Holden Captiva Problems

The most common way to do this is to lower the window completely via the button, and hold the button down for an extra five seconds. Then, close the window fully with the up button, and hold that for another five seconds. Usually, this will reset the windows so that the body computer knowns where they are and can operate the automatic up and down functions correctly.

In some cars, you can achieve the same by standing next to the car and holding the locking button down on the key fob for 30 seconds. If that doesn’t work, try the unlock button for the same 30 seconds.

It all depends on what you mean by coming on and off. The air-bag light should come on briefly every time you start the engine, but should then go out after a few seconds. This just confirms the car is checking the air-bag system for proper operation and is perfectly normal.

If, however, the air-bag light is lighting up randomly as you drive down the road, then you need to have the car scanned to see what the problem is. In this case it could easily suggest that there's a problem with this critical safety system, so don't ignore it.

In many cases, this (usually) four-digit security code will be written down somewhere inside the owner's manual or the car's service manual. Both these documents should be stored in the glovebox. Another popular way to store the code was to write it on the back of the business card of the salesperson who sold the car new, and attach that to the owner's handbook somewhere.

Often, however, these books go AWOL, at which point you need to contact a Holden workshop with the car's VIN. From there, you should be able to check Holden's records and find the security code. You may have to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle, however.

If that fails, sometimes you can do an internet search on a specialist website, but to do that, you'll need to know the serial number of the stereo unit. Usually, that involves removing the unit from the car, a process that can range from very easy to incredibly difficult.

The ACCC operates a national website that lists all safety recalls. Included within that is a complete list of automotive recalls for Australian cars. You can visit the site here.

You simply search for your car's make, year and model and the website will tell you what recalls have been applied over the years. The alternative is to find a Holden service outlet who should be able to check your car's VIN and identify what recalls were relevant and whether they've been carried out (i.e fixed) or not.

There are lots of places for a car to lose its coolant. The cooling system is a network of pipes, water jackets and other plumbing that is required to keep the engine cool, provide heat for the cabin and even cool the transmission.

Obvious places for a leak to occur are any of the joints in this plumbing, the water pump itself or any of the various components that store the coolant (heater core, radiator, overflow tank). A failed welch plug will definitely cause a car to lose coolant, but it usually starts out as a small leak before developing into a bigger one as the plug deteriorates further over time.

If the water is really running out as fast as your pour it in, the best idea is to get somebody to add water to the radiator while you look in the engine bay and under the car with a torch. A leak as big as the one you describe should be very visible.

Many engine designs have the coolant temperature sensor screw into the thermostat housing. In the case of this model Captiva, however, the sensor screws into the inlet manifold next to (but not part of) the thermostat housing.

A temperature sensor that is sending the wrong information to the car's computer can cause all sorts of mayhem, but it's worth checking the sensor for correct operation before spending money on a replacement.

Plenty of cars suffer this problem as they age. Consider that every time the vehicle is used, one or more door handles is being operated. Throw in the fact that the quality of these Holden Captivas was a bit sketchy in the first place, and you can see why the years and duty cycles of the door handles can catch up with them. Fortunately, it's not a huge job to replace the handle and new handles are available form lots of outlets including online sellers.

The Captiva was not alone in this problem, and many makes and models have a history of door handles breaking. Again, it's usually through wear and tear and cheap materials in the manufacturing process at fault.

You can buy replacement keys from locksmiths or online. They're not very expensive for the Captiva (unlike many cars which can cost hundreds) but you will need to have the key cut by a locksmith to make it work with the locks in your car.

If the remote control unit is working, you can fit the new key to that, or you can buy the whole unit with a new remote control. This new remote unit needs to be coded so that it talks to the computer in your car, but again, a locksmith should be able to handle this. If not, a Holden service centre will be able to code the new remote.

Air-conditioning systems are designed with various interlocks to prevent them being damaged by extreme conditions. For instance, if the refrigerant gas in the system starts to become depleted, it will also get hotter and hotter the harder you work the system. Eventually, the temperature of the system becomes too high and the interlock will step in and shut the air-conditioning down to prevent it becoming permanently damaged.

You need to take the car to an air-conditioning specialist who will have the tools and equipment to safely test the system to determine the problem. Then whatever is wrong can be fixed according to strict environmental regulations, which is why air-conditioning is not a DIY job.

This is something that confounds a lot of car owners. For whatever reason, many cars seem determined to blow their headlight globes at fairly regular intervals. This can be caused by voltage spikes (via a faulty regulator) cheap globes, vibration or moisture in the headlight unit. It's also important when changing globes that you don't touch any part of the glass bulb with your fingers. This can leave dirt or oil on the glass which can then cause a hot spot and lead to early failure.

But sometimes there just seems to be no explanation for the early demise of headlight globes. A more permanent fix is to switch to an LED replacement globe which is expensive (at something like $200 for the globes) but seems to eradicate the problem. Make sure you buy an LED kit that complies with the law on such matters (brightness and colour range) and fit it correctly, but in most cases, it's a simple one-for-one replacement deal.

As an aside, I've seen plenty of headlight globes that have died young and it's always been the low-beam filament that has failed. I'm yet to see a high-beam filament blow first.