Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: jerry on 05 March 2013, 00:59:13

Title: active select
Post by: jerry on 05 March 2013, 00:59:13
we're getting an astra sports tourer 2lt CDI auto which, I believe, has active select. My current auto miggy has a sports button and snowflake button. Does the auto select system replace any of these functions or is it something totally different? (I know I can ask dealer but just wondered if anyone on here knew)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Andy B on 05 March 2013, 08:44:25
http://www.vauxhallquotes.co.uk/research/glossary-definition.aspx?term=active-select

I'd understand that to be an 'Easytronic' ie a manual gearbox underneath with automated controls .... a simplified version of a DSG. Do you have a warrenty?  ::)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: jerry on 05 March 2013, 09:05:23
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Andy B on 05 March 2013, 09:19:07
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

MArksDTM says it's normally just the actuator that fails ...... but there's often Easytronic Vauxhalls on eBay & a mate had expensive problems with his - far more than just an actuator  :-\)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: jerry on 05 March 2013, 13:15:23
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

MArksDTM says it's normally just the actuator that fails ...... but there's often Easytronic Vauxhalls on eBay & a mate had expensive problems with his - far more than just an actuator  :-\)

Oh dear :o, just looked up several sites about the Easytronic system-not good is it? Ive driven triptronic cars before with no problems but reviews of this particular system do not fill me with confidence. On the other hand, the new "active select 6speed " is supposedly "all new" so maybe theyve overcome the issues and come up with a semi-automatic gearbox that works?(Please ;D)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: omega3000 on 05 March 2013, 15:47:42
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

MArksDTM says it's normally just the actuator that fails ...... but there's often Easytronic Vauxhalls on eBay & a mate had expensive problems with his - far more than just an actuator  :-\)

Aye i know someone was quoted £1200 to fix his Easytronic , always going wrong  :(
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Vamps on 05 March 2013, 21:37:54
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

You have just got a motability car? brave, very brave unless you are under about 50 years old....... ;) ;)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: jerry on 06 March 2013, 11:42:04
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

You have just got a motability car? brave, very brave unless you are under about 50 years old....... ;) ;)

 ;D ;D As luck would have it Vamps I am in fact (whisper it) over 50. Who would know?
 Actually its for our youngest as he now needs a wheelchair to get about and his AS makes using what little public transport there is difficult to say the least. We did keep the Estima as there was plenty of room but as all the other kids have flown the nest now we didnt really need 7 seats any more. Very sad to lose her as she was in very good nick for a 20 year old car but mpg wasnt good and the stuff that needed doing for the MOT , though not major, was really an expense we couldnt afford. Anyhow, went for the motability option as no worries about MOTs etc and SWMBO thought it would would be nice to have a "new" car for a bit having had a 20yr old one and a 15 yr old miggy for so long. Think she wanted something smaller until I pointed out that, quite apart from his wheelchair, if we went away anywhere, whilst I might get all my stuff in a carrier bag she ended up packing the kitchen sink ;D Lip on the estate is obviously lower too making taking the wheelchair in/out a lot easier. Chose the auto option because havent had a manual car for over 10 years now and,well, as I said, I am over 50 now ::)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 March 2013, 12:17:04
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

MArksDTM says it's normally just the actuator that fails ...... but there's often Easytronic Vauxhalls on eBay & a mate had expensive problems with his - far more than just an actuator  :-\)

The biggest issues with the Easytronic boxes are the techs not understanding them, this often results in willy nilly part changing
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Andy B on 06 March 2013, 12:28:32
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

MArksDTM says it's normally just the actuator that fails ...... but there's often Easytronic Vauxhalls on eBay & a mate had expensive problems with his - far more than just an actuator  :-\)

The biggest issues with the Easytronic boxes are the techs not understanding them, this often results in willy nilly part changing

maybe, but my mate ended up with a fortune spent on his Vectra's, initially under warranty and then again out of his own pocket when it died again 12/18 months later. How many parts are there to 'willy nilly' swap? If it's anything like SWMBO's Smart, there's pretty much just the actuator & a motor to actually change gear after the actuator has 'dipped the clutch'?
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 March 2013, 12:47:43
And I suspect the info regarding the auto box used on the six speed Astra J and Insignia is wrong, my understanding is its a 6L40

Which is a torque converter based box

The Vectra 1.9 CDTi and the Astra used the AF40

(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwiaZZQLILMwjU8GPSCiAA_9ls_LJ_v1FEJ_-dyDHojsZWC1Vbo0BSCPJljQ)

Which is also a torque converter based box

The only engines I have ever seen with the Easytronic type is the small block units (e.g. 1.0, 1.2 and some 1.4/1.6/1.8's)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Andy B on 06 March 2013, 13:01:58
And I suspect the info regarding the auto box used on the six speed Astra J and Insignia is wrong, my understanding is its a 6L40
.... I just Googled 'active'select' & came up with the link that I guessed at as being an Easytronic .....  ::)

The only engines I have ever seen with the Easytronic type is the small block units (e.g. 1.0, 1.2 and some 1.4/1.6/1.8's)
My mate's was a Vectra, again, from what gear selector was there & how he described it, I'm guessing that was also an Easytronic ....... whatever it was, it made for a very expensive taxi
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 March 2013, 13:19:38
Not many Vectras were (maybe 1.6).

