Vectra 1.8ls 16v (w) engine electrics

SNUFFERS

Has anyone had this problem?. Engine electric warning light now coming on and staying on. Car still goes - so far. Book says to take it to dealer. Problem being the car is 10 yrs old and hoping to p/x . Had it checked at local garage who say their diagnostic machine found no fault but the one at the vauxhall dealer may.

Its 10 yrs old and done 58K. Never had any problems before and as I say still starting fine and going.

Thanks for any help

benham3160

Hmm... Interesting, should be easily able to scan these vehicles to find out why the light is on.

Are you sure it's the engine fault lamp that is illuminating, not the ABS, TCS lamp etc?

Regards,
Andy

SNUFFERS

Yes definately the engine electrics light, looked it up in the manual. It comes on after approx 10 mins and stays on. Have noticed the car splutter a couple of times which it has never done before.

benham3160

SNUFFERS wrote: »

Yes definately the engine electrics light, looked it up in the manual. It comes on after approx 10 mins and stays on. Have noticed the car splutter a couple of times which it has never done before.

Could be hundreds of things, but as the lamp is coming on it's something the ECU thinks needs attention, it's not just a "blip." As the lamp has come on, the fault codes have definately been recorded.

Ring around your local independents and say "can you read codes on my 1999 Vectra" and see who's got the gear. Shouldn't take long, code reading is the easy bit.

Finding the actual fault then takes the time!

Regards,
Andy

benham3160

Just to add, there is a "back door" for code reading on some of these, how competent are you with basic electronics? Basically shorting out a pin on a connector, then watching a light flash?

Regards,
Andy

SNUFFERS

Thanks Andy

johnnyroper

SNUFFERS wrote: »

Yes definately the engine electrics light, looked it up in the manual. It comes on after approx 10 mins and stays on. Have noticed the car splutter a couple of times which it has never done before.

will it rev over 3.5k rpm when light is on??

the garage scanner is probably a generic type and not able to read all manufacturer specific codes.

give this a go

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?164990-Astra-Mk4-G-Reading-fault-codes

benham3160

johnnyroper wrote: »

will it rev over 3.5k rpm when light is on??

the garage scanner is probably a generic type and not able to read all manufacturer specific codes.

give this a go

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?164990-Astra-Mk4-G-Reading-fault-codes

The manufacturer codes on these, bar a handful only relate to either highly unlikely faults (Main engine relay -Low) for example, or imobiliser or extraneous faults. Having looked at the GM codes, it looks unlikely an engine would run with most of these faults, or the ones affecting running would also trigger standard OBD faults.

That said, it's plausable this could be the problem.

The diagnostic procedure changed on these halfway through 1999, so it could be they were using the wrong procedures.

Regards,
Andy

SNUFFERS

Andy - not very competant as a girlie but will give it a go.

Roper - thanks have looked at this will try it in the morning.

benham3160

SNUFFERS wrote: »

Andy - not very competant as a girlie but will give it a go.

Roper - thanks have looked at this will try it in the morning.

Don't say that I worked with a female MOT tester, she was brilliant!

If you can follow what Johnny helpfully posted and get the number, we can point you in the right direction! If not I'm sure any mechanic will be slightly turned on by a woman who can come armed with fault codes she interogated herself!

So none of that, and I'm half a mechanic, and half an RGN depending on what mood you get me in, so no sexism!

Regards,
Andy

debtfreenewbie

HI, Maybe I can help, we have a similar car,actually have two, his and hers.lol
One problem we had with a previous vectra was the air bag,there is a cable that runs under the seat and where I have to keep moving the seat to get out I dislodged it.
Recently on one of our cars the light kept coming on and it kept stalling every time we put the brake on,Not helpful. Took it to our garage and it was the cam belt sensor, cost us 200.
Apparently these were recalled, dont know when but obviuosly ours wasnt done.
If your car isnt playing up then tbh I wouldnt worry but just be aware as its not a quick job.

Hope that helps....