The popular Vauxhall Vectra has many dashboard warning and information lights. these lights display a symbol that informs the driver of either a safety warning, a warning that may damage the engine or simply to provide information.
The dashboard warning lights listed may vary slightly depending on the year and county in which the Vauxhall Vectra was manufactured. Each symbol listed is explained with a full meaning and in some cases an explanation on what should be done. Dashboard warning light use different colours to inform of their importance.
For instance, green or blue light colours provide information to the driver, whilst yellow or orange tend to provide a warning.
Red symbols, and especially flashing lights signify a situation that may require immediate attention. Understanding the warning lights found in your vehicle help to keep your vehicle in optimum running and safe condition.
Vectra clutch and brake warning light
This warning light illuminates or flashes red. Light initially illuminates when the ignition is switched on. Light will remain on to signify the handbrake is applied, or if the brake and clutch fluid levels are too low. Check brake and clutch fluid reservoir levels.
Airbag and seat belt tensioners warning light
The airbag and seat belt tensioners light illuminates red. If dashboard light illuminate whilst the engine is running, this signifies a fault in the airbag system, seat belt tensioners system or seat occupancy recognition. System will need to be checked by a workshop as soon as possible as airbags may not deploy in an accident.
Engine coolant temperature light
The coolant light illuminates in red. If the light illuminate red whilst the engine is running, stop the vehicle as soon as safe to do so and turn off the engine. High temperatures risk engine damage. Check engine coolant levels though be sure to allow engine to cool before doing so as scolding may occur. See what is engine coolant and how to check engine coolant for further details.
Vectra preheating and diesel particle filter light
This dashboard light will illuminate or flash yellow with diesels with particle filters. The preheating system only activates when outside temperatures are low. Light flashes where filter cannot self-clean automatically. The light will flash when cleaning starts (at normal engine running temperature) and takes around 20 minutes to complete. Continue to drive as normal.
Alternator and battery dashboard warning light
This battery warning light illuminates or flashes red. Symbol will illuminate when the engine is switched on and should extinguish a few seconds after the engine starts. If the light flashes whilst starting the engine, this signifies the battery voltage is too low. This could be due to a faulty battery or electrical system and must be checked by a workshop.
If the light illuminate whilst the engine is running, stop and turn off the engine. The battery will not charge and engine cooling may be interrupted, potentially causing damage to the engine. Effect of brake servo unit may stop in diesel vehicles. Check drive belt condition and tensioning. For further details regarding your vehicles battery, See car battery life expectancy and maintenance for help.
Vectra car with spanner warning light
This Vauxhall Vectra car with spanner warning light illuminates or flashes yellow. Light will illuminate for around 3 seconds when the ignition is switched on. If the fault light illuminates whilst the engine is running, this signifies a fault within the engine or gearbox electronics system.
The system will switch to emergency mode where fuel consumption may increase and the vehicles drivability reduced. A Vauxhall workshop must be consulted. If the light flashes whilst the engine is running, this signifies a fault within the electronic immobiliser system and the engine will not be able to be restarted.
Exhaust gases / emissions warning light
The Vectra exhaust gasses / emissions warning light illuminates or flashes yellow. Light illuminates with ignition and extinguishes shortly after. If light illuminates whilst engine is running, this signifies a fault in the emission control system. The legal emissions quantity may be exceeded. If the light flashes, it signifies a fault that may cause damage to the catalytic converter. In either situation, contact a Vauxhall workshop.
When the check engine / engine warning light comes on, diagnostic equipment is required to read fault codes. The engine warning light is generic and therefore there can be many potential faults associated with it. Most vehicle workshops have diagnostic tools or they can be purchased online.
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
The Vauxhall Vectra tyre pressure monitoring system light will illuminate or flash red. If light illuminates, check tyre pressure immediately. If the light flashes, this signifies a considerable pressure difference. Stop immediately to check tyres. If light flashes yellow, this signifies a fault within the monitoring system See tyre legal limit for information on having too high and too low pressure in tyres.
ELECTRO HYDRAULIC power assisted steering
The Vectra power steering light illuminates in red. If the light comes on, it signifies a fault in the electro hydraulic power assisted steering system. The vehicle can still be steered although a considerable amount of force is required compared than usual. A Vauxhall workshop must be consulted.
Engine oil pressure and oil level
The engine oil pressure light illuminates red when the ignition is switched on and shortly goes out. If the light illuminates whilst the engine is running, this signifies engine oil pressure is low. A lack of engine lubrication may occur resulting in damage to engine components. As soon as safe to do so, pull over, stop and turn off ignition.
