Any Vauxhall Astra experts out there?

rachie_2011

I’ve had on going issues with my ’05 Astra for some time where I’ve had to take it back to the garage more times than Lewis Hamilton has done pitstops in last year’s F1 season! These issues have been for the last three years (on and off).

The reason for my recent trips back to the garage are due to a reappearing engine light. The codes have been cleared, a sensor replaced and after a trip only this week (Tuesday) where they fitted a new ECU, the light has returned this morning on my drive to work!

The garage are always reluctant to tell you what the code error is, and we have never been supplied with any paper work to say what they have actually done (I’m not sure if most places do this however).

So, as you do, I did a bit of googling this morning and have found a way of checking for fault codes without having to plug anything into the car (very handy) and have discovered I have a P0130 Fault Code. This represents :

02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1) C-30
O2 Sensor 1 Circuit Voltage Low C-30
O2 Sensor 1 Open Circuit C-30
O2 Sensor 1 Incorrect Signal C-30

So my question is, are there any mechanics/Vauxhall experts out there that can suggest what should be done next to rid me of this annoying engine light and to solve the problem once and for all.

On another note, I have approx.. 4 weeks left of the warranty period so I’m unsure where I stand after this period. Should I complain after this date? Myself and my partner have spent a lot of time having to take the car back and forth, finding other means of transport to work (for me any way).

If anyone has any ideas of what I can try next it would be great as I'm pulling my hair out with the garage not being able to help me!

forgotmyname

Sounds like they are doing as much as they can but you have an intermittent fault thats provong hard to trace.

You need to put it into writing to the garage that you are unhappy that they have not resolved the issue of the warning light coming on.

And in view of the warranty ending soon you require this to be sorted fully.

A proper code reader is a better option though.

What causes the light? When its cold, slightly warm, Hot?
When driven slowly or when moving at speed or accelerating briskly?

Sometimes these lights can come on for a tiny blip in a sensor reading and not return for ages.

rachie_2011

The light is on constantly, it doesn't matter if its hot, cold or wet. The only time it goes out is after its been back to the garage and they do whatever it is they do and reset/clear the error. A day later and the light comes back.

A letter is a good idea, I will put some thing together and take it with me once its been booked back in.

Icey370

I'm guessing you did the pedal test? if you need to reset the codes, unplug the battery for about 30 and that'll clear the codes.

When you drive it, and it comes back on, do the pedal test again. If you did it this way youl know to hold the accelerator and brake pedal and turn the ignition to power (but don't turn the engine on)

If the code can pop up due to a faulty exhaust emissions sensor -- have vauxhall check them to see if they are connected properly (they can be flimsy). If they are connected, ask them to try and replace them. The sensors are quit flimsy and you should check them. There are 2 sensors on the exhuast (on the VXR they are located around the top of the down pipe at the manifold and the other after the cat/sports cat). It could also be caused if your exhaust is blowing or a failed cat...... May I ask which astra you have (trim and engine)? And have you done anything to the exhuast? If you have changed your system, the emissions would be outside the parameters and one way to fix this would bee to remap

Btw, the light shaped like an engine is actually an exhaust emissions light, when solid, there's no need to worry. The engine management light actually appears as a spanner light

HTH

colino

You may be unlucky and a tech is just religiously swapping parts on the code reading. In this case it certainly points at the O2 sensor being duff, but don't let them swap without checking the wiring loom to it. (Wiring faults often lead to unnecessary ecu swaps/failures on vxs too).

rachie_2011

Icey370 wrote: »

Btw, the light shaped like an engine is actually an exhaust emissions light, when solid, there's no need to worry. The engine management light actually appears as a spanner light

HTH

Doh!

Thanks for all the responses guys... the light for now does appear to have vanished for some reason however. Like it's been suggested, it could be a bad connection some where. Will keep an eye on it, but perhaps should take it back to the garage any way - just so when it comes back it's still been logged as an issue.

Thanks again all... :T