Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Vamps on 18 November 2011, 23:55:36

Title: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 18 November 2011, 23:55:36
I have been told that it is best to blank off the egr valve...........would any issue with this bring on the EM light on intermittently?

I have not even looked, but where do you plug in the code reader?

Master Vamps car, had Lambda issues but replacement seems not to have cured the intermittent problems, however getting info from him is a no no, he is not that way inclined, plan to pop up to the garage tomorrow and find out more detail, repairs are, in part, being paid for by RAC Warranty..... :-\ :-\
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 November 2011, 00:01:48
Is that the Z16XE Engine Mike?

In my Astra G, it was in the region of the handbrake lever, but I'm not too sure about the newer one ...
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 19 November 2011, 00:14:30
Is that the Z16XE Engine Mike?

In my Astra G, it was in the region of the handbrake lever, but I'm not too sure about the newer one ...

Sorry James, I do not know, but intend to look over the weekend so thanks, I would never have thought of looking there.. ::)
I have a New Haynes Manual but it is unopened as it is a Christmas parcel for him.... :D :D
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Andy B on 19 November 2011, 06:47:54
Is that the Z16XE Engine Mike?

In my Astra G, it was in the region of the handbrake lever, but I'm not too sure about the newer one ...

Sorry James, I do not know, but intend to look over the weekend so thanks, I would never have thought of looking there.. ::)
I have a New Haynes Manual but it is unopened as it is a Christmas parcel for him.... :D :D

If it is, Tech II can tell it it there isn't an EGR fitted, it doen't need blanking off then.  :y
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 November 2011, 15:40:24
Depends on the engine variant, sounds a little to late to me for the EGR to be disabled.

And blanking it will bring the ecu light on.

Diag plug is below the handbrake but codes can be read using the pedal trick (will come up in the mileage display).

As we all know, a lambda fault code does not mean the sensor is at fault......it could (and often is) other issues (hence sensor was probably incorrectly replaced).

Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Andy B on 21 November 2011, 18:59:32
Depends on the engine variant, sounds a little to late to me for the EGR to be disabled.

And blanking it will bring the ecu light on.

Diag plug is below the handbrake but codes can be read using the pedal trick (will come up in the mileage display).

As we all know, a lambda fault code does not mean the sensor is at fault......it could (and often is) other issues (hence sensor was probably incorrectly replaced).

Is it? :-\ I thought SWMBO was the same engine code, but it was, as you suggest, a little older than 05 ie 52 plate. It's error codes were flashed up in a similar way to the Omega.  :y
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 28 November 2011, 21:26:54
Both Lambda sensors have now been changed, by different garages, first being an Auto electrician.
Been informed that the light came on again today, same code which has been cleared and stayed off at the moment.

Apparently if it comes on again the second garage, our usual independent, is going to take the car for a run and take it to the auto electrician to see if between them they can sort it..... ::) ::) ::)

If there is not point or it is too late? to bland the egr any other ideas?    His old sub £500 Citroen Saxo cost nothing in 18 months.... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 November 2011, 16:41:27
Your biggest issue is an incompitent idiot doing the diag!

I have said to many times that a lambda fault code is all to often a symptom and not a cause.
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: tunnie on 29 November 2011, 16:47:23
Could they not run live data? With my lamba you could watch live data to see if it was actually switching....
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 November 2011, 16:50:31
Nine times out of ten a lambda fault is down to an air measurement issue......the ECU adjusts until reaching an end stop and then reports 'lambda out of range' or similar..........and its a case of looking at and being able to understand live data and correction values (e.g. block learn) to get a real fault diag.
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 09 December 2011, 21:42:57
Ok Local independent took the car to well respected auto electrician and still no luck, fault code is Lambda sensor, he has been told that the car will need to be in the garage for a couple of days while they trace back from each lambda sensor, surly this can not be right?

What do yo mean by live data? and on what equipment is this done, I am wondering if we should take it to a Main Dealer, I mean an Astra, supposed to be cheap and cheerful...... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 18 December 2011, 23:29:45
OK getting desperate now, he is talking of px ing it, losing £800 at least, if they do not test drive it ::) ::) and he still owes me £2k so if he takes on hp he is going to stuff himself which I have advised against...
I have told him to get the EGR valve blanked off and the ECU set to ignore this....

Any other suggestions or is it into a Vx garage at my expense.... ::) ::) ::)

Or anyone who can fix it and he can come to you.... :y

Local trusted garage and highly rated auto electrics are stuck, and now want to start with replacing parts, with no end to it till fixed..... :-X
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Van Helsing on 19 December 2011, 01:27:44
Please help the Vampire...... ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 December 2011, 07:27:54
It needs diagnosing with proper live data... If all else fails I'd suggest talking very nicely to Mark ;)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 December 2011, 08:15:28
Trusted they may be but clearly, compitent they are not.

