Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: gridx on 12 July 2010, 23:33:47

Title: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 12 July 2010, 23:33:47: 99 v6 2.5 CDX. Starts OK but intermittently stalls or just dies. Can stall when pulling away (that's scary) forwards or reverse. When put into drive or reverse on the brake engine can start spiking to 1500rpm making the rear bob up and down like a bitch on heat, most embarrassing. Stalling gets less likely as it warms. Acceleration now seems under powered.

I've had her for 8 years and I'm not going to give up on her.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

Mel
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: RobG on 12 July 2010, 23:37:38: Any codes stored. ICV & breathers clean, re; fluctuating idle, any vac leaks
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: tunnie on 12 July 2010, 23:37:59: either an air-leak or idle control valve (ICV is sticking) check out the guide for removing and cleaning that :y
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 13 July 2010, 20:09:25: I was told there were no codes. It has been thoroughly checked for hose leaks.

Is the ICV the same as the 'Idle Speed Adjuster Valve' mentioned in Haynes manual? Would this account for the lack of power when driving?

I have noticed it has acquired a high pitched whine on starting that lasts for between 30-60 seconds. This is a new 'feature' along with the irregular idle and stalling.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: Entwood on 13 July 2010, 20:14:20: Don't know how you've checked for vac leaks .. but a good way is ... with engine idling spray lightly along all vac pipes/connections and anywhere else you wish to check .. with carb cleaner.. If/when the engine note changes as it speedds up .. you've just found the vac leak, as the carb cleaner has been sucked in and used as "extra" fuel .. :)
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 13 July 2010, 21:02:07: Friend/mechanic said he had checked the hoses by touch and sight. Will try the spray method when I can get some carb cleaner. (joke - I missed the 's' off spray above, so was going to try the 'pray method'. It could be the next step.)

Just been looking at the car and noticed the throttle cables have a lot of slack when idle. Also, if I turn the throttle up quickly the car tries to die then picks up. If I turn it slowly it is OK.

I pulled the plug on, what I think is, the ICV but there was no difference in the engine idle behaviour. Is the ICV the part held in place by a rubber bung?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 14 July 2010, 21:20:39: Update: I do not have many stalls when the car is at running temperature.

This evening I removed what I think is the ICV and cleaned it with carb cleaner. I tightened the slack throttle cable. I also noted the new interior mat, not Omega, on the drivers side was over the throttle stop impeding full depression of the peddle. Trimmed the mat to solve that one.

I will have to wait until tomorrow for is to be cold and test it on the way to work. I commute 60 miles a day so it gets a good daily test.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 23 July 2010, 14:04:11: Update - symptoms getting worse, stalled while going around a roundabout. Tried the carb cleaner to no effect. Has started changing down a lot on mild grades that were not a problem before. Looks like it is not compensating for any type of load, trnsmission, steering, braking, etc.

Any ideas anyone?

Anyone around milton keynes got a tech 2 or any other way of reading codes?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: RobG on 23 July 2010, 14:13:59: Read codes with a paperclip http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: TheBoy on 23 July 2010, 14:15:41: Will it make it to deepest Brackley?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: ram 428 on 23 July 2010, 16:53:33: I had a similiar problem and it turned out to be a cranshaft sensor.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 23 July 2010, 23:32:06: TheBoy - thanks for the response. I can make Brackley, even if I have to push her all the way. I work Mon-Fri around Althorpe but get back MK about 18:30. Free most other times. Any chance you are available during the 'other' times? What sort of test would I need?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 23 July 2010, 23:34:11: Ram428 - replaced the Crank Sensor about 12 months ago. Followed instruction from this forum I did the job in 20 minutes. Would not think it would go so soon.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 23 July 2010, 23:37:07: Rob G - I will do that if TheBoy can't fit me in any time soon. I'm off to Whitney tomorrow, which could be traumatic.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: TheBoy on 24 July 2010, 10:06:16: Quote
TheBoy - thanks for the response. I can make Brackley, even if I have to push her all the way. I work Mon-Fri around Althorpe but get back MK about 18:30. Free most other times. Any chance you are available during the 'other' times? What sort of test would I need?

