Insignia repair issues

Antoh · 11-12-2020 01:14AM #1

Hi,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I have a 172 Insignia that I bought November last year. I bought the car with 96k approx km on it from a dealer. Within a few weeks the engine management light came on and car went into limp mode. After restart out of limp and a few cycles later light was off, then happened again a few days later. As car was not 3 years old and below 100k I brought it to Opel dealer under warranty. At this stage car was on 99k. Dealer checked the car had it for a few days and in the end after replacing some turbo pipes said that it was a faulty turbo and replaced under warranty. When I collected the car the dealer mentioned that the turbo was also replaced at approx 92km by last owner with reconditioned unit and they put in a new one (ex rental car)

Off I went happy with repaired car now at 101km from dealer employee enjoying driving my car home and back for a week. A few months later car at approx 106k engine management light on again and into limp mode. Again restart and out of limp and light off within a few cycles then a few days later same again. Contacted dealer brought it in again and they tell me light came on as dpf regeneration was interupted so car just logged it and they cleared fault and it should be fine. Left dealer went for an hour long drive and management light back on and in limp mode. Called dealer next day and told to bring back in. This time after a few days they tell me possibly a sensor but need more time. Another few days and they tell me it could be an ecu issue but they are contacting opel for advice. Few days later again they tell me opel said to replace turbo again and they will honor under warranty even though it was expired (3rd time replaced in less than 20k) as last time it was a reconditioned turbo, even thought I was told it was new. A few days pass car is ready off I go no more issue.

Just a few weeks later car now at 109k same again engine light, limp mode, call dealer. This time they check car and its now the ecu or possibly wiring loom. Ecu €1200 or if that doesn't work loom €1500, bit much before Christmas.

Anyone any advice on what I should do as its too coincidental for turbo to go 3 times in such a short space of time then to have issue again so soon after. Dealer not giving much info and Opel Ireland wont discuss it. Am I just stuck with paying out or have I got some chance of getting dealer to repair as car was not diagnosed correctly the 1st time.

Thanks

corks finest · 11-12-2020 10:39AM

Antoh wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I have a 172 Insignia that I bought November last year. I bought the car with 96k approx km on it from a dealer. Within a few weeks the engine management light came on and car went into limp mode. After restart out of limp and a few cycles later light was off, then happened again a few days later. As car was not 3 years old and below 100k I brought it to Opel dealer under warranty. At this stage car was on 99k. Dealer checked the car had it for a few days and in the end after replacing some turbo pipes said that it was a faulty turbo and replaced under warranty. When I collected the car the dealer mentioned that the turbo was also replaced at approx 92km by last owner with reconditioned unit and they put in a new one (ex rental car)

Off I went happy with repaired car now at 101km from dealer employee enjoying driving my car home and back for a week. A few months later car at approx 106k engine management light on again and into limp mode. Again restart and out of limp and light off within a few cycles then a few days later same again. Contacted dealer brought it in again and they tell me light came on as dpf regeneration was interupted so car just logged it and they cleared fault and it should be fine. Left dealer went for an hour long drive and management light back on and in limp mode. Called dealer next day and told to bring back in. This time after a few days they tell me possibly a sensor but need more time. Another few days and they tell me it could be an ecu issue but they are contacting opel for advice. Few days later again they tell me opel said to replace turbo again and they will honor under warranty even though it was expired (3rd time replaced in less than 20k) as last time it was a reconditioned turbo, even thought I was told it was new. A few days pass car is ready off I go no more issue.

Just a few weeks later car now at 109k same again engine light, limp mode, call dealer. This time they check car and its now the ecu or possibly wiring loom. Ecu €1200 or if that doesn't work loom €1500, bit much before Christmas.

Anyone any advice on what I should do as its too coincidental for turbo to go 3 times in such a short space of time then to have issue again so soon after. Dealer not giving much info and Opel Ireland wont discuss it. Am I just stuck with paying out or have I got some chance of getting dealer to repair as car was not diagnosed correctly the 1st time.

