Restoring key functions

My 2007 Vauxhall Astra H series Twintop 1.9 CDTI has two keys – one is the traditional 'dagger' design, the other is a flip-fob, press-button type. It’s the latter that is the problem.

When I bought the car, it was explained that the flip-fob had been set up so that, once in the car and after a few minutes from moving off, the doors would deadlock, lighting the deadlock switch on the dash. What is the procedure for

undoing or resetting the fob so it does not lock, as despite being told we could find out how to do it in the owner’s manual, there is no reference to it here or in the Haynes workshop manual.

Also, on the two occasions we’ve used the fob, a warning message comes up on the info panel in the middle of the dash saying ‘coolant level low’, even though it isn’t.

John Ward

I have checked through the owner’s manual issued with the vehicle for years 2006, 2007 and 2008. As you say, this option is not mentioned in any of them.

As a slight reassurance, it should be noted that in the event of a collision of sufficient severity, the central locking will unlock and the hazard and interior lights will also be turned on.

The system was altered in 2007 and the option of activating the anti-car-jack feature was removed. In vehicles where this is possible, the feature is turned on or off by sitting in the car with the doors closed, turning on the ignition (engine not running) and pressing and holding the central locking button on the dash for 10 seconds. The central locking should lock and unlock during this period. If the feature was turned on by the previous owner then this should turn it off. If this method doesn’t work, the system can only be deactivated using a scanner with dealer-level software.

From 2008, the Astra did have a hidden personal settings menu that could be accessed by pulling both the light and wiper stalks forward, but I believe this will not apply to your Astra.

The coolant level warning light being activated is probably a coincidence, but it would be wise to ensure that the coolant level is definitely correct.