paper clip test

[vectra craig]

hi ppl, ive got a light on my dash thats lit up yellow i think its the engine management light, someone has told me to do the paper clip test, and write down the flash codes that show up, find out what the codes mean and change the relevant part, 1, ive got 03 sxi vectra (ecotec engine) can the "paper clip test" b done on this engine? 2, ive been told to plug the paper clip in to A then B and c what flash codes come up? <is that right? 3, if it can be done on this engine, do i count the flashes, 3 flashes number 3, 7 flashes number 7 etc is there a gap in between each number ? till ive got a four digit code, any help would b greatly appreciated

[leonvectrac]

think you need a code reader lol

[vectra craig]

cheers 4 that leon lol i don't want to pay £40-£50 tho

[Robsey]

There is a weird way of doing this, requires a bit of dancing on the brake and clutch pedals whilst turning the ignition on and off in some bizarre free-mason style sequence.

pull your left trouser leg up with your right hand, and pull your right ear-lug with your left forefinger and thumb...

I'm sure there is a how 2 for this on the forum!!

[cphaza]

there is a weird way of doing this, requires a bit of dancing on the brake and clutch pedals whilst turning the ignition on and off in some bizarre free-mason style sequence.

pmsl

[leonvectrac]

cheers 4 that leon lol i don't want to pay £40-£50 tho

maybe someone on here from your area that has a code reader could be kind and do it for you

[DNS]

Paperclip test worked on the Vec Bs until about 1999 when they removed the necessary pin from the OBD socket... Never been possible on the C as far as I know.

[Birchy63]

Paperclip test worked on the Vec Bs until about 1999 when they removed the necessary pin from the OBD socket... Never been possible on the C as far as I know.

Makes sense, there's no profit in letting people diagnose their own faults......

[Ste]

The procedure is very easy and isn't like dancing on the pedals or like any strange masonic rituals either


I did a how to, but here you go. Not everycar works, but I think most 1.8 do.


Get in and press both brake and accelerator pedals to the floor.
Turn ignition to pos 2
Release only the acc pedal and then re-apply to the floor.
Now holding both pedals down, turn key to position 1 and then back to position 2
The engine warning lamp will blink out the codes with a gap between discreet code numbers.
When the light comes back on steady, all codes have been blinked out and you can release both pedals and remove the key.




Simply count the number of flashes and that will construct the 4 digit code.

Write down the numbers as they flash out, unless you have a good memory.

eg

If the sequence of the flashes is

10 flashes
3 flashes
10 flashes
2 flashes

the code is 0302, and looking that up would give - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

etc

[Tony W]

It worked on our 55 reg Facelift Club with the Z18XE pre VVT engine...presently showing P1565....(GM specific code) Speed Control Servo Position Sensor...about the 2nd or 3rd time over the past 3 years. It's disappears of it's own accord after a few weeks and does not seem to affect the car's performance. My U480 code reader does not identify it even though it recognises the car's CAN protocol...it's seems like a 'ghost code'....as posted a while back..Does anybody know what this sensor actually is, does & where it's located....taaaaa..... cheers