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[Dan Hope]

Hi all, hope you had a great xmas!

Since driving in the heavy snow last week, my car has developed a new 'thing' to annoy me.

Whenever i move the gear selector, the selector light which shows you what mode you're in jumps to the 'number 2' light, then all the lights light up so you can't tell what mode you are in, then a minute or so later it catches up and you finally find out what you've selected.

Luckily i'm used to the position of the stick so can tell if i'm in drive or reverse etc, but does anyone know what this might be?

Doesn't affect gear selection or drive at all, just hoping its not the start of something bigger and more expensive as i've already got other issues with this car and i'm close to going Basil Fawlty on it.

Hope someone can cheer me up

Many thanks
Dan

[Welung666]

Have a look in the maintenance guides index for cleaning the selector switch

What else is on your list? Where are you?

[Agemo]

Yes it does sound like dirty contacts. I would not be worried, the lights don't actually tell you what mode you are in, just what gear you have selected.

[Dan Hope]

Thanks guys, you have successfully cheered me up a bit ;-)

i'll try and find the guide on cleaning those contacts. haven't had the car that long. its my second omega but the last one didn't give me nearly as much of a headache as this one, i thought vauxhalls were easy to fix.

aaaaanyway, other problems are the drivers side heating doesn't work, only blows cold no matter what selection you make on the climate thingy. followed the guide with checking the motor in the passenger footwell that apparently controls the blend flap?? but that was all connected and working as it looks like it should, so no joy in fixing that problem. im not bothered about the heat, but the windscreen on my side won't demist so bit dangerous really :-(

the other problem is the passenger side door lock doesn't work off the central locking, but thats no big deal really, sure thats just a dead solenoid or something, haven't fought with that yet, waiting for warmer weather hehe

im in farnborough in hampshire so had fun in the snow recently!

[Welung666]

Climate possible fix:-

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1196616207

Central Locking fix:-

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152618707

[Dan Hope]

thanks for that but unfortunately that was the first thing i tried. i could see that the arm was still connected to the motor and it moved up and down as it should when i changed the temperature.

i did wonder though if whatever is at the other end of the arm had come off but i don't know where it goes up to, any clues?

[Dan Hope]

hi

as a new (and expected) development, the omega auto gear box has now started playing up.

i put it into reverse a short while ago and the spanner sign appeared and the traction control light came on.

when i put it into drive, it drove away like the snow button was on (low revs and in 2nd gear). ive used the snow button a bit recently and now wondering if this has caused something to get stuck. also noticing a hot sort of/burning clutch kinda smell.

im off to the nearest tree to break off a big branch...

[Welung666]

hi

as a new (and expected) development, the omega auto gear box has now started playing up.

i put it into reverse a short while ago and the spanner sign appeared and the traction control light came on.

when i put it into drive, it drove away like the snow button was on (low revs and in 2nd gear). ive used the snow button a bit recently and now wondering if this has caused something to get stuck. also noticing a hot sort of/burning clutch kinda smell.

im off to the nearest tree to break off a big branch...

As already said, get to Maplins for a big tin of switch contact cleaner and remove, clean and refit selector switch

[Dan Hope]

hi me again

i can't find any guides on the selector switch, would it be called something else? sorry, not particularly great with technical jargon etc with cars

thanks for the advice

[Welung666]

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1231586488

[Dan Hope]

see why couldn't i find that when i searched 'selector' and 'switch' in all sorts of combinations in all places

hmm, im worried this is gonna turn into something i'll wish i never started and should possibly leave to the experts. if i break this car im screwed for gettin anywhere.

i can't say ive ever even looked underneath the car so gonna have a look tomorrow and see if i can even find the damn switch first and then see how brave i feel, gulp

[Welung666]

It's easy to spot Do you have car ramps?

[Dan Hope]

i can get some

i was just thinking, during the fun in the snow, i drove over something that i felt hit the underneath of the car, possibly a large brick or something similar. is this switch in a place that could be hit by such an object?

[Welung666]

i can get some

i was just thinking, during the fun in the snow, i drove over something that i felt hit the underneath of the car, possibly a large brick or something similar. is this switch in a place that could be hit by such an object?

No very protected where it is.

To get extra clearance using car ramps..... Reverse about 3' on to a pavement or highish curb then put ramps under front wheels and get someone to watch you up them. That'll give you loads of clearance

Let the exhausts cool before you try getting at the switch though as it'll take the skin clean off your hands! You'll see the switch passenger side of the gearbox about 3 or 4 inches before the floor turns from the flat floor into the bulkead

[Dan Hope]

ok you've inspired confidence, im gonna attempt it tomorrow...uh oh!

thanks for all your help much appreciated!