Thanks

I’d contact Opel Ireland ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª if twas me with all paperwork and ask politely can anything be done ref all issues etc, receipts and service history are a must for motor companies, keep the cool give them reasonable time to reply, check Opel forums for similar issues and copy and paste anything official the op got from Opel, I’m straight up here if that didn’t work I’d send them something legal as in demand a different car or have the full work done by Opel ( with a warranty)
These motors are know lemons ( not all models)
My own brother has one with all the bells n whistles but I’m just waiting for the phone call to tell me the bad news, advised him prior to purchase ref Dpf problems

Antoh · 11-12-2020 10:48AM

corks finest wrote: »

I’d contact Opel Ireland ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª if twas me with all paperwork and ask politely can anything be done ref all issues etc, receipts and service history are a must for motor companies, keep the cool give them reasonable time to reply, check Opel forums for similar issues and copy and paste anything official the op got from Opel, I’m straight up here if that didn’t work I’d send them something legal as in demand a different car or have the full work done by Opel ( with a warranty)
These motors are know lemons ( not all models)
My own brother has one with all the bells n whistles but I’m just waiting for the phone call to tell me the bad news, advised him prior to purchase ref Dpf problems

I'm waiting on dealer to call me back so I can request details from past repairs and service. When I called Opel they were not much help just said I need to discuss with dealer so I'll see what they say. Might try for a second opinion from an ecu specialist and see what they say

corks finest · 11-12-2020 04:23PM

Antoh wrote: »

I'm waiting on dealer to call me back so I can request details from past repairs and service. When I called Opel they were not much help just said I need to discuss with dealer so I'll see what they say. Might try for a second opinion from an ecu specialist and see what they say

Get it in on their computer get a print out they can’t refuse

Hellrazer · 11-12-2020 07:50PM

Whats the symptoms? These don't give turbo problems.
The intercooler pipes also don't go on them.

Id personally suspect the rear nox sensor, accelerator pedal or wastegate control solenoid.

If I was asked straight out its the wastegate solenoid. That's gives all the symptoms of a faulty turbo. Error code is usually "turbo under boost" on the Opel diagnostic.

I got caught out once with this before after replacing a turbo on an Insignia and the problem returning.

If you want to pm me the reg I can check what work was done on it for you.

Antoh · 11-12-2020 09:24PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

Whats the symptoms? These don't give turbo problems.
The intercooler pipes also don't go on them.

Id personally suspect the rear nox sensor, accelerator pedal or wastegate control solenoid.

If I was asked straight out its the wastegate solenoid. That's gives all the symptoms of a faulty turbo. Error code is usually "turbo under boost" on the Opel diagnostic.

I got caught out once with this before after replacing a turbo on an Insignia and the problem returning.

If you want to pm me the reg I can check what work was done on it for you.

Pm sent. Only symptom iv seen is dpf regeneration happens then soon after management light on and limp mode on. After restart car ok. Management light goes off after a few restarts but if left long enough happens again. Ecu doesn't seem possible but if car had a valet before I bought it possibly could have soaked the ecu. Happened to me before on an older car but it still ran ok for 4+ years after

johndaman66 · 12-12-2020 10:49AM

There are some notable a$$h0les to be dealing with time and time again on boards.ie and very noticeably so on the motors forum which would make me question why do I bother with it at times.
However, when there people as helpful and provide input as knowledgeable as Hellrazer did just there I will refuse to give it up!

corsav6 · 12-12-2020 10:58AM

I'll jump on the wastegate solinoid too, had to replace ours after the exact same issues and some Vauxhall forum research.

I've never heard of the dpf issues stated above, ours had over 150k and a lot of short trips. Oil and filter every 10k and keep driving during a regen to let it complete. Insignia is a lovely car and very reliable when serviced and not abused.

Hellrazer · 12-12-2020 11:41AM

I've looked at the history and someone isn't doing their job properly.

