astra hesitates

clarke1991 · 11-03-2010, 19:03

iv got a 00 astra that im having a problem with (1.4L).

when you put the boot down it wont take off as it should, it jumps a lot as if it doesn't want to go propely. traveling at a steady speed is ok but its dodgy when overtaking as it can be very slow and then get a sudden boost of power (of what a 1.4 has lol).

also when it's sitting idle the revs go very low and come back to normal.

i hooked it up to a diagnostics comp and the crank shaft sensor showed up, which i changed but it didn't sort it out. i also changed the fuel filter just to be safe but it didn't solve the problem.

there is nothing showing up on diagnostics although it wasn't a proper opel computer (one of those that will do every car).

iv spent over €100 on it already and its 50 more to go to an opel garage for a proper diagnostics test

where i was previousley at a nissan garage and dont have a lot of money to spend on it as i am a student using it for college. i think its the coil pack but its a gamble getting one for €140 more when nothing is showing on the comp?

any ideas?

thanks

Hal1 · 11-03-2010, 19:21

I would start with cleaning the trottle body.

Before:

After:

Get some cleaner thats suitable for cleaning it and not just wd40. As you could risk removing the protective coating inside it.
Found a 'how to' guide here on astraownersnetwork.co.uk

testarossa40 · 11-03-2010, 21:24

Classic symptoms of failed ignition coil pack - same happened to mine (when I had one) and can still remember the near-coronaries I used to have trying to pull away from red lights or making right-hand turns...

I've no idea if this should show up on diags or not. It's an extremely common problem on '98-'04 1.4 Astras and if your Opel garage hasn't already suggested this to you they're taking you for a ride...

You could probably buy the part for far less on line - hopefully someone more knowledgeable on this than me will post details on what to search for.

PS the throttle body suggestion is good & cheap to check/do but my money is on the coil...

clarke1991 · 11-03-2010, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by testarossa40

Classic symptoms of failed ignition coil pack - same happened to mine (when I had one) and can still remember the near-coronaries I used to have trying to pull away from red lights or making right-hand turns...

I've no idea if this should show up on diags or not. It's an extremely common problem on '98-'04 1.4 Astras and if your Opel garage hasn't already suggested this to you they're taking you for a ride...

You could probably buy the part for far less on line - hopefully someone more knowledgeable on this than me will post details on what to search for.

PS the throttle body suggestion is good & cheap to check/do but my money is on the coil...

thats exactley it

! i cant stand trying to gather speed when there is something coming up behind you on a main road

! it was my cousin that checked it out and he reckons its that aswell!

i might take a chance and get a coil pack tomorrow in a scrap yard for €60! fingers crossed

johndaman66 · 11-03-2010, 22:55

Hi Clarke1991,

I would also be of the opinion that it is the coil pack. Symptoms are very similar to those I experienced when mine gave up the ghost on a 2000 vectra. Mine also used to keep revving high when you took your foot of the gas the odd time. You may be in luck if your near Limerick as I have one for sale for 40quid (see my ad on adverts.ie). I will send you a pm to provide further information and if you are interested we can do the deal on the adverts.ie.

Bobo78 · 11-03-2010, 23:40

Hi lads, dont want to hijack the thread but I need your help, I have almost exactly the same symptoms with my car but it only happens for first few miles while engine is warming up.
Later as it gets warmed up it doesnt do that anymore.
I v been to diagnsotics and computer doesnt show anything.
By now I v changed air flow meter, cleaned throttle body and idle air control valve.

So please let me know what you think.

**Lucifer** · 12-03-2010, 00:12

One problem that hasnt beed mentioned is the EGR valve. It will cause more of the symptoms such as reving up and down at lights aswell as sudden power loss and gain. It will also cause hard starting, it will take a good few turns before the engine will start. If your problems sound like this then this could be your problem.

If you have a problem with your coil pack you will notice the sound of a misfire when accelerating. It will sound like it is missing a beat. You also may notice revs dropping but it wont be reving up like an EGR. Your astra, being a 2000 reg is a X14XE engine (the Z14XE was used from 2001 on) so it wont usually show an engine management light for some problems. It wont show up a missfire from a faulty coil as it is only fitted with one oxygen sensor so it cannot pick up the fault. If it sounds like the above then you should replace the coil pack and plugs.

**Lucifer** · 12-03-2010, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo78

Hi lads, dont want to hijack the thread but I need your help, I have almost exactly the same symptoms with my car but it only happens for first few miles while engine is warming up.
Later as it gets warmed up it doesnt do that anymore.
I v been to diagnsotics and computer doesnt show anything.
By now I v changed air flow meter, cleaned throttle body and idle air control valve.

So please let me know what you think.

What car have you got? the 98-04 astra doesnt have an airflow meter.

