Moved up to an Insignia! .... and it broke :(

[Steev68]

Hi everyone, I'm Steve and I'm from north Wales. Having owned a Vectra C for the last 3 1/2 years I decided it was time I moved on up to an Insignia. I have wanted one for some time as I've always like the look. I bought a 2011 Sports Tourer in dark silver metallic and sports trim, very nice.

I got it home and for the first 40 miles it was great, but today, it started making a noise, like a pump, well, pumping. I parked it on the drive and went in the house. I came out an hour later and now the power steering won't work, the steering just won't turn without a lot of effort. There is also a battery warning on the dash and the battery light doesn't go out. What the hell happened?? :chindrop:

I am absolutely gutted. When I bought the Vectra I was hammered with repairs, I spent a fortune fixing every single common problem you could find on a Google search, I hope this is not going to be the same.

Just for clarification, it was not bought from a dealer, it was a private sale, so no comeback. it has 108,000 miles and a full service history.

If any of you geniuses out there have an idea what happened I would be most grateful.

Thanks all, and I'm looking forward to sharing some more positive stories in the future!!

[AJL]

Try looking to see if the polyvee belt is broken.

[exclusiv.]

Yes,,,as above,fanbelt gone

[Scotty K]

Welcome, sorry to hear about your problem. I brought mine with 10k miles on from a dealer and still have issues . If the battery light is on maybe its the battery? I used to own a focus st and if the battery was going flat it would cause absolute havoc with loads of things including the steering. I don't know much about the Insignia at the moment but maybe worth a check?

[marko301]

Welcome to the forum.....Hope you get it sorted!

[Steev68]

Hi mate, thanks for the reply. I just took a look with a torch, and would you believe it, the bloody belt is off!! How the hell did that happen?? It hasn't snapped, it's just come off. I need to get a manual tomorrow so I can see which way it goes back on, it looks like a real pain to do. Grrr

[Steev68]

And thanks, and hello, to everyone else too!! Must admit, it's a massive relief that is all it was, after the last car I was fearing the worst!

[AJL]

In the morning check the self tensioner pulley and any idler pulleys you can see. You may possibly have a problem in that area.

[Steev68]

In the morning check the self tensioner pulley and any idler pulleys you can see. You may possibly have a problem in that area.

Thanks again, I will. I think I'll get a new belt for it as well, if it's off anyway I might as well treat it to a new one!

[Lance]

Check the power steering fluid. I had the common leak, but this was spraying on to the belt and caused the belt to slip off. New power steering pipe and new belt all was good again.

[Steev68]

Morning everyone! Well, thanks to all the people that gave advice last night, the car is now up and running again, the Aux belt is on the all is well. After reading a little about these belt problems I realised that I had actually stalled the car whilst moving it (it seems to require a bit more throttle than the Vectra) and that must have caused the belt slip, bit odd that it hasn't been sorted at the dealer but hey ho, I'll pop in and see what they have to say.

Thanks again guys, your help is much appreciated!

[AJL]

Glad you got it sorted buddy

[L18ESK]

welcome