Anyone know about Cars??

[gilly41]

After nearly 2 years of struggling to get our debts paid off we finally managed it last year(thanks to this wonderful forum).Anyhow we are moving 2 weeks on Thursday(all the costs saved up for and paid in cash--no CC and really proud of myself!).The car needed a service a month ago as it hadnt had one for 18 months---we have a Corsa which is 7 years old.We paid the car off about a year ago and we plan keeping it as long as we possibly can.The cost of the service was £135 and for the first time ever we paid that in cash.I thought things were looking good but today when we have had a drive over to the seaside the yellow engine light has been flashing when we have been climbing steep banks and the car(sorry i dont drive so not too clever re cars) appears to be slowing down.When OH took it in for the service the yellow light had gone on a couple of times prior to this but he failed(yes i know LOL------he never mentions things unless i am there!!!) to tell them this at the garage.Do you think we could take it back to the garage(it was serviced exactly a month ago) and mention the light is coming on and something isnt right? or do you think this would be nothing that should have shown up at a service?Also does anyone have any ideas as to what it may be?? I am thinking how much it might cost and it is sooo not what i need just as we are moving!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for any advice xxx

[kraft]

After nearly 2 years of struggling to get our debts paid off we finally managed it last year(thanks to this wonderful forum).Anyhow we are moving 2 weeks on Thursday(all the costs saved up for and paid in cash--no CC and really proud of myself!).The car needed a service a month ago as it hadnt had one for 18 months---we have a Corsa which is 7 years old.We paid the car off about a year ago and we plan keeping it as long as we possibly can.The cost of the service was £135 and for the first time ever we paid that in cash.I thought things were looking good but today when we have had a drive over to the seaside the yellow engine light has been flashing when we have been climbing steep banks and the car(sorry i dont drive so not too clever re cars) appears to be slowing down.When OH took it in for the service the yellow light had gone on a couple of times prior to this but he failed(yes i know LOL------he never mentions things unless i am there!!!) to tell them this at the garage.Do you think we could take it back to the garage(it was serviced exactly a month ago) and mention the light is coming on and something isnt right? or do you think this would be nothing that should have shown up at a service?Also does anyone have any ideas as to what it may be?? I am thinking how much it might cost and it is sooo not what i need just as we are moving!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for any advice xxx

The best thing would be to take it to the garage (hopefully a vauxhall main dealer) and let them check it out, you dont have to go through with the work. It could be only a quick "tweak" and will be sorted. It the engine transmission light, so could be a number of things. Hope my little advice helps..:beer:

[oscar52]

sounds very much like you have a low fluid level somewhere - check break fluid and clutch fluid resovoirs. also power steering fluid level if the car has it.

The fact that it only comes on on hills would indicate the above.

[harveybobbles]

The light will be the EML, or Engine Management Light. It means the engines computer has found a fault somewhere. Something simple like a duff spark/glow plug. Or as with most Vauxhalls it could mean the Cam or Crank sensor is duff.

Ask a local friendly garage to put the car onto "Tech2" to read the fault codes, have them all deleted/reset and carry on using the car till it comes back on. Then go back and the fault will be stored in the cars memory.

[moonrakermagpie]

Don't know on a corsa but it sounds like the engine oil light to me. Is there a picture on the dash board light when it is lit up, on most cars each light had a symbol such as for the battery, and high beam.

Has your yellow light got a picture of an oil can on it.

Often when an engine has low oil level or low oil pressure the oil warning light will flash on and off when braking heavily, or in your case going up or down steep hills.

I would be best to get expert advice, as these faults can be serious and expensive if left.

Cheers

Steve

[oldagetraveller]

The oil warning light on a Corsa is usually red Steve as with most vehicles.

As has been mentioned earlier, have the car checked with Tech2.
However, I'd check all fluid levels etc. as well which should be done regularly anyway as a routine!

[gilly41]

Thanks for the help everyone.Yes it is the engine light. We have only just had it serviced so I think all fluid levels will have been checked wont they?As i say i am rubbish re cars and OH is at work at the moment but he is taking it back to where we got it serviced later today and asking for it to be checked out.It is slowing down when the light comes on---and only when we are on an incline.Is this indicative of anything?The car actually felt like it was coming to a standstill yesterday!!!! Thank goodness we got home ok!!Thanks again everyone

[gilly41]

Can I also ask if it was the cam or crank sensor is that expensive?We had a rover til it was about 8 years old and then major things started to go wrong. I was hoping we might be able to keep this car a couple more years!!Moving house has cleared all our funds!!!! x

[oldagetraveller]

We have only just had it serviced so I think all fluid levels will have been checked wont they?

Yes, they should have been but that was a month ago? It should be a regular routine to check and top up levels along with tyre condition and pressures etc. not just at a service. ;) I mentioned that in case a leak might have developed somewhere in the interim - it happens.

[gilly41]

Thanks---I never thought of that(I told you I am not too good where cars are concerned) x

[gilly41]

We are taking the car in to the garage today to go on the diagnostic(sp??) machine. This is costing £45 but hopefully it will be worth it if he can tell what is wrong with it!!Thanks for all the replies.

[harveybobbles]

Can I also ask if it was the cam or crank sensor is that expensive?

Nah not really to be honest.

Oooooooh how did you get on at the garage?! Did they all stand around folding their arms doing that inward-sucky-type-mouth thing (us) mechanics do?!

[gilly41]

OH took in yesterday to go on the machine thing and it wasnt "reading" so they are bringing in another machine today.OH is picking it up at 1 so i should know something today.The mechanic did say they had driven it and it is losing power and the engine light coming on when it is having to work harder(on a hill I think!!) and he says he thinks it is the above(cam whatever!!).Anyhow i should know later today xx

[harveybobbles]

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