KonsVogel
Flickering Dash & Battery Issues: Insignia Alert!
Fault stored
Dim or flickering lights
Weak battery when starting the engine
General electric malfunction
4 comment(s)
Thanks that sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with! Been driving me mad for weeks now. Good to hear you got it sorted out. Can't remember if you mentioned, how much did the repair set you back? And has everything been smooth sailing since, or did you run into any other electrical niggles afterwards?
Hey there! Happy to follow up on this. Since my last reply, I can confirm that getting the Motor Control Main Relay replaced was definitely the right call. The whole repair, including diagnostics and labor, cost me 130€, honestly not as bad as I feared it might be! The best part is that it completely sorted out the Terminal 15 interruption issues I was experiencing. It's been running like a charm since the fix. No more flickering dash lights, no more weak starts, and all those annoying electrical warnings have disappeared. My Astra starts up first time, every time now, what a relief! If you're experiencing the same symptoms, I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out sooner rather than later. Those electrical gremlins can be a real pain, but once you get the relay sorted, it's like having a different car. Trust me, it's worth every penny to get it fixed properly! Feel free to ask if you need any other details about the repair. I'm just glad I could help point you in the right direction!
Thanks everyone for the advice! Just wanted to update you on what happened with my Insignia. Finally took it to a different mechanic last week, one that specializes in Vauxhall electrical systems. You were spot on about the relay issue! The diagnostic test confirmed it was failing, just like in your case. Ended up paying £145 for the whole job, which included a thorough electrical system check. The difference is like night and day now. No more flickering lights, the car starts perfectly, and those annoying warning messages have disappeared completely. Such a relief! The mechanic was great too, explained everything clearly and even showed me the faulty relay. Really glad I asked here before spending a fortune at my old garage. Sometimes you just need that push to try somewhere new, right? Thanks again for all your help, you saved me from a potentially bigger headache down the road! Best wishes to all!
I had a similar issue with my 2013 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi last winter. The symptoms were nearly identical, flickering dash lights, weak starts, and unusual electrical warnings popping up. Took it to my garage and they diagnosed a faulty Motor Control Main Relay. The relay was failing intermittently, which caused the electrical system to act up. It's a pretty serious issue because it can leave you stranded if it completely fails. The repair wasn't too complex, but it needed proper diagnostic equipment to confirm the issue. My mechanic had to replace the main relay unit and check the entire electrical system to ensure there wasn't any knock-on damage to other components. The car's been running perfectly since then, no more electrical gremlins. Based on your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. I'd recommend getting it checked soon, these electrical issues tend to get worse if left unattended.