It sounds to me like poor spanner twirling, potentialy they fixed the symptom and not the route casue the result is a further failure.

E.g., the oil pump gets tired and causes issues with a tired valve block, change the valve block and all appears good for a while.

Just seen the same on BW velvet drive box which has had the clutches changed twice, we opened it up and found a worn oil pump.....as well as further worn clutches
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Andy B on 06 March 2013, 13:24:00
...
It sounds to me like poor spanner twirling, potentialy they fixed the symptom and not the route casue the result is a further failure.
 ......

Quite likely ...... it was done at Vauxhall  ::) ::)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 March 2013, 13:25:51
And I suspect the info regarding the auto box used on the six speed Astra J and Insignia is wrong, my understanding is its a 6L40
.... I just Googled 'active'select' & came up with the link that I guessed at as being an Easytronic .....  ::)


Its not, its a manumatic....so auto gearbox with the ability to manualy select the gears (manualy controllable automatic)
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Vamps on 06 March 2013, 20:53:11
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

You have just got a motability car? brave, very brave unless you are under about 50 years old....... ;) ;)

 ;D ;D As luck would have it Vamps I am in fact (whisper it) over 50. Who would know?
 Actually its for our youngest as he now needs a wheelchair to get about and his AS makes using what little public transport there is difficult to say the least. We did keep the Estima as there was plenty of room but as all the other kids have flown the nest now we didnt really need 7 seats any more. Very sad to lose her as she was in very good nick for a 20 year old car but mpg wasnt good and the stuff that needed doing for the MOT , though not major, was really an expense we couldnt afford. Anyhow, went for the motability option as no worries about MOTs etc and SWMBO thought it would would be nice to have a "new" car for a bit having had a 20yr old one and a 15 yr old miggy for so long. Think she wanted something smaller until I pointed out that, quite apart from his wheelchair, if we went away anywhere, whilst I might get all my stuff in a carrier bag she ended up packing the kitchen sink ;D Lip on the estate is obviously lower too making taking the wheelchair in/out a lot easier. Chose the auto option because havent had a manual car for over 10 years now and,well, as I said, I am over 50 now ::)

My concern would be that you are very likely to lose your high rate mobility allowance within the 3 years lease of the car...... :( :( :(
Title: Re: active select
Post by: jerry on 07 March 2013, 07:07:41
thanks for the reassurance  ;D ;D Luckily its a motability vehicle to replace our old estima so all parts/labour covered.

You have just got a motability car? brave, very brave unless you are under about 50 years old....... ;) ;)

 ;D ;D As luck would have it Vamps I am in fact (whisper it) over 50. Who would know?
 Actually its for our youngest as he now needs a wheelchair to get about and his AS makes using what little public transport there is difficult to say the least. We did keep the Estima as there was plenty of room but as all the other kids have flown the nest now we didnt really need 7 seats any more. Very sad to lose her as she was in very good nick for a 20 year old car but mpg wasnt good and the stuff that needed doing for the MOT , though not major, was really an expense we couldnt afford. Anyhow, went for the motability option as no worries about MOTs etc and SWMBO thought it would would be nice to have a "new" car for a bit having had a 20yr old one and a 15 yr old miggy for so long. Think she wanted something smaller until I pointed out that, quite apart from his wheelchair, if we went away anywhere, whilst I might get all my stuff in a carrier bag she ended up packing the kitchen sink ;D Lip on the estate is obviously lower too making taking the wheelchair in/out a lot easier. Chose the auto option because havent had a manual car for over 10 years now and,well, as I said, I am over 50 now ::)

My concern would be that you are very likely to lose your high rate mobility allowance within the 3 years lease of the car...... :( :( :(

Ah,now I see your point :-\ :-\Thanks for the heads up. Weve only fairly recently had the higher mobility allowance and we used that to support running the estima. Our youngest has aspergers and dystonia (well, thats what his working diagnosis is but tbh ,whilst symptoms are same I dont think they really know for sure). In any event, his mobility has severely worsened over past year or so and whilst its sort of plateaued now the concern is obviously whether it will spread to other parts of his body. Working the hours I do, I need a car for work but SWMBO needs one  too in order to take him to appointments etc that cannot be arranged for my days off. His aspergers makes any form of travelling hard enough and public transport (such as it is) virtually impossible. TBH Vamps , Ive always felt a bit guilty about the financial help weve recently had but as work colleagues have said, Ive worked bloody hard all my life, my better half has had to give up work to look after our youngest and our lives have -as I guess the majority of carers have-changed dramatically. Were extremely restricted now, financially worse off and dont really ever get any us/we time/respite. Weve both paid into the system, weve personally seen others abuse of it , so surely we are genuinely entitled to something back? See, must feel bit guilty or wouldnt be so defensive ;D :-\Not, of course, that this will change any decision that this govts cuts will bring :(
Title: Re: active select
Post by: Vamps on 07 March 2013, 21:07:31
Jerry - you have PM ;)