Car 'coughing'/hesitation when driving.

Inner_Zone

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Ok i'll give you that. As i explained though, i thought this would be just a general mechanical issue and not car specific. I know a small bit about cars but don't pretend to know a lot.

Once upon a time maybe but with today more complex engineering unlikely see below.

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

You don't need to be mystic meg though. The answer was right there. If our posts were at the same time or a minute or so apart then i could give you that also but they were 10 minutes apart. I make long posts but that one with the answer to the question was short. You scrolled beyond the OP to see daveyjp's answer which was a small post so you must've seen my follow up too.

I was not aware of the forum rule that I had to respond instantly. If you had posted more info I would not have wasted my time and to quote you "thread digging".

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Is there an easy test to determine whether it's the coil pack or fuel pump or is it a case of replace one and see if the problem continues?

Some engines etc have well know issues, and as manufactures sometimes buy engines and other parts from each other, the faults can cover a wide range of vehicles. So details are important, not just a generic "car".

JustAnotherSaver

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Once upon a time maybe but with today more complex engineering unlikely see below.

That's fine. Like i said, i only have a little knowledge on cars. I don't even pretend to know a lot.

I was not aware of the forum rule that I had to respond instantly. If you had posted more info I would not have wasted my time and to quote you "thread digging".

You've misinterpreted me. Nowhere did i say you needed to respond instantly.
Though as my post was 10 minutes before yours and you'd managed to scroll as far as post number 2 which wasn't even a large post, it isn't unreasonable to then think you'd at the very least see post 3, see it's from me, check to see if i'd answered the guy and then you maybe respond.


Alternatively you could choose to not read the answer and throw everyone off?

Some engines etc have well know issues, and as manufactures sometimes buy engines and other parts from each other, the faults can cover a wide range of vehicles. So details are important, not just a generic "car".

As asked, is there a test that can determine, or at least give a better indication, of where the problem is (coilpack / fuel pump)?

Shaun_of_the_Dead

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

That's fine. Like i said, i only have a little knowledge on cars. I don't even pretend to know a lot.

You've misinterpreted me. Nowhere did i say you needed to respond instantly.
Though as my post was 10 minutes before yours and you'd managed to scroll as far as post number 2 which wasn't even a large post, it isn't unreasonable to then think you'd at the very least see post 3, see it's from me, check to see if i'd answered the guy and then you maybe respond.


Alternatively you could choose to not read the answer and throw everyone off?



As asked, is there a test that can determine, or at least give a better indication, of where the problem is (coilpack / fuel pump)?

Still making friends online.

bigadaj

Had a 63 plate Astra with the 1.4 petrol. Two coil packs were replaced in less than five years, first was under warranty, but had to pay for the second though got some goodwill from Vauxhall the second time.

Got the impression it wasn't an unusual problem.

JustAnotherSaver

Shaun_of_the_Dead wrote: »

Still making friends online.

Still following me with useful comments

bigadaj wrote: »

Had a 63 plate Astra with the 1.4 petrol. Two coil packs were replaced in less than five years, first was under warranty, but had to pay for the second though got some goodwill from Vauxhall the second time.

Got the impression it wasn't an unusual problem.

I think that's the Astra J. Not sure if some common issues will have travelled over or not. Very possible from what i've read about the shift from the G to the H.


I've owned the Z18XE for the past 11 years. Bought at 111k and currently on about 179k & never needed a new coil pack at all. Not for a minute am i suggesting that there isn't or can't be a problem with them. Maybe i just got lucky. My car was second hand and quite old so from what i've heard, considering i've been relatively trouble free i've been very very lucky.

JustAnotherSaver

Ok so this issue is still persisting. The problem has developed in to not just struggling to start but simply not starting at all.

A few months ago I was at work and my wife came to go out for the day but just couldn't. She tried starting the car numerous times and it refused. It would turn over but just wouldn't fire up if you get me?

Not that slow chug....chug.....chug sound you get when the battery is dying (battery was replaced Sept 2018 with one of those Halfords 4 year batteries) but it was as though it was going to start normally, it just wouldn't fire up. So she had to abandon her plans altogether.

Today I was home and heard it myself. She tried 4 times to start the car but nothing at all each time. In the end she took my car.

NOTE: This only happens when the engine is cold (or has only done so so far). So first thing in a morning or when she's about to come home after work. It wont do it / hasn't done it when she's travelled to the shops & then 30mins later is about to come home.

I've changed the spark plugs for genuine GM ones.

I've now changed the coil pack for genuine Delphi one.

After its little hissy fit this morning i plugged in OPCOM and took readings:

The text version of the fault is:

**********************ECU ID STARTS**********************
Source Address: UEC
Source Address: 0x00000250
Identifier: 0x0108
VIN:
System name: FZM_LC INTEDIS
Hardware number:13220435
Part Number:13250231
Software version number: FZM_LC 7.00F00
System description: INTED0400
Hardware key number:  49HSG5  
Programming Date: FFFFFFFF
Alpha code:  JZ
Manufacturing date: 20070110

Number of stored fault codes: 1

B0575 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
(02)  - Not present

**********************ECU ID ENDS**********************

I see mention of crankshaft sensor but when searching about this and what's happening, i'm not so convinced that that's the fix.

Spoke to a mechanic who to be honest didn't seem that interested & said it's likely the battery, even when i told him it was replaced Sept 2018. Yes i'm aware that that's no guarantee of it being a decent battery but still. I'm not pretending to know more than the next man, far from it. I'm just not convinced.

Any ideas?

BTW - there's no guarantee this fault wasn't there before todays episode. It's been a while since i had OPCOM plugged in. May be an old code although i'd doubt it'd be all that old if it was one.

mcpitman

Clear the codes, try restarting and read the codes again.

That way you know it is not a historic code you are looking at.

Lamda sensor? Fuel pump?

Goudy

I'm not a VX expert, but I seem to think the Z16XEP has an EGR valve.
If it's blocked/sticking you'll get hesitation/stuttering if you reapply the throttle after a steady cruise.
If it's sticking open it'll strangle the engine of air which can cause starting issues.

MinuteNoodles

Scrapit said:

Petrol engines have a basic function. Fuel, air, spark. A lack of all or any will cause problems.Check those first.

You missed compression. Need that as well and it's often something people overlook and don't bother checking. Too low compression will cause a misfire. Low compression can be worn piston rings or it can be a problem with an exhaust valve being burnt out or a problem with the valve seat.

JustAnotherSaver

Regards the codes - I was going through deleting photos from my camera roll and i saw earlier in the year i'd actually taken a photo of a code that was thrown up after the car had a hissy fit and wouldn't start. It's the exact same code

B0575-02 Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

So it's at least a recurrent issue.

I didn't even know this engine had an EGR valve. With everything that's described and the non starting, do you think that's a likely shout?

I clean the throttle body each year which doesn't get that caked tbh. I've only ever had accelerating issues with a dirty throttle body though and not starting issues so while maybe not impossible, i wouldn't have thought it'd be that since i keep on top of it.