Vauxhall Viva Dashboard Warning Lights

These are the dashboard warning lights for the Vauxhall Viva, model range 2015 to 2019. Warning light symbols are displayed along with the symbol meaning and manufacturers recommended action to take.

Airbag
The Vauxhall Viva airbag warning light stays illuminated in red for 4 seconds as the ignition is switched on, but should switch off. If it doesn’t illuminate, comes on while driving or stays illuminated after ignition, it indicates a malfunction of the airbag / seat belt pretensioners. Fault is often due to the airbag sensor, seat occupancy sensor or an object being lodged inside the belt buckle. Occasionally a connection under the front seats can become dislodged.

Battery
The Vauxhall Viva battery warning light should come on temporarily when the engine starts and go off shortly after. If the battery light remains lit, do not drive the vehicle. If the battery light comes on while driving, it means there’s a fault in the charging system and the battery is no longer being charged.

As a result, the engine will shut down when battery charge is depleted. Switch off any electric systems that are not essential and make your way immediately to a safe location to stop. If there’s a vehicle repair workshop nearby, make your way there.

Service
The car and spanner warning light is Vauxhall Viva service engine soon warning. This is a generic warning light, meaning that it has many possible faults associated with it. The light comes on due to a fault, or maintenance issue and a error code displays along with the symbol.

Brake and Clutch
This red exclamation mark in a circle is the Vauxhall Viva brake and clutch warning light and should go off after the engine has started unless the handbrake is applied. If after releasing the manual handbrake the warning light remains on, or comes on while driving it means the brake and clutch fluid level is low.

Brake fluid level must be within the MIN. and MAX. marker line. If fluid levels are low, it may indicate a leak in the system, particularly if the brake pedal feels soft and spongy. It’s recommended that you do not continue driving and contact a Vauxhall workshop.

Operate Pedal
The foot on pedal warning light either illuminate or flashes in yellow. If the operate pedal light illuminates, it means the clutch pedal must be depressed to start the engine when in Autostop mode. If it flashes, it means the clutch must be pressed for a main start of the engine.

ABS
ABS stands for anti-lock braking system and is an additional safety feature to work alongside the brakes. If the ABS light stays on, it means the system has malfunctioned. The cause of the fault is often due to a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor (one located at each wheel). Normal vehicle brake will continue to operate as usual.

Power Steering
If the power steering warning light illuminate son its own, it mean the power steering system has malfunctioned. If you have been steering heavily (while parking for example), sometimes the power steering motor can overheat. This is temporary and will resume when the system has cooled.

Power Steering + ESC
If the power steering and ESC warning light illuminate simultaneously, it means the power steering system must be calibrated.

ESC
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is a stability system responsible for helping to reduce oversteer and understeer and to increase tyre traction. If the ESC light is flashing, it means the system is currently actively engaged. If the light remains lit, it means there’s a fault and ESC is disabled. ESC uses ABS wheel speed sensors and a fault is often related to these. A fault code is displayed when the ESC warning light illuminates. Though it’s advisable to keep ESC on, pressing the ESC OFF button for 5 seconds disables the system.

Traction Control
The traction control system is part of the ESC stability system and helps to prevent wheel spin. You should generally keep traction control switched on all the time. Disabling traction control may benefit you in attempting to free yourself from snow or mud. You can disable traction control by pressing (not holding) the ESC OFF button .

Lane Departure
The Vauxhall Viva lane departure warning system observes the lane markings between which the vehicle is driving via a front camera located at the top-centre of the windscreen. The symbol illuminates in green when the system is active and changes to a flashing yellow when an unintended lane change is detected. If the system is not working properly, ensure the camera’s view is free from dirt on the windshield.

Parking Sensors
The Vauxhall Viva park assist uses parking sensors located on the rear bumper and gives an acoustic signal to warn of nearby objects. The warning light illuminates in yellow to indicate a fault in the system, or that the sensors are covered in dirt / snow, or that there’s interference due to external sources of ultrasound.

Engine Coolant
The engine coolant warning light illuminates in red when the engine temperature is too high. If the light comes on while driving, stop and switch off the engine. Allow engine to cool and check coolant levels. If coolant levels are low, top up. If no coolant concentrate is available, use clean tap water. If water levels are correct upon checking, do not continue driving as this may indicate a water pump failure.

Tyre Pressure
The Vauxhall Viva tyre pressure warning light comes on when a pressure loss has been detected in one or more tyres. In this instance, stop immediately and check tyre pressures. If the tyre pressure light flashes for 60 to 90 seconds then stays on, it means there’s a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) or that a tyre has been fitted without a sensor inside.

Vauxhall Viva Tyre Pressure Reset
The Vauxhall Viva tyre pressure system does not need to be manually reset. After adjusting tyres pressures and after a short drive, the tyre pressure monitoring system will automatically reset and update itself to the new pressures. If after a drive the tyre pressure warning light stays on, it means there’s may be a fault with the system.

Oil Pressure
This oil pressure warning light should go off once the engine has started. If it comes on while driving, pull off the road and switch off the engine as soon as possible. This may indicate a engine lubricant fault that can result in serious engine damage. Once the engine if off, check oil levels and add oil if low. Check if warning light has gone off. Only drive the car if the warning light has gone off.

Immobiliser
The car and lock symbol is the Vauxhall Viva immobiliser warning light. It flashes in yellow when there’s a fault detected with the immobiliser system. Change the battery in your key fob or try a different key. The keys may require reprogramming.

Reduced Engine Power
The Vauxhall Viva reduced engine power warning light illuminates when an engine fault has been detected and the reduced engine power override system is active. Reduced engine power is active to help prevent engine damage. Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and restart. If you continue to experience reduced engine power, take your vehicle to a qualified Vauxhall workshop to have the vehicle scanned for fault codes.

Engine Warning Light
The Vauxhall Viva engine malfunction indicator light, often called the check engine light illuminates or flashes when a fault has been detected. The check engine light is emission related. If the light illuminates, it means there’s a fault in the emissions control system. If it flashes, it may suggest an engine misfire that can lead to catalytic converter damage. If driving, reduce speed and avoid high engine revs until the light stops flashing.

The engine warning light may illuminate with other warning lights and a error code my be displayed. The engine warning light is a generic light that comes on due to many potential faults. The only way to diagnose the fault is to have a diagnostic fault code reader connected to the vehicle. Most garages offer this service.

Autostop
The Vauxhall Viva Autostop / automatic engine start stop system is intended to help save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions. The Autostop system is automatically initialised each time the engine starts and has to be manually switched off after each engine start if the driver wants to disable it.

If your Vauxhall Viva Autostop / engine start stop system is not working, it may be due to one of the following conditions that must be met:

• The stop-start system is not manually switched off.
• The bonnet is fully closed.
  
• The driver’s door is closed or the driver’s seat belt is fastened.
  
• The vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition.
  
• The engine is warmed-up.
  
• The engine coolant temperature is not too high.
  
• The engine exhaust temperature is not too high.
  
• The ambient temperature is above -5 °C.
  
• The climate control system allows an Autostop
• The brake vacuum is sufficient.
• The vehicle was driven at least at walking speed since the last Autostop