There's been 3 turbos fitted within 19k.

One fair enough but 3..

Based on what I can see I'd go with the turbo wastegate solenoid.

Ill pm you the part number later on.

Insist on them swapping it from another insignia to confirm its the issue. It takes about 10 minutes to swap over.

But no one should have put 3 turbos on that car without diagnosing further.

Antoh · 12-12-2020 03:43PM

Other than this issue its a great car. Was well maintained and serviced so likely hood of it being an ecu I would think is slim. Code reader on the way so will hopefully get to read the codes before I talk to dealer on Tuesday. Ill update with what they say. Thanks all

corks finest · 12-12-2020 09:34PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

Whats the symptoms? These don't give turbo problems.
The intercooler pipes also don't go on them.

Id personally suspect the rear nox sensor, accelerator pedal or wastegate control solenoid.

If I was asked straight out its the wastegate solenoid. That's gives all the symptoms of a faulty turbo. Error code is usually "turbo under boost" on the Opel diagnostic.

I got caught out once with this before after replacing a turbo on an Insignia and the problem returning.

If you want to pm me the reg I can check what work was done on it for you.

Fair dues

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 06:20AM

Antoh wrote: »

Other than this issue its a great car. Was well maintained and serviced so likely hood of it being an ecu I would think is slim. Code reader on the way so will hopefully get to read the codes before I talk to dealer on Tuesday. Ill update with what they say. Thanks all

I had one for about 6 months and have to really liked the car - newer one is a big upgrade on the older model
Hope you get sorted with it. As well advised don’t go throwing big money until you’re absolutely sure what is wrong. I’ve seen this guess work thing go on with garages - costing people a bloody fortune with no resolution.
A good Opel specialist might be worth exploring too

Antoh · 13-12-2020 09:20PM

So quick update. Code reader arrived today. Plugged in and of course no faults. Dealer cleared last week. Been 8 restarts since cleared. Went for a drive with reader plugged in and nothing strange noticed. Code reader says car has only done 90 days driving with 15 days idling so engine has only been active for 105 days of use so ecu issue after that short amount of time doesn't seem possible. I'm going to ask dealer for the details of the fault codes they got and then see if same ones come back again.

beauf · 20-12-2020 12:37PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

I've looked at the history and someone isn't doing their job properly.

There's been 3 turbos fitted within 19k.

One fair enough but 3..

Based on what I can see I'd go with the turbo wastegate solenoid.

Ill pm you the part number later on.

Insist on them swapping it from another insignia to confirm its the issue. It takes about 10 minutes to swap over.

But no one should have put 3 turbos on that car without diagnosing further.

Without turning this into a rant about main dealers etc. Are there such things as Opel independent specialists as there are in other makes. Or even a main dealer with a particular good reputation with Opel's. Because if a service department (or indy) isn't getting something fixed, repeatedly. I'd be inclined to go elsewhere.

Hellrazer · 20-12-2020 01:24PM

beauf wrote: »

Without turning this into a rant about main dealers etc. Are there such things as Opel independent specialists as there are in other makes. Or even a main dealer with a particular good reputation with Opel's. Because if a service department (or indy) isn't getting something fixed, repeatedly. I'd be inclined to go elsewhere.

The problem with this particular car is 2 things.

1. It was still in Opel warranty which meant he owner had to go to an opel dealer for the repair.

and more importantly

2. It was almost outside warranty with less than 1000km left on the warranty - actually it was outside when the 3rd turbo was fitted.

This limited Antoh in switching dealers or going to an Indy as another dealer taking over at this late a stage with the warranty just out could have meant that the warranty repair which the original dealer failed to diagnose correctly would not be covered in the second dealer.

If there was a few months left on the warranty it would probably have been the best thing to do ie moving to another dealer.

