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[ActiveX]

Having problem only on really cold mornings when the car has stood on the drive overnight. The fault warning light comes on (looks like a car with a spanner going through it). Light either comes on as soon as I start the car or within 1 minute of driving. Car goes into 'safe mode' & will not change gear (auto box). Stays in 3rd. Can restart car a number of times, but light still stays on . Once the car has warmed up, say after a few miles of driving I restart the car again & all is OK.
Does anybody know which sensor might be playing up.  
It is on a 2.6 CDX on a 52 plate. Would appreciate any help & advice.
New member as of today

[Markjay]

Welcome to the forum ActiveX.

What is the mileage on your car?

Best bet is to try and read stored error codes for the engine ECU and for the Transmission ECU.

You can do this with a GM TECH-II device - a Vauxhall dealer will charge around £40-£50 to read the codes, or you can try and go to TheBoy who's an admin on this forum and has a privately-owned TECH-II (which is very rare...).

Alternatively you can buy a 'Cheap' TECH-II ob eBay which is a... well... cheapo device costing under £50. It generally works but it's a bit of hit-and-miss - I have one and on my 2001 car it reads the engine ECU but not the Transmission ECU.

The 'Paper Clip' test which you may see on other therads here will not work on post 2000 cars so don't try it.

Also, if you get the car hooked-up to a real TECH-II (not the 'cheapo' one) it would be a good idea to upgrade the Transmission ECU firmware to the latest version (v9).

If no error codes are showing, cleaning the selector switch and changing the ATF can often resolve many auto transmission problems.

As for sensor, I am not sure which sensor may be causing this problem, someone else might have an idea.











 

[Taxi_Driver]

Well it must be either crank or cam sensor playing up.....id probably go for crank sensor.....but get the codes read to find out for definate  

[ActiveX]

Thanks for that. The car has only done 24500 miles. Bought it in October 2006 with full service history & all receipts. It is in A1 condition & really pleased with it.

Also have a 97 plate 2.0 GLS which the wife drives. Had that since May 2000. Never let us down.

Its a shame Vauxhall stopped making them. Must say though a massive difference driving the V6 to the 2.0. And I dont mean fuel consumption!!

[Admin]

Ok. Thread moved to general help section.

ActiveX good to see another Derby owner.

Now, this fault light....

It does sound like a cam sensor issue.
Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Being a 2.6 it does really need tech II to identify the problem.  In the meantime, the human equivilent of this wonderful piece of kit will doubtless come along and advise exactly what the potential issue will be.

That person is Marks DTM Calib...  8-)

[Admin]

Mark, come out come out wherever you are!

[Marks DTM Calib]

It needs the fault codes reading.....I am suspecting a knock sensor....maybe the wire has been damaged......

[Taxi_Driver]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

[TheBoy]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

[ActiveX]

Thanks for all the info so far.
The fault has occurred every morning this week when temp is below 0`C. Once engine temp gets to 80`C I restart the engine & all is ok.
A mate has put me in touch with a mechanic at Vauxhall who is going to take a look at it this weekend.
Will let you know what he finds

[Taxi_Driver]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

Ahh rite TB, thats clarified that for me   Good job ive a got a 2.2 then  

[TheBoy]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

Ahh rite TB, thats clarified that for me   Good job ive a got a 2.2 then  

I'm still don't believe my eyes with yours....  :-/

[Taxi_Driver]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

Ahh rite TB, thats clarified that for me   Good job ive a got a 2.2 then  

I'm still don't believe my eyes with yours....  :-/

Well you saw it with your own eyes and your tech2 confirmed id unplugged the correct cable....it complained of crank sensor prob......these 2.2's  

Edit* Perhaps try it on AA's when you see his next to see if mines a one off  :-/

[TheBoy]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

Ahh rite TB, thats clarified that for me   Good job ive a got a 2.2 then  

I'm still don't believe my eyes with yours....  :-/

Well you saw it with your own eyes and your tech2 confirmed id unplugged the correct cable....it complained of crank sensor prob......these 2.2's  

Edit* Perhaps try it on AA's when you see his next to see if mines a one off  :-/

I'll try it on Tunnie's when he's not looking. Sssshhh, don't tell him....

[Auto Addict]

Crank sensor will cause more severe symptoms (ie car won't start!).

Is this correct LB? I assumed as my 2.2 will start with crank sensor disconnected that other facelifts (2.6 or 3.2) will start as well. Or is this not the case?  :-/

Perhaps the ever helpful MJ will pop outside and try it on his 2.6......come on MJ its only -2C outside at the mo  

All v6 die with no crank sensor....

Ahh rite TB, thats clarified that for me   Good job ive a got a 2.2 then  

I'm still don't believe my eyes with yours....  :-/

Well you saw it with your own eyes and your tech2 confirmed id unplugged the correct cable....it complained of crank sensor prob......these 2.2's  

Edit* Perhaps try it on AA's when you see his next to see if mines a one off  :-/

I'll try it on Tunnie's when he's not looking. Sssshhh, don't tell him....

Good idea, leave mine alone..... :-?