Electronic Light illuminated and loss of power.

cormie

Hi,
Have a little problem with a Astra G that the same light as this:


has come on, actually it's only seemed to have ever come on when doing long distance or speed over 110kmph.

I went to Wexford the last day the same happened, this light came on and the power wasn't constant, and if I put the foot down it wouldn't improve, in fact it even seemed to lose power going downhill more than uphill, but only seemed to happen at about 120kmph. The manual says this which would explain it:

******* Lights up for a few seconds when ignition is switched on.
If the lamp comes on when the engine is running, there is a fault in the engine or transmission electronics. The electronics switch to limp-home mode, fuel consumption may increase and the driveability of the vehicle may be affected.
In some cases the fault can be eliminated by switching the engine off and back on again. If the control indicator again lights up when the engine is running, consult a workshop to have the cause of the fault eliminated. We recommend your Vauxhall Approved Repairer. ***********

Would anyone be able to have a guess as what the problem may be or may be related too? What electronics would affect accelerator power? Also, is this something any mechanic should be able to fix or should I actually take it to an Opel approved one? Would they need Opel/Vauxhall diagnostic tools specifically, or would any diagnostics be able to tell what it is?

Any feedback appreciated

cormie

Seems to be happening quite often again now. Will try and get it looked at this week. If anyone can suggest if I can take it to any mechanic, or is something like this only fixable by an opel dealer?

Muckie

Ring an indy garage explain the problem and if the they have the scan tool(s) they should be able to diagnose and fix the problem. From what i here
Opel dealers can be pricey on doing the job.

At a guess i reckon its your MAF/air sensor or throttle body thats at fault. Could be just a matter of getting it cleaned out.

crosshair1

year? engine size? mileage?

cormie

Thanks for the replies. 2001 1.4 petrol, 170K

Would the exhaust effect something like this at all? What's MAF?

shamwari

cormie wrote: »

Would anyone be able to have a guess as what the problem may be or may be related too? What electronics would affect accelerator power? Also, is this something any mechanic should be able to fix or should I actually take it to an Opel approved one? Would they need Opel/Vauxhall diagnostic tools specifically, or would any diagnostics be able to tell what it is?

Any feedback appreciated

OP, in order to accurately ascertain the cause of your cars problem, it will need to be scanned using suitable diagnostic equipment to determine the cause. Most decent mechanics nowadays have such diagnostic equipment in their workshop, and therefore your car does not necessarily need to be brought to a main dealer.

Faults like this can have any one of a number of cause(s), and whilst some here will no doubt suggest several potential causes, the true cause will not be established until the car is properly diagnosed. The behaviour of the car is indicative of perhaps one or two particular causes (EGR or Airflow being favourite), but it would be very unwise to start replacing parts solely on a hunch, hoping that you have guessed right.

Muckie

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. 2001 1.4 petrol, 170K

Would the exhaust effect something like this at all? What's MAF?

Mass Air Flow-sensor responds to the amount of a fluid (usually a gas) flowing through a chamber containing the sensor.

Its located on the pipe connected to the Air box. It regulates the flow/mix
or air to the engine. From what you describe it could be your problem.

But it could also be another sensor gone. Diagnostic scan is a must, save you guessing.

shamwari

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. 2001 1.4 petrol, 170K

Would the exhaust effect something like this at all? What's MAF?

Unless it was blocked or damaged, exhaust is an unlikely cause.

MAF is mass airflow meter. This device measures the amount of air entering the engine, and is used by the computer to calculate and control fueling. MAF's on Opels are usually made by Bosch, and they are notoriously troublesome. The MAF is located in the air intake trunking before the air filter.

shamwari

Muckie wrote: »

Mass Air Flow-sensor responds to the amount of a fluid (usually a gas) flowing through a chamber containing the sensor.

How can a fluid be a gas??

crosshair1

A gas is a fluid, fact! A fluid is basically anything liquid/gas that can flow.

A z14xe astra does not have a maf, fact!

EGR or blocked cat/exhaust are highly possible culprits but the cheapest way out is to have the codes read and proceed from there.

Lucifer

Your astra doesnt have a mass air flow meter, it measures airflow using a MAP sensor (manifold absolute pressure). To properly tell you the problem you need it checked with opel diagnostic software. The spanner light that is on is not your engine management light so a regular EOBD scanner will probably not show you the code. Send me a PM of where you are based and I will scan it for you if Im not too far away.

EDIT - Beaten to it!

EDIT 2 - Just to add, an egr problem should give an EML not spanner light, your problem is related to electrics rather than emmision related problems. Most likely cause is going to be a signal problem between ECU and accelerator pedal.

cormie

Thanks very much for the replies, very helpful

The exhaust is a bit rusty looking which is why I thought maybe that had something to do with it.

Thanks for the offer Lucifer, the car is in Dun Laoghaire at the moment. To scan it I guess you have to come and hook up the software to the engine? When you say opel diagnostic software, do you have this, and would most independent mechanics have it?

Esel

Cormie, I'd guess you would have to go to Lucifer!

shamwari

Head now hanging in shame.....:o

It's an IAT sensor where I thought the MAF would be. The older X14's had the bosch maf, not the Z14's :o

Where's my Tech2 gone?

cormie

The NCT was approaching on this so I decided to put it through before getting that light checked (knowing it would fail but I think a list of failures is worth the 28eur recheck fee). Anyway, it failed on a leak in the exhaust. Perhaps this is something to do with the light? Maybe there's not enough power getting through somehow because of this? I haven't a clue, just guessing.

Interesting failure though, there's a rear upper centre brake light on the back window and because this was covered with vinyl from sign writing, this was also a fail point so I've to cut out a bit of vinyl around the light and then it should be fine. Thought it was interesting as I've the exact same on the other astra which passed the DOE with it no problem. Both Astra G's, just one is a van and the other an estate, but both have the exact same signwriting pretty much.

Andrew Campbell

I had a similar problem with a zafira, Turned out to be a faulty ecu mounted on side of engine. new ones are very expensive but they can be fixed for half the price if you are prepared to be without the car for a week. If thats your problem PM me and i'll give you the details

cormie

Hopefully it's not that Will get it checked out by Lucifer along with the other fail items and hopefully it'll be ok!