Check oil levels and if sufficient consult a Vauxhall workshop before attempting to start the engine. The engine oil level light illuminates yellow if oil levels are low. See how to check engine oil for further information. If oil level are sufficient, seek the assistance of a workshop.
Worn brakes light
The Vauxhall Vectra circle with dashed, or sectioned lines either side is a warning light signifying that the front brake pads are wearing low, or the sensors that detect wear are faulty. Low brake pads can be dangerous as it impairs the braking performance of the vehicle. You may notice it takes longer to slow or stop the vehicle or that it starts to pull to one side whilst braking.
Vauxhall Vectra anti-lock brake system (ABS)
The Vectra ABS light illuminates in red. If the light comes on whilst driving, this indicates a fault within the ABS system. The vehicle brakes will function though stability issues may occur on certain road surfaces. See the Anti-Lock Braking System guide for understanding what ABS is and how it works.
Continuous Damping Control warning light
The Vectra Continuous Damping Control light illuminates yellow. this system actively manages the vehicle suspension, making the ride firmer and more level in sports mode. Control is managed on each individual wheel. If light illuminates whilst driving, this signifies a fault in the system.
Seat occupancy recognition dash light
The Vectra seat occupancy recognition light either flashes or illuminates on the odometer display. If the light illuminates, the seat occupancy recognition has detected a child restraint system that has transponders in the device. In this situation, front passenger airbags are disabled. If the light flashes, there is either a fault in the system or the child restraint with transponders is fitted incorrectly.
Start engine light
The foot on pedal dashboard light illuminates yellow. This is the Easytronic engine start symbol that illuminates if the brake pedal is not depressed. the warning light will extinguish as soon as the brake pedal is depressed. The Vectra engine can only be started when the brake pedal is depressed.
Coolant level warning
The Vectra engine coolant light illuminates yellow when coolant levels are low. If the light illuminate whilst the engine is running, stop the vehicle and turn off the engine when safe to do so. Allow for the engine to cool and check coolant levels. See what is engine coolant and how to check engine coolant for further details. Continually running the engine with low coolant levels may overheat and damage the engine.
Vectra Electronic Stability Programme
The Electronic Stability Programme light may flash or illuminate yellow. If the light flashes yellow this simply means that the system is working and active. If the light illuminate continuously whilst driving, this signifies that they system is either switched off or that there is a fault within the system.
Parking distance light
The Vauxhall Vectra parking distance warning light illuminate yellow. If the light illuminates, this either signifies a fault in the system, or the distance sensors are dirty and need to be cleaned. If light still illuminates after sensors have been cleaned, consult a Vauxhall workshop.
Vauxhall Vectra common light list
The light for replacement bulb in my vectra stays on yellow? What does this mean?
Hi Steven.
Assuming that all your lights appear to be fine, it usually means that a bulb is about to go.
My mum has a vectora and they is a sigh of a car on the dash and a bleeping noice anyone know what this could be
All my dials went to nought 2weeks ago,I have been told that they may go back to normal if the car cools down,this has not happened,I was also told it could be a ‘big job’ to repair it?
i have a Vauxhall Vectra 2004 diesel 2.2 the light comes on a car with a spanner though it goes out after about a mile or less what dose this mean
Hi Tony,
The car with a spanner through it can mean several things. Often it can mean a faulty sensor, but in your case being as it’s a diesel and that it goes out shortly, it could be a glow plugs fault. The only way to really know is hook up diagnostic tool and get a fault code.
Hi, I have a Vauxhall vectra club 1.8 2003 the yellow sign with a car and spanner comes on sometimes when I start up and then goes out also does it when I’m driving, hope you can give me some advice
Hi Darell,
This is a general fault symbol, so you’ll need to find out what the error code it. You can fit or have someone hook up diagnostic equipment or you can try the Vauxhall pedal test.
1. Ensure the ignition is switched off
2. Press both the accelerator and brake pedal down
3. Switch on the ignition
4. The error code (if one is logged) will show up in the display panel where your mileage is shown.
You can then search online for the error fault code.
I had the same thing recently. Could just be a fuse. Check the fuses under the panel on the passenger end of the dashboard. None of mine had blown, but just taking them out, wiping the terminals and putting them back in cured it.
Hi,
I just bought a 2007 Vectra today and I’ve noticed that the bulb replacement light comes on in yellow every now and again but only stays on for a few seconds, do you know what could be causing this ?
The Vectra does use other lights if a bulb has gone. So for example it can use a tail light as a brake light if one of the brake bulbs has gone. Double check to see if a bulb has blown as it might not be too obvious. Failing that, it may be an ageing bulb that’s on its way out.
My vectra c 02 won,t crank with the brake pad symbol on.