Opel Astra engine light on dash stays on

Octopus

Hi

Looking for a little advice please.

The engine symbol on the dash of my fathers Opel Astra (03) is staying on.
Origionally it was flashing for a short time but it now stays on steady.

According to the manual it's related to the exhaust emissions.
He had this problem about a year ago and the garage told him they changed a sensor to fix the problem but now it's gone again.

Does anyone know where the emissions sensor is located as i'd like to check it out and possibly replace rather than him having to go to the garage again.

Mr.Diagnostic

Hi,

The Orange engine symbol warning light will come on to tell you that a fault has been detected in the engine management system. There are numerous possible causes. I am afraid the only possible course of action is to have it diagnosed.

furtzy

Mr.Diagnostic wrote:

Hi,

The Orange engine symbol warning light will come on to tell you that a fault has been detected in the engine management system. There are numerous possible causes. I am afraid the only possible course of action is to have it diagnosed.

Exactly that. It will have to hooked up to the Tech 2 diagnostic machine at the Opel dealer. All faults are logged so they'll be able to tell you what it is straight away

Mr. Larson

Get it seen to ASAP. I foolishly ignored the sme light on an Astra GL and ended up with a new engine a few weeks later. Head gasket blew and engine overheated so badly it melted the pistons etc.

furtzy

Jabberwocky wrote:

Get it seen to ASAP. I foolishly ignored the sme light on an Astra GL and ended up with a new engine a few weeks later. Head gasket blew and engine overheated so badly it melted the pistons etc.

Would agree with that. This warning light covers a multitude of problems some minor but also some very major ones.

Octopus

Thanks for the responses all, looks like it's the garage so.

Vikings

furtzy wrote:

Exactly that. It will have to hooked up to the Tech 2 diagnostic machine at the Opel dealer. All faults are logged so they'll be able to tell you what it is straight away

While on that point does anyone know the average amount a garage would charge for that?

I've seen the engine light on my 01 Astra a few more times that I would like and think its time I got it checked.

Also the airbag light never can make up its mind whether it wants to be on or off so want that checked as well, anyone got a rough idea of how much I will be charged?

furtzy

IncredibleBulk wrote:

While on that point does anyone know the average amount a garage would charge for that?

I've seen the engine light on my 01 Astra a few more times that I would like and think its time I got it checked.

Also the airbag light never can make up its mind whether it wants to be on or off so want that checked as well, anyone got a rough idea of how much I will be charged?

If you whatevers wrong fixed with the dealer then there would be no charge for the diagnosis and just a charge for the fix

Mr.Diagnostic

furtzy wrote:

Exactly that. It will have to hooked up to the Tech 2 diagnostic machine at the Opel dealer. All faults are logged so they'll be able to tell you what it is straight away

Close, but not quite. It certainly does not have to be a dealer. It is often quicker and cheaper to use an independent garage.
Sometimes it is possible to tell what is wrong straight away but not always. It often needs further diagnosis/testing.

furtzy

Mr.Diagnostic wrote:

Close, but not quite. It certainly does not have to be a dealer. It is often quicker and cheaper to use an independent garage.
Sometimes it is possible to tell what is wrong straight away but not always. It often needs further diagnosis/testing.

Interesting. Is the diagnostic software generic or do you need the "Opel" version?

Mr Magnolia

IncredibleBulk wrote:

While on that point does anyone know the average amount a garage would charge for that?

Generally €30 for a diagnostics check, my moneys on the egr valve btw, happened an opel i had.

johnny_adidas

you could try this, might save you a few bob. all you need is a paperclip to flash the codes

http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/fault_codes/fault_codes.htm

not sure about your astra but it works on my calibra

also i had mine diagnosed in an opel garage, costing 50 euro, and neither of the faults they came up with were the cause of the light being on. they were also willing to charge me double what i sourced the parts from the uk for, in fact its still on, 8 months later.

furtzy

johnny_adidas wrote:

you could try this, might save you a few bob. all you need is a paperclip to flash the codes

http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/fault_codes/fault_codes.htm

not sure about your astra but it works on my calibra

Seen it being done on an old vectra but apparently doesn't work on the newer ECU's

johnny_adidas

sorry just spotted its a 03. damn i need more sleep

Mr.Diagnostic

furtzy wrote:

Interesting. Is the diagnostic software generic or do you need the "Opel" version?

There are many aftermarket scan tools available that cover Opel very well.

zt-OctaviaN

Hey sparks you gussed it would be the EGR valve, ive read a bit bout those.
My 00 astra 1.4 has NO Torque and the engine doesnt wind in with power above 4000rpm but does rev out! (ok it is only 1.4 but its a pain at low rpm) fuel economy is about 340miles to the tank where as same driving/journeys i used to get 410
This an EGR problem? Feels like the car is a little chocked up! runs smooth but no power.
You have a picture of the little begger? Id love to try a 2nd hand one out to see if it is?

mukki

egr valve went in an 01 astra i had, cost €160 to replace, but car was like a kangeroo until i got it fixed

Mr Magnolia

@ zt-OctaviaN
Mukki has described what happens when it's proper fcuked:

mukki wrote:

egr valve went in an 01 astra i had, cost €160 to replace, but car was like a kangeroo until i got it fixed

You can try cleaning it, t'is here:
EGR Valve.jpg

Use some WD40 and try actuating the valve to remove the black gunk.
Even if this isn't the problem it will improve your drive.

You can also clean the throttle body housing and the hose's feeding it, they could be bunged up, this will also cause the engine to be starved of air.

Keep an eye on the oil level for a few weeks after you do all this.

Only do this if you feel your competant enough, take it to a garage if your in doubt

zt-OctaviaN

Oh..
hmm I thought the Idle speed controller stepper mototr caused the Kangarooing?
hmm must try inspecting the EGR again last i checked it was fairly loose?
cheers.
Did a new EGR restore performance? Mine just feels as if someone has a sock over the air intake or exhaust just flat as pancake when accelerating. I have gotten rid of about 1/2 a pound of gunk out of the air inlet hoses that lead into the block from the air intake area!
theres 98k miles on clock btw.
I get kangarooing at exactly 1600rpm at stable revs then bouncy bouncy!
Could engine timing cause these symptoms?
n

Diydantheman

Ihave a 01 astra saloon with the dash light on for three weeks and kickback in top gear. After looking on here i took out and cleaned the EGR valve and turned it upside down and filled the holes with WD40. I also cleaned the breather hoses from the rocker cover and throttle housing. After i had this finished i started the car and the light was gone so i took it for a drive and wow i had way more power, going perfect since. THANKS Lads. I also hear a rattley noise coming from the front drivers side driving slow on a rough road, ive checked the track rod, tie rod,balljoint,wishbone bush,anti roll bush all are good so it seems. Does not seem to happen in wet conditions only in the dry. Can anyone help. Thanks.

earthmover68

Octopus wrote: »

Hi

Looking for a little advice please.

The engine symbol on the dash of my fathers Opel Astra (03) is staying on.
Origionally it was flashing for a short time but it now stays on steady.

According to the manual it's related to the exhaust emissions.
He had this problem about a year ago and the garage told him they changed a sensor to fix the problem but now it's gone again.

Does anyone know where the emissions sensor is located as i'd like to check it out and possibly replace rather than him having to go to the garage again.

anyone having trouble with oxygen sensors but have replaced them and still having trouble should check manifold vacume line,especially where it connects to manifold under & behind throttle body!! had problem with misses car. rubber connecter was perished!!!