But because the car was out side of warranty the onus was on the first dealer to carry out the repair. If it had landed with me at 106k on it I wouldn't have been able to get it through under warranty as it would have been flagged as outside of warranty regardless of the previous repair. Warranty on warranty dies with the cars warranty period.

beauf · 20-12-2020 01:35PM

Thanks. I guess he's no choice so.

mickdw · 20-12-2020 07:54PM

Hellrazer wrote: »

I've looked at the history and someone isn't doing their job properly.

There's been 3 turbos fitted within 19k.

One fair enough but 3..

Based on what I can see I'd go with the turbo wastegate solenoid.

Ill pm you the part number later on.

Insist on them swapping it from another insignia to confirm its the issue. It takes about 10 minutes to swap over.

But no one should have put 3 turbos on that car without diagnosing further.

This is scandalous. A 10 minute part swap you have identified as a likely cause yet owner being quoted 1200 or 1500. Even the worst cowboy would take a stab at the cheaper part to start with.
Great advice Hellrazer and will likely get the owner out of serious trouble here because they could be easily throwing 1500 at this only for the light to be back on immediately.

Antoh · 20-12-2020 08:14PM

mickdw wrote: »

This is scandalous. A 10 minute part swap you have identified as a likely cause yet owner being quoted 1200 or 1500. Even the worst cowboy would take a stab at the cheaper part to start with.
Great advice Hellrazer and will likely get the owner out of serious trouble here because they could be easily throwing 1500 at this only for the light to be back on immediately.

Judging by the issue I have its a commonly missed part when diagnosing. Even if you Google the issue alot of people don't realise what it is. So far haven't had the chance to replace the part but car still running fine. Although even with my limited knowledge of cars I wasn't just dropping that much on a possible fix. Big thanks to Hellrazor as it shows experience helps best when shared

PukkaStukka · 20-12-2020 11:36PM

A friend of mine had an issue with an Insignia going into limp mode, brought it to a main dealer, and was charged €300 for a diagnostic and ECU reset. They advised him to drive it and "let us know how you get on."

The car got sick a few days later and after ringing the dealer again, was told they'd need to hang on to the car again for a few days and likely the cost could be high.

I got a look at the car, the pre DPF temperature sensor had died and was reading 0°c despite the engine being at temperature. This resulted in no regen and the Dpf showing fault codes for high soot content and low efficiency.

A sensor was acquired and installed, the fault codes cleared and the car driven at 80kph on the motorway for 40 mins.. The DPF regened itself and no further codes, and the car's been fine since.

Quite why this wasn't obvious to the techs that looked at it, I don't know. I'm not knocking Opel generally or any main dealer because there are great techs out their working for them, but on occasions you do expect a level of expertise that goes with a main dealer and why they charge a premium for that, and it's not acceptable when that doesn't happen.

galwaytt · 24-12-2020 02:18AM

As an aside, it does show there is sometimes merit in a main dealer fsh, as the work history is recorded and searchable.

Kudos to Hellrazer on this one tbh.

Toyotafanboi · 24-12-2020 09:23AM

PukkaStukka wrote: »

Quite why this wasn't obvious to the techs that looked at it, I don't know.

Could the sensor have been breaking down intermittently? Sounds plausable if the car was going ok for a while.

Perhaps the dealer had tried a software update etc, very hard to say as we have no idea what the dealer seen and he didn't let them know how he got on. Maybe if he went back they would have said to replace that sensor?

Either way and only in my own experience, it's very unusual for a faulty sensor to read 0 degress, usually it reads totally off the wall numbers like -112 degrees in a fully up to temp exhaust etc. They don't default to zero when they are fooked.

corks finest · 25-12-2020 05:34PM

mickdw wrote: »

This is scandalous. A 10 minute part swap you have identified as a likely cause yet owner being quoted 1200 or 1500. Even the worst cowboy would take a stab at the cheaper part to start with.
Great advice Hellrazer and will likely get the owner out of serious trouble here because they could be easily throwing 1500 at this only for the light to be back on immediately.

Crazy unfair situation, someone's doing the bollox by not doing their job properly

Insignia repair issues

Comments