Help With A Vauxhall

[Rob's Lexx]

seeing as you guys are v. knowledgable i thought i'd ask for some advice, on behalf of my brother.

he drives a '96 Vauxhall Vectra 2.0L CDX and has been having this problem for the past few months, but now its getting dangerous:

basically, when the car is started, the engine revs reach the idle speed (approx 1000 rpm) and then drop, return to normal, then drop again, etc etc. normally that is as bad as it gets but often the car just cuts out (i think because the revs drop too low). obviously, if the car is still stationary then the problem isn't dangerous but it even happens when he is driving!!!

the other day i took it out for a spin and it happened to me. i started the car....fine, a little drop in revs but nothing to serious. pulled away and drove for about half a mile up the road when i decided to make a right. as i dipped the clutch to down-shift, the engine cut out, steering basically locked and the brakes went firm (couldn't depress them very well) as well as the oil pressure warning light coming on (engine warning light). this has happened before and is obviously a danger to both my brother and other motorists. the car isn't low on oil, coolant brake fluid, power steering fluid etc and i really can't even begin to guess what the problem is!!

he took the car into a garage a month or so back and they cleaned the idler valve (think thats right) coz they said it was a little bunged up, but the problem stil persists!!!

any help would be greatly appreciated.

i know this isn't Lexus related so thanks in advance for any help.

cheers,

rob

[Gord]

Sounds like the engine idle/speed control valve, well known to go on vauxhall's mate :duh: along with lots of other electrical bit round the engine :duh: i know ive had one :o

[Steve ( West Mids )]

If it's like that then it shouldn't be driven. Suggest he takes it in to Vauxhall for some diagnostics. Not a lot of help I know - but safety first.

[C-B]

I had this problem when using cheap oil in a previous car. I have also seen similar symptoms with low quality/contaminated fuel.

So, my advice.. Oil change and a fresh tank of fuel.

HTH.

Chris

[peter026]

seeing as you guys are v. knowledgable i thought i'd ask for some advice, on behalf of my brother.

he drives a '96 Vauxhall Vectra 2.0L CDX and has been having this problem for the past few months, but now its getting dangerous:

basically, when the car is started, the engine revs reach the idle speed (approx 1000 rpm) and then drop, return to normal, then drop again, etc etc. normally that is as bad as it gets but often the car just cuts out (i think because the revs drop too low). obviously, if the car is still stationary then the problem isn't dangerous but it even happens when he is driving!!!

the other day i took it out for a spin and it happened to me. i started the car....fine, a little drop in revs but nothing to serious. pulled away and drove for about half a mile up the road when i decided to make a right. as i dipped the clutch to down-shift, the engine cut out, steering basically locked and the brakes went firm (couldn't depress them very well) as well as the oil pressure warning light coming on (engine warning light). this has happened before and is obviously a danger to both my brother and other motorists. the car isn't low on oil, coolant brake fluid, power steering fluid etc and i really can't even begin to guess what the problem is!!

he took the car into a garage a month or so back and they cleaned the idler valve (think thats right) coz they said it was a little bunged up, but the problem stil persists!!!

any help would be greatly appreciated.

i know this isn't Lexus related so thanks in advance for any help.

cheers,

rob

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I had the same problem on a montego, turned out that it was the engine temp sensor,had it replaced and everything was hunky dory..............til the engine blew up a few months later :duh:

[Tony-Bones]

i know whats wrong....... but i cannot spell the word... and it's not in the Dicionary.

[C-B]

i know whats wrong....... but i cannot spell the word... and it's not in the Dicionary.

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It's in the subject line - 'Vauxhall'.

[MartinC]

I think its the throttle position sensor

Gord sounds like hes on the right tracks there, a common problem

I'm sure between the 2 of us we have the right words in there somewhere.

Try Steve at LMF for the parts if you need them, he may be able to advise on likely failures as well

[Doodlebug]

Sounds like the engine idle/speed control valve, well known to go on vauxhall's  mate  :duh:  along with lots of other electrical bit round the engine  :duh: i know ive had one  :o

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I second that.

[peter026]

i know whats wrong....... but i cannot spell the word... and it's not in the Dictionary.

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Spell it phonetically

[Doodlebug]

Field Remedy: 1523

Subject: Engine Stalls - Idle Air Control dirty

Models: Engines: Option:

Vectra-B 1996...2001,Omega-B 1996,5...2003,Astra-F 1996...1999,Astra-G 1998...2000 X18XE| X20XEV,X20XEV,X18XE| X20XEV,X20XEV X18XE,X20XEV

Complaint: Poor idling, Engine stalls.

Cause: Sticky idle air control valve caused by oil vapor.

Production: None.

Remedy:

In case of customer complaint check the bore for crankcase ventilation in the

throttle housing, clean it if necessary and replace the idle air control valve.

At the Omega-B replace the connection piece for pre-heating if the bore for

crankcase ventilation is blocked.