Bobo78 · 12-03-2010, 01:18

My car is Mazda 6 1.8l petrol 04

Hal1 · 12-03-2010, 02:08

Easier to start a new thread or this will just get messy. Bobo78

clarke1991 · 13-03-2010, 11:44

cheers everyone for the responces but i got it sorted out with a coil pack. i had checked the EGR valve aswell. yes, it did sound like a miss when it was accelerating but its all ok now

Hal1 · 13-03-2010, 17:38

Great, I'm glad it was an easy fix. Thanks for getting back to let us know the outcome.

testarossa40 · 13-03-2010, 23:36

Great stuff - thanks for letting us know!

11-03-2010, 19:03	#1
clarke1991 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mayo/Limerick Posts: 212 Adverts \| Friends	astra hesitates iv got a 00 astra that im having a problem with (1.4L). when you put the boot down it wont take off as it should, it jumps a lot as if it doesn't want to go propely. traveling at a steady speed is ok but its dodgy when overtaking as it can be very slow and then get a sudden boost of power (of what a 1.4 has lol). also when it's sitting idle the revs go very low and come back to normal. i hooked it up to a diagnostics comp and the crank shaft sensor showed up, which i changed but it didn't sort it out. i also changed the fuel filter just to be safe but it didn't solve the problem. there is nothing showing up on diagnostics although it wasn't a proper opel computer (one of those that will do every car). iv spent over €100 on it already and its 50 more to go to an opel garage for a proper diagnostics test where i was previousley at a nissan garage and dont have a lot of money to spend on it as i am a student using it for college. i think its the coil pack but its a gamble getting one for €140 more when nothing is showing on the comp? any ideas? thanks

11-03-2010, 19:21	#2
Hal1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,417 Adverts \| Friends	I would start with cleaning the trottle body. Before: After: Get some cleaner thats suitable for cleaning it and not just wd40. As you could risk removing the protective coating inside it. Found a 'how to' guide here on astraownersnetwork.co.uk Last edited by Hal1; 11-03-2010 at 19:26.

12-03-2010, 02:08	#10
Hal1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,417 Adverts \| Friends	Easier to start a new thread or this will just get messy. Bobo78 Last edited by Hal1; 13-03-2010 at 17:37.

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11-03-2010, 21:24	#3
testarossa40 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 85 Adverts \| Friends	Classic symptoms of failed ignition coil pack - same happened to mine (when I had one) and can still remember the near-coronaries I used to have trying to pull away from red lights or making right-hand turns... I've no idea if this should show up on diags or not. It's an extremely common problem on '98-'04 1.4 Astras and if your Opel garage hasn't already suggested this to you they're taking you for a ride... You could probably buy the part for far less on line - hopefully someone more knowledgeable on this than me will post details on what to search for. PS the throttle body suggestion is good & cheap to check/do but my money is on the coil...

11-03-2010, 22:55	#5
johndaman66 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: County Limerick Posts: 782 Adverts \| Friends	Hi Clarke1991, I would also be of the opinion that it is the coil pack. Symptoms are very similar to those I experienced when mine gave up the ghost on a 2000 vectra. Mine also used to keep revving high when you took your foot of the gas the odd time. You may be in luck if your near Limerick as I have one for sale for 40quid (see my ad on adverts.ie). I will send you a pm to provide further information and if you are interested we can do the deal on the adverts.ie.

11-03-2010, 23:40	#6
Bobo78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 310 Adverts \| Friends	Hi lads, dont want to hijack the thread but I need your help, I have almost exactly the same symptoms with my car but it only happens for first few miles while engine is warming up. Later as it gets warmed up it doesnt do that anymore. I v been to diagnsotics and computer doesnt show anything. By now I v changed air flow meter, cleaned throttle body and idle air control valve. So please let me know what you think.

12-03-2010, 00:12	#7
Lucifer Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,068 Adverts \| Friends Mod: HE General	One problem that hasnt beed mentioned is the EGR valve. It will cause more of the symptoms such as reving up and down at lights aswell as sudden power loss and gain. It will also cause hard starting, it will take a good few turns before the engine will start. If your problems sound like this then this could be your problem. If you have a problem with your coil pack you will notice the sound of a misfire when accelerating. It will sound like it is missing a beat. You also may notice revs dropping but it wont be reving up like an EGR. Your astra, being a 2000 reg is a X14XE engine (the Z14XE was used from 2001 on) so it wont usually show an engine management light for some problems. It wont show up a missfire from a faulty coil as it is only fitted with one oxygen sensor so it cannot pick up the fault. If it sounds like the above then you should replace the coil pack and plugs.

12-03-2010, 01:18	#9
Bobo78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 310 Adverts \| Friends	My car is Mazda 6 1.8l petrol 04

13-03-2010, 11:44	#11
clarke1991 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mayo/Limerick Posts: 212 Adverts \| Friends	cheers everyone for the responces but i got it sorted out with a coil pack. i had checked the EGR valve aswell. yes, it did sound like a miss when it was accelerating but its all ok now

13-03-2010, 17:38	#12
Hal1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,417 Adverts \| Friends	Great, I'm glad it was an easy fix. Thanks for getting back to let us know the outcome.

13-03-2010, 23:36	#13
testarossa40 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 85 Adverts \| Friends	Great stuff - thanks for letting us know!