There is very little that goes wrong on these and as already said, it needs live data checking to monitor the engine parameters.

A lambda fault code is not a 'lambda is faulty statement', its simply a case of the ECU has spotted that it is out of range and this can be due to a few things.

If you could get it to me I would gladly look at it.
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 December 2011, 09:02:53
Trusted they may be but clearly, compitent they are not.

There is very little that goes wrong on these and as already said, it needs live data checking to monitor the engine parameters.

A lambda fault code is not a 'lambda is faulty statement', its simply a case of the ECU has spotted that it is out of range and this can be due to a few things.

If you could get it to me I would gladly look at it.
I know it's a trek but well worth taking him up on the offer... At least he knows what he's doing ::) ;D

My 2p is on either an air ingress or (less likely) a faulty MAF, but it needs diagnosing properly :y

As Mark has said, they're usually pretty robust and this is not a reason to take a massive hit and trade it in :o
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Radar on 19 December 2011, 09:30:45
I might be well off the mark but anyway:
Dads 02 Astra, 1.6 auto kept stalling and eml ligth on. In the end we put another earthing strip in the engine connected one side to the top of the shock area and the other into a relay box (forgot which one but could get photo if need be).

The stealers were giving it new ecu etc... what do they know.


It has never stalled in the 3 years since.
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 19 December 2011, 22:43:24
Trusted they may be but clearly, compitent they are not.

There is very little that goes wrong on these and as already said, it needs live data checking to monitor the engine parameters.

A lambda fault code is not a 'lambda is faulty statement', its simply a case of the ECU has spotted that it is out of range and this can be due to a few things.

If you could get it to me I would gladly look at it.

Mark, that would be great, thank you, you are not that far away really, just checked the Map, thanks to H21 ::) ::)
The car is in the auto electricians tomorrow, I have told Master Vamps about checking the 'live data' if this does not resolve then enough is enough, and a run to yours is the next step.  Not sure what you are up to, funny time of the year, but he could be passing your way on 27th returning from Christmas in Bath, failing that we could set up a day to suit you.... :y  If he is too shy I could bring it down.... :D :D
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 20 December 2011, 21:29:01
Car has been back into auto electrics place today, they did some measurement - Master Vamps is not technical - cleaned the EGR as it is the model where it is too new to blank it off. Apparently it was full of crud and not working, been cleaned and now working, as ir ahould, and with the measurements improved, so hopefully this is sorted, time will tell..... ::)

If this turns out to have been the problem then I will be having a word with our local independent as I would have thought that this is something he should have checked.... :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 21 December 2011, 23:24:40
Well, Master Vamps has just come in and informed me the rather orange light is back on.....It's only an Astra  ffs...... >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 23 December 2011, 22:44:05
Had an update just now, now he tells me his oil light is coming on..... ::) ::)  I said on the lines of ffs put some oil in it, he said he did a week ago, a big tub ::) guess at least a litre, then he said something about the garage saying if it uses less petrol then it will use more oil, wtf...I think he is misunderstanding what he is being told......I should have stepped in earlier :( :(  Decision made, car is to go, (px) so car shopping now.........  I do not want him taking on finance for years so Bank of Vamps will sub him, he tends to repay at between £500 and £700 a month so won't take him long and no interest... :)

No cam belt history either, that settled the decision, he has been told not to be in such a rush next time.....he accepted the car with the eml light on 2 days before the agreed day when I would have also been with him ::) ::) ::)

Suggested he buy Japanese but he is wanting another Astra unless we see something that takes his fancy within his insurance range.. :) :)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Lazydocker on 24 December 2011, 00:01:14
I'd have a quick look over it Vamps... Things may not be exactly as described to you ;)
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 December 2011, 00:07:17
I'd have a quick look over it Vamps... Things may not be exactly as described to you ;)

Agreed. You've got the car now, might as well try to make it work, if only to sell on a working car rather than practically give away one with faults.
Title: Re: 05 Vx Astra 1.6 Q
Post by: Vamps on 24 December 2011, 00:16:43
Using oil has be worried though, and I can't help but think back to my last Omega which cost me a small fortune before getting rid..... :( :(  I have a scanner so can switch off the eml light before going into a garage, even if they test drive it, it takes a few hours before coming back on, naughty I Know........ :(

Once faith is lost in a car it has to go, thanks to those who said they would look at it, but this one is going....he can afford to take a hit, Bank of Vamps taking the hit, I just want him happy and reliable.... :)