[Rob's Lexx]

thanks for the real quick reply guys.

yep, the problem is that its a vauxhall....i know!!! but at least it aint a nova!!!! :P

so the general consensus is that its the engine idle control valve (i think this might be what they tried to clean???). so if this hasn't rectified the problem, can he just order a new part??? would poor oil quality (i.e lack of oil changes) cause this??

[Gord]

thanks for the real quick reply guys.

yep, the problem is that its a vauxhall....i know!!! but at least it aint a nova!!!! :P

so the general consensus is that its the engine idle control valve (i think this might be what they tried to clean???). so if this hasn't rectified the problem, can he just order a new part??? would poor oil quality (i.e lack of oil changes) cause this??

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If you take car to garage that have box to plug into the car, it should tell you a code = what wrong :D

[Rob's Lexx]

ok, so does he ask for a ??Diagnostics test???

should that tell him whats wrong?

[whiteman]

defo the engine idle control valve,, sometimes you can clean them out but if it has not sorted the problem then it is knackered.

A new one is about 140 from a dealer plus labour, get one off e-bay theyare about 60 quid, very easy to fit if you know what you are doing, only two screws hold it on but bottom screw is a bit fiddly.

don't worry about engine management light it will go off when new valve is fitted..

this is a common fault with the 16v engine, along with all the other sensors that go tits up eventually :winky:

poor oil would not affect this ,,

[Rob's Lexx]

  defo the engine idle control valve,,  sometimes you can clean them out but if it has not sorted the problem then it is knackered. 

A new one is about 140 from a dealer plus labour,  get one off e-bay theyare about 60 quid, very easy to fit if you know what you are doing, only two screws hold it on but bottom screw is a bit fiddly.

don't worry about engine management light it will go off when new valve is fitted..

this is a common fault with the 16v engine, along with all the other sensors that go tits up eventually :winky:

poor oil would not affect this ,,

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the engine management light isn't on normally. it only goes on when the car cuts out. would vauxhall be able to positively identify this as the problem before he goes and buys one off the net???

[whiteman]

  defo the engine idle control valve,,  sometimes you can clean them out but if it has not sorted the problem then it is knackered. 

A new one is about 140 from a dealer plus labour,  get one off e-bay theyare about 60 quid, very easy to fit if you know what you are doing, only two screws hold it on but bottom screw is a bit fiddly.

don't worry about engine management light it will go off when new valve is fitted..

this is a common fault with the 16v engine, along with all the other sensors that go tits up eventually :winky:

poor oil would not affect this ,,

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the engine management light isn't on normally. it only goes on when the car cuts out. would vauxhall be able to positively identify this as the problem before he goes and buys one off the net???

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it is defo the fault, unles you want to pay 45 quid for someone to tell you.

have had many 16v vauxhalls, mate has got all the test gear so it doesn't cost me owt anyway but the missus has got an astra 2.0 sport and that has the same problems but I am too tight to but a new valve as we may be getting rid, so I just give it a clean and it is ok for a while.

You could give it a clean and see what happens but I will put money on it it is the idle control valve, a common fault which vauxhall charge an arm and a leg to sort.

there are many for sale on fleabay so don't buy one from a dealer :winky:

[whiteman]

:D by the way it will not affect the driving of the vehicle when moving only when idling hence the reason why it plays up when idling ie: idle control valve.

[Rob's Lexx]

:D  by the way it will not affect the driving of the vehicle when moving only when idling hence the reason why it plays up when idling ie: idle control valve.

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oh ok, so thats why it all cuts out when the clutch is dipped to change gear (because it begins to idle!!). its been worse in the cold weather aswell!!

cheers for the help everyone!!!

@whiteman, will pm if he can't find the correct part on eBay.

cheers,

rob

[6Speed]

Clean out the valve with carb cleaner. Dont rush it let it soak in for a few hours. Then repeat and do a final flush through. Like whiteman says it will probably be knackered and cleaning wont cure it but its worth a try.

[whiteman]

:D ok matey, glad to help :winky:

[Bazza]

anyone notice that the best way of finding inherent problems on cars , or in fact most things is to look on eBay

[Tony-Bones]

i know whats wrong....... but i cannot spell the word... and it's not in the Dictionary.

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Spell it phonetically

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No.. no .. i will get this correct, it's the 'per-ten-shin-ator' modual.. :D ...oh and all the intake knowing the Vauxhall is blocked.

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'Clucking bell'... this reply even involved the wife 'she' said Tomoto, i said Tomato.

[Geoffers]

Is it "potentiometer" you're looking for?

I'm not sure if the vectra have these as part of the valve - are these actually stepper motors with potentiometers for position that the ECU reads as on other cars?

Slightly off topic, just wondering.

[Rob's Lexx]

i know whats wrong....... but i cannot spell the word... and it's not in the Dictionary.

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Spell it phonetically

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No.. no .. i will get this correct, it's the 'per-ten-shin-ator' modual.. :D ...oh and all the intake knowing the Vauxhall is blocked.

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'Clucking bell'... this reply even involved the wife 'she' said Tomoto, i said Tomato.

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totally lost me now!!!!!!