A spot of bother.

smashey

Okay guys. I drive a 2000 Vectra 2.0l Di. Last night I was driving on the main Lifford - Letterkenny road and decided to overtake the idiot driving at 40 kph. So I dropped down a gear and .........nothing. The engine died and I had to pull in with the hazard lights flashing. I did notice the immobiliser light came on just as I changed gear. I managed to get a tow to my parents house and arrange for a local mechanic to tow it today (he didn't show up) but he will have it tomorrow. I have tried to start it since with no luck. The engine is turning but not firing. the battery is fine. Any ideas before the mechanic gets his paws on it?

Thanks

BostonB

Assuming all the fluids are fine, and there's no history of anything perhaps its an ECU problem maybe? Fuel pump?

Mr Magnolia

Was it low on fuel? Might have been dirt getting into the system

Did you notice any smoke from the exhaust? Turbo might have blown though you probably would have seen the smoke.

Is it well serviced? It might be something relatively simple, don't panic yet.

BostonB

Any Turbo Diesel I've had which lost the turbo you just lose power. It usually still runs.

smashey

No panic here. I filled it with diesel about five minutes earlier. I didn't notice any smoke as it was dark at the time. One thing, last November, I had to get a data cable replaced as the power kept cutting out and in. (Please don't ask me to explain as my working with cars is fuel, oil and water).

Gary ITR

smashey wrote:

I filled it with diesel about five minutes earlier.

Are you sure it was diesel you put in? Didn't fill it with petrol?

smashey

Onkle wrote:

Are you sure it was diesel you put in? Didn't fill it with petrol?

Definitely diesel. I have the receipt here.

Gary ITR

Just said I'd throw it up there. Did I scare you?

Was the car really low when you filled it up?

smashey

It was relatively low. The light hadn't come on.

Dilbert75

Possibly contaminated diesel? Reputable service station?

smashey

A reputable station and a very busy one. I buy diesel regularly from them.

http://www.vectra-sport.com/forum/index.php

ask over on that website if you dont have any luck here first
Was it the engine warning light that came on?

mike65

Have you had any problems will 'fuel delivery', hard starting, hesitation etc, it could be (whisper it) - the fuel pump. Hope not, they cost a fortune.

Mike.

TychoCaine

Could you have mis-shifted, from 4th to 1st rather than 3rd? You could have over-revved it and either damaged it or stuck it in "safe mode".

byte

A friend of mine had a similar problem with their diesel Astra (not a 2 litre though), turned out to be some chip related to the fuel pump that failed, and he was told it was a relatively common fault.

As I say, his car wasn't the 2l TD, though the fault might be common on both engines?

smashey

TychoCaine wrote:

Could you have mis-shifted, from 4th to 1st rather than 3rd? You could have over-revved it and either damaged it or stuck it in "safe mode".

Don't think so.

mike65 wrote:

Have you had any problems will 'fuel delivery', hard starting, hesitation etc, it could be (whisper it) - the fuel pump. Hope not, they cost a fortune.

No such problems. My thinking is either "fuel pump" or electrical and I hope it is the latter.

byte wrote:

A friend of mine had a similar problem with their diesel Astra (not a 2 litre though), turned out to be some chip related to the fuel pump that failed, and he was told it was a relatively common fault.

I hope it is so easy diagnosed.

Blindjustice, I will check out that forum.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

BostonB

I never thought fuel pumps were that expensive. ECU problems can be.

muffler

Wouldn't have anything to do with carrying ewes in the back seat

hobochris

My cousin had the same thing happen on a Fiat Brava a couple of years ago..

it was a loose connection for the immobiliser. could be the same for you.

what_car

smashey wrote:

Okay guys. I drive a 2000 Vectra 2.0l Di. Last night I was driving on the main Lifford - Letterkenny road and decided to overtake the idiot driving at 40 kph. So I dropped down a gear and .........nothing. The engine died and I had to pull in with the hazard lights flashing. I did notice the immobiliser light came on just as I changed gear. I managed to get a tow to my parents house and arrange for a local mechaninc to tow it today (he didn't show up) but he will have it tomorrow. I have tried to start it since with no luck. The engine is turning but not firing. the battery is fine. Any ideas before the mechanic gets his paws on it?

Thanks

possibly water in diesel? sometimes the orange light comes on when there is water in the fuel system... happened me a few years ago.
take a sample of diesel from your tank..and see if theres any water in it..

smashey

Got the thing checked out and it is the diesel injector pump. :eek: There goes the weekend.

mike65

I'd nearly suggest geting one from a breakers except it'll proberly need replacing in no time.

Mike.

smashey

The breakers it is for now. £200 - 250 stg. I might buy a bicycle.

Dilbert75

Try diesel repair specialists - you might get it reconditioned at a lower price than that.

smashey

I aready have it. Should be fitted tomorrow.

Thanks all.

BostonB

Thats not too bad and easy fix.

smashey

BostonB wrote:

Thats not too bad and easy fix.

Mmmmm.

My mechanic described it as awkward. We'll see.

BostonB

smashey wrote:

Mmmmm.

My mechanic described it as awkward. We'll see.

I meant its a specific problem, rather than some random ECU or similar fault.

smashey

Sorry BostonB, I picked you up wrongly there. You're right, at least we know what it is.