Resetting service light on Holden Astra

[POD]

Bought a 10-year old astra for my wife from a colleague a few months ago, he was selling it cheap because the timing belt was due for renewal in a few thousand k's. I've just bought all the bits to do the job, quite inexpensive. There is a warning thing on the dash, spanner symbol and wording 'service' or similar, just next to the speedo readout. Can anyone tell me how to switch this symbol off once the timing belt is done?

[BigJon]

The service light doesn't have anything to do with the timing belt. I am pretty sure to reset the light you just hold the trip reset while turning the ignition on.

When you bought the timing belt bits did you get a complete kit (idlers, tensioners, oil seals, etc). You will also need to replace the water pump.

Do you have a good selection of torx bits? You will need them.

Be aware that the timing belt will need replacement every 60 000km. You will also find the brake discs are a fast wearing item.

[tomisawesome]

hold the trip button then turn the ignition on. keep holding till the service interval flashes and then goes to ---- and its done.

for the timing belt, you don't need to replace the water pump. if the car has been looked after with genuine coolant and been filled with distilled water you will get over 120k out of a water pump.

you will need torx bits and internal torx bits, and make sure when undoing the tensioner you use the 100% correct size (t40 comes to mind, but don't quote me on that) and be 100% square to the drive of the bolt when undoing. most common rounded bolt in the history of bolts. change both idlers and the tensioner, cheap insurance, most only get about 120k out of them, and you will probably not have a history on them.

10 year old Astra will either have a 120k interval, 60k, or 90k. they started at 120k's, which was too long, so they changed to 60k, and then upped it to 90k towards the end of TS and into AH's.

[BigJon]

for the timing belt, you don't need to replace the water pump. if the car has been looked after with genuine coolant and been filled with distilled water you will get over 120k out of a water pump.


Water pumps are cheap, I wouldn't take the gamble. Considering if it fails it could well take the timing belt out with it.

[POD]

Thanks for the very useful replies. The car has just clocked up 120,000km. My colleague bought it new for his daughter and it has been dealer serviced, definitely got the belt done at 60k as specified with this car. I have bought a genuine kit (belt, idlers etc) for the job but will follow the above advice and get a water pump, not long since the one in my daughter's Camry died and took the timing belt with it- fortunately those motors don't bend valves when cam timing is lost, not the case with the Astra I'm told so better safe than $orry.
Way back in the day, when I was a Toyota mechanic, the timing belt warning light on the Hilux diesel came on at 100,000km and was reset by pressing a hidden switch on the instrument panel. I was worried that the modern equivalent might be via the ECU and some dealer-only interface.
Thanks for the heads-up about the bolts, I have a torx set but without even starting the job I can see I'll need at least one female torx socket which I have none of. Still I'd rather buy tools than pay $125 per hour for some apprentice to do the work.

[tomisawesome]

timing cover, engine mount, crank pulley, and drive belt tensioner all use different size female torx bits from memory. actually drive belt tensioner might use same as engine mount. ally sump is very thin, so always use a wooden block on top of your jack/axle stand that is supporting the engine. intake cam is sprung, the slightest movement on it will cause it to move, so keep an eye on your timing marks. and the 2 marks on the cam pulleys face each other, int @ 3oclock, exh @ 9oclock. with the crank lining up with a little mark on the timing cover on the bottom right.

[POD]

Thanks again. Sounds like I'll be down to the tool shop tomorrow for a set of torx sockets before I start the job.