Engine management system error light came on

[hollywoodperth]

I was doing some country driving on the weekend and I got a sudden loss of power and a light of a little car with a spanner in front of it came on.

Got out old-mate service book and saw that it is an "engine management system error" and even though the car may still be driveable I need to get it looked at immediately (good thing I was hundreds of km's from the nearest dealer).

At this stage I had pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was still idling.. so I popped the hood and had a look... no smoke, no smell, all fluid levels were good, engine idling perfectly.

Tried to drive the car.... but just had no power. Foot flat on the pedal and it just wouldn't pull revs. I reckon I got it up to 40km after 1 min.

Pulled over again.

Turned the car off.

Turned the car on.

Problem solved. :jester:

Now the thing is.... I bought this car from a dealer only 3 weeks ago and it hadn't missed a beat until then.

I also drove it another 350km after that during the weekend... including a pretty steep-hill climb in a coastal town.. I reckon doing 30kmph @ 4500rpm 1st gear and didnt miss a beat. If something was wrong you would have known it then surely.

Anyway, is it possible the ecm just got it's timing all out and went into spaz-out mode?

I can't see the point taking it to a dealer/mechanic as the error isn't there any more and they will just look at it, drive it around and say "well I can't see anything wrong with it now. That will be $$$"

[aedeau]

if the ecu threw a code, couldn't the dealer look that up and trace the problem?

[hollywoodperth]

perhaps but since the light has now gone off and the problem has resolved itself....

for example:

ecu code = some sensor error
sensor error has obviously cleared since the light has gone off
therefore does the dealer bother to replace the sensor since the error isn't there still? "nah, she'll be right"

[Toddler78]

the DTC code will still be logged though so wouldnt be a bad Idea to have it check just incase.
A few people have reported simular issues to yours in prior threads I just cant remember what the outcome was.

I know personally for me I had a problem with my old VT it would even climb up a hill in first when I could easily do it in 5th and still accelrate. It turned out to be O2 sensor, and the ECM running at full rich(like when you drive around an old car with the manual choke still on)

[hollywoodperth]

the car isn't running rich.

I drove home from the country the next day....

got 6.9L/100km for 2.5 hrs driving

[EXCESSV]

...................

[smokiebbear]

...................

C'mon deano ..... tell us what you really think :jester:

[macca_779]

A bit of info on what kind of car it is will help. I know what I think it is but that depends on the engine.

[EXCESSV]

C'mon deano ..... tell us what you really think :jester::lol: no i thought it was a mate based on the username...but reread the username and it may not be :lol:

my explanation was specific to his circumstances hence why i deleted it :p

[smokiebbear]

A bit of info on what kind of car it is will help. I know what I think it is but that depends on the engine.




07 VE i think ..... :confused:

[hollywoodperth]

2007 astra twin top

2.2 direct inject engine. i believe it is the same engine that the astra SRi has.

[smokiebbear]

:lol: no i thought it was a mate based on the username...but reread the username and it may not be :lol:

my explanation was specific to his circumstances hence why i deleted it :p

Your not allowed to have friends Dean! It's a specific clause in our lover contract.

Please read section 3.6 on your Bromance contract and you will see !

I'm leaving you and i'll be running straight back into Rub's arms :jester:

Rub .... oh Rub ..... where are you sweetie ?


2007 astra twin top

2.2 direct inject engine. i believe it is the same engine that the astra SRi has.

FWOOOOOR !

[macca_779]

2007 astra twin top

2.2 direct inject engine. i believe it is the same engine that the astra SRi has.

Well I got nothing solid then.

Thats going to be pretty hard to diagnose on this Forum being that our knowledge base is primarily V8 based. Get it scanned and they you will have a better idea. I'm going to guess crank angle sensor none the less.

[hollywoodperth]

my guess is a sensor too.

problem is that if it still isn't putting out the error what can they do other than check the connection on the plug?

[EXCESSV]

my guess is a sensor too.

problem is that if it still isn't putting out the error what can they do other than check the connection on the plug?as has been said if u take it to a dealer when they plug the tech2 or whatever they use for the astra's the code will be seen and they can test the plug and connection.

from there they will see whats wrong and resolve it
if its still under warranty they will probably replace the sensor and go from there
with these sorts of issues its trial and error unfortunately

[macca_779]

my guess is a sensor too.

problem is that if it still isn't putting out the error what can they do other than check the connection on the plug?

History codes and Freeze Frame data will give the dealer all the info they need. Personally if it hasn't done it again since I wouldn't be to concerned. But your car is probably still under warranty so it wont hurt I guess as it wont cost you anything but your time.

[XUV]

as has been said if u take it to a dealer when they plug the tech2 or whatever they use for the astra's the code will be seen and they can test the plug and connection.

from there they will see whats wrong and resolve it
if its still under warranty they will probably replace the sensor and go from there
with these sorts of issues its trial and error unfortunately

do you get a mandatory 3 month dealer warranty in W.A. ??

if so take it back to the dealer and say '' oi , wtf bro ''

[EXCESSV]

do you get a mandatory 3 month dealer warranty in W.A. ??

if so take it back to the dealer and say '' oi , wtf bro ''yes u do. mandatory 3month dealer warranty on second hand cars

but being an 2007 depending on when it was delivered it could still have new car warranty

[hollywoodperth]

it still has 9 months of new car warranty. the dealer is an absolute clown shooter who i never want to see again.

see my other post in the rate your dealer thread

[EXCESSV]

it still has 9 months of new car warranty. the dealer is an absolute clown shooter who i never want to see again.

see my other post in the rate your dealer threadsee another dealer then
u dont have to stick with one dealer

[SSV8TE]

I was so pissed off with my dealer that when i had warranty issues i went to another dealer who was more than happy to repair and send the bill to the original dealer so i would say go somewhere else.At least they not bias towards fixing probs.
Cheers,
Andy.

[XUV]

see another dealer then
u dont have to stick with one dealer

yeah , if it's still under factory warranty , go else where .