I'm usually in most evenings.

Is the fault there all the time?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 24 July 2010, 10:18:10: The stalling when driving happens a lot of the time, slightly less when at running temperature. Always under powered. I can make it stall by pushing the throttle up quickly from under the bonnet.

Are you available this morning, I can be there in under an hour?

Thank you for helping out.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: TheBoy on 24 July 2010, 10:34:43: Quote
The stalling when driving happens a lot of the time, slightly less when at running temperature. Always under powered. I can make it stall by pushing the throttle up quickly from under the bonnet.

Are you available this morning, I can be there in under an hour?

Thank you for helping out.
Sadly, not available this morning, as off to the beer festival shortly. Not available tomorrow for a related reason ;D
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 24 July 2010, 10:40:31: Can I PM you with some contact details?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 25 July 2010, 11:32:59: I ran the paper clip test. Very simple, even I didn't blow anything up. The only codes were 3x 19 Incorrect RPM Signal. I am not sure if the code is left over from the crank sensor failure 12 months ago so is there any way to clear the codes?

Mel
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: Bojan on 25 July 2010, 11:52:59: Quote
I have noticed it has acquired a high pitched whine on starting that lasts for between 30-60 seconds. This is a new 'feature' along with the irregular idle and stalling.

This could be the SAI pump, located behind the front bumper, on the passanger side (on RHD car).
I have the same sound.
It can be disconected, because it is useless >:(
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 25 July 2010, 18:07:04: When you say disconnect the SAI pump do you mean just pull the electrical connector?

Mel
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: Andy H on 25 July 2010, 18:34:05: Quote
I ran the paper clip test. Very simple, even I didn't blow anything up. The only codes were 3x 19 Incorrect RPM Signal. I am not sure if the code is left over from the crank sensor failure 12 months ago so is there any way to clear the codes?

Mel
Each code gets repeated 3 times so that sounds right for a failing crank sensor.

I think old codes clear themselves after 25 starts so if you changed the crank sensor a year ago the code should have gone by now.

Did you fit a genuine sensor?
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: Bojan on 25 July 2010, 21:09:52: Quote
When you say disconnect the SAI pump do you mean just pull the electrical connector?

Mel

i think so...i was adviced to pull out the fuse.
I have the same problem, but never got to sort it out.
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 26 July 2010, 21:55:39: Quote
Quote
I ran the paper clip test. Very simple, even I didn't blow anything up. The only codes were 3x 19 Incorrect RPM Signal. I am not sure if the code is left over from the crank sensor failure 12 months ago so is there any way to clear the codes?

Mel
Each code gets repeated 3 times so that sounds right for a failing crank sensor.

I think old codes clear themselves after 25 starts so if you changed the crank sensor a year ago the code should have gone by now.

Did you fit a genuine sensor?

Know idea if it is a Vauxhall part but it is definitely a sensor! Got it from Europarts.

Update - Took out the crank sensor and cleaned the oil off. Think the oil is residual from the rocker cover gaskets leaking. That was fixed about the time it started stalling. The sensor lead had been put over the top of the exhaust so I routed through the large gap by the ABS ECU. Make more sense to me because I can now get to connect easier. I have got pictures if anyone is interested.

Went to work and back without stalling. Still under powered and changing down too often but not as bad as it was. Should I get a new sensor or wait and see if the ECU adjusts to the improvement (I've heard they do that)?

Mel
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: Entwood on 26 July 2010, 22:13:52: New sensor and VX part ONLY ... buy a pattern one and you'll be changing it again very soon.

Guide in the "how to's" on re-routing the cable.

genuine only .. no messing .. :)
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: bertiecbx550 on 26 July 2010, 23:35:34: Yep don`t i know this ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Idle stalling and lack of power generally.
Post by: gridx on 27 July 2010, 22:24:08: Can anyone recommend a good place to get a crankshaft sensor part 90492061 (oval connector) at a reasonable price?

TIA