
MExamine the suspension struts (when
applicable) for serious fluid leakage, corrosion,
or damage to the casing. Also check the
security of the mounting points.
MIf coil springs are fitted, check that the
spring ends locate in their seats, and that the
spring is not corroded, cracked or broken.
MIf leaf springs are fitted, check that all
leaves are intact, that the axle is securely
attached to each spring, and that there is no
deterioration of the spring eye mountings,
bushes, and shackles.MThe same general checks apply to vehicles
fitted with other suspension types, such as
torsion bars, hydraulic displacer units, etc.
Ensure that all mountings and attachments are
secure, that there are no signs of excessive
wear, corrosion or damage, and (on hydraulic
types) that there are no fluid leaks or damaged
pipes.
MInspect the shock absorbers for signs of
serious fluid leakage. Check for wear of the
mounting bushes or attachments, or damage
to the body of the unit.
Driveshafts
(fwd vehicles only)
MRotate each front wheel in turn and inspect
the constant velocity joint gaiters for splits or
damage. Also check that each driveshaft is
straight and undamaged.
Braking system
MIf possible without dismantling, check
brake pad wear and disc condition. Ensure
that the friction lining material has not worn
excessively, (A) and that the discs are not
fractured, pitted, scored or badly worn (B).
MExamine all the rigid brake pipes
underneath the vehicle, and the flexible
hose(s) at the rear. Look for corrosion, chafing
or insecurity of the pipes, and for signs of
bulging under pressure, chafing, splits or
deterioration of the flexible hoses.
MLook for signs of fluid leaks at the brake
calipers or on the brake backplates. Repair or
renew leaking components.
MSlowly spin each wheel, while your
assistant depresses and releases the
footbrake. Ensure that each brake is operating
and does not bind when the pedal is released.
3Checks carried out
WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED
AND THE WHEELS FREE TO
TURN

Pierburg 2E3 carburettor- 4A•5
Piston rings- 2A•30
Piston/connecting rod- 2A•29
Plastic components- 11•3
Potentiometer- 4B•12, 4B•16
Power steering fluid - 0•14, 0•17, 1•2, 1•12
Power steering pump- 10•22
Power steering system bleeding- 10•22
Punctures- 0•8
RRadiator- 3•3
Radiator cooling fan- 3•5
Radiator grille- 11•12
Radio/cassette anti theft system- REF•5
Radio/cassette player- 12•18
Rear hub- 10•10, 10•15
Rear lamps- 12•11
Rear suspension assembly- 10•15
Relays- 12•3
Release bearing (clutch)- 6•6
Repair procedures- REF •4
Respraying- 11•2
Reversing lamp switch- 7A•6
Road test- 1•13
Roll bars- 10•8, 10•13, 10•17
Routine maintenance - 1•1 et seq
SSafety first!- 0•5
Scratches- 11•2
Seat belts- 11•21
Seats- 11•20, 11•22
Seats heated- 12•6
Selector cable (automatics)- 7B•4
Selector lever- 7B•4
Sender unit fuel level- 4A•4, 4B•8
Sender units (temperature gauge)- 3•6
Servicing - see Routine maintenance
Servo unit (braking system)- 9•15
Shock absorber- 10•11
Shoes (brake)- 9•6
Short-circuit finding- 12•2
Spark plugs- 1•3, 1•14, 1•16
Speakers- 12•17
Speedometer cable- 12•18
Speedometer drive- 7A•6
Starter inhibitor switch- 7B•3
Starter motor- 5•8
Starting problems- 0•6
Steering wheel alignment- 10•1, 10•24
Steering- 10•1 et seq
camber - 10•1 10•24
castor - 10•1, 10•24
column - 10•18
damper - 10•21
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•17gear - 10•21
power steering system bleeding - 10•22
power steering fluid - 0•17, 1•2
power steering pump - 10•22
shaft rubber coupling - 10•18
tie-rod end - 10•23
toe setting - 10•1, 10•24
wheel - 10•17
wheel bearing - 10•4, 10•9, 10•14
wheel with airbag - 12•20
Stub axle- 10•13
Subframe- 10•5
Sump- 2A•27, 2B•9
Sunroof- 11•13
Sunroof motor- 12•18
Sunroof switch- 12•5
Suspension- 10•1 et seq
anti-roll bars - 10•8, 10•13, 10•17
assembly (rear) - 10•15
coil spring (rear) - 10•12, 10•15
fault diagnosis - REF•12, REF•17
level control system - 10•14
lower arm (front) - 10•7
rear hub - 10•10, 10•15
shock absorber - 10•11
strut (front) - 10•6
stub axle - 10•13
sub frame - 10•5
trailing arms - 10•12, 10•16
wheel bearing - 10•4, 10•9, 10•14
Suspension/steering checks- 1•10
Switches:
brake lamp - 12•5
cooling fan - 3•6
courtesy lamp - 12•5
electric door mirror - 12•5
handbrake warning lamp - 12•5
hazard warning - 12•4
heater blower motor - 12•4
ignition - 12•3
indicator - 12•4
kickdown - 7B•3
lights - 12•4
luggage compartment - 12•5
oil pressure warning lamp - 12•5
push button - 12•4
reversing lamp - 7A•6
starter inhibitor - 7B•3
sunroof - 12•5
TTailgate- 11•5
Temperature gauge sender- 3•6
Temperature sensor (automatics)- 7B•5
Thermostat- 3•4
Throttle cable- 4A•5, 4B•9
Throttle pedal- 4A•5Tie-rod end- 10•23
Timing- 5•2, 5•13
Timing belt- 1•16, 2A•13, 2B•3, 2B•6
Toe setting- 10•1, 10•24
Tools and working facilities- REF•4, REF•6,
REF•7
Towing- 0•9
Trim panel (door)- 11•6
Tyre checks- 0•16, 0•17
Tyre pressures- 0•17
UUnderbody- 11•1
Underbody views- 1•7
Underbonnet views- 0•10, 1•5
Upholstery and carpets- 11•2
VVacuum servo unit (braking system)- 9•15
Valve lifters- 2A•24, 2B•9
Valves- 2A•5, 2B•2
Vehicle identification numbers- REF•3
Ventilation system- 3•1 et seq
Vents- 3•8
WWasher fluid- 0•13, 1•2
Washers- 12•13, 12•15
Water pump- 3•4
Weekly checks- 0•10et seq
Wheelalignment- 10•1, 10•24
Wheel arch liners- 11•12
Wheel bearing- 10•4, 10•9, 10•14
Wheel changing- 0•8
Wheel cylinder- 9•11
Window glass- 11•9
Window regulator- 11•10
Windscreen- 11•9, 11•12
Wiper blades- 0•15, 12•13
Wiper motors- 12•14
Wiring diagrams- 12•22 et seq
Index REF•27
REF