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6th December 2017, 14:38
#1
Regular Member
Starting Issue
Hi guys. I have a 2007 Vectra 1.9cdti design. Been having a problem where it randomly won't start. Doesn't seem to be any pattern to it. Just happens occasionally.
I go to start the car. It'll turn over idle briefly and then slowly die. During this time the accelerator pedal does nothing, won't rev the car.
After many attempts at restarting eventually it'll start and allow me to rev the vehicle. When it starts white smoke comes out of the back. But once that clears the car runs perfectly.
As I said this happens at random. I've left the car for 3 days and it started fine. Changed the battery. Didn't really help.
I took it to a garage and they told me it's an internal ECU fault and there's nothing they can do. They said I should sell it as soon as possible. Which isn't going to work for me.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
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6th December 2017, 15:22
#2
if they diagnosed it right than you have the option of getting the lot from a same engined car and have it coded into yours with a tech-2 session... you'll need to speak to one of the tech-2 guru's on here as my knowledge on the matter isn't that deep... I'm not to sure if you need to have the old code from the donor vehicle either so please be patient until one of the more tech2 savvy people answers your question
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6th December 2017, 15:52
#3
Regular Member
Sounds expensive
Originally Posted by
northpole
if they diagnosed it right than you have the option of getting the lot from a same engined car and have it coded into yours with a tech-2 session... you'll need to speak to one of the tech-2 guru's on here as my knowledge on the matter isn't that deep... I'm not to sure if you need to have the old code from the donor vehicle either so please be patient until one of the more tech2 savvy people answers your question
That doesn't sound cheap. I've been reading a lot about the coolant temperature sensor so I was going to try that as it may be a cheap fix. And then perhaps look at starter motor if that doesn't work.
I think I'm just struggling to accept it can be that when the car runs so well once I get it going. We'll see I guess
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6th December 2017, 17:54
#4
Last car I had that did almost exactly the same it turned out to be the crank sensor. Would run fine for days then just leave me stranded refusing to start, then all of a sudden just fire up and drive fine.
The smoke will probably be unburnt fuel clearing out of the exhaust.
I'd have the codes read again - see what you get in historic codes.
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6th December 2017, 23:42
#5
Get the car fault codes read as it could be a number of things and almost impossible to diagnose which just a description. If it is a sensor then getting it hooked up to diagnostic will tell you.
I had ECU issues a bit like yours it would run sweet as a nut but eventually got worse over time. I took the plunge and got it sorted when the car started to cut out while driving which was very dangerous at 70MPH!
I was quoted silly money to get the ECU replaced and was told that I had to get a new ECU (expensive) and then have it programmed (expensive) BUT Teapot came to my rescue and not only was he able to help me source and second hand one but he also programmed it and mapped it pennies compared to the price of a dealer.
Hope this helps
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7th December 2017, 08:48
#6
Regular Member
Would I have any engine management lights or warnings in the dash if that was the case?
I'd love to be able to read the codes but if I get no warning lights does this mean I don't have anything to read?
Thanks
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7th December 2017, 11:24
#7
Not always - you can have fault codes without the warning light being illuminated.
Instead of paying someone to do it for you, why not buy a cheap code reader or ask a friendly vec-c user in your area if they can have a look for you?
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7th December 2017, 14:37
#8
Regular Member
Originally Posted by
Sindy
Not always - you can have fault codes without the warning light being illuminated.
Instead of paying someone to do it for you, why not buy a cheap code reader or ask a friendly vec-c user in your area if they can have a look for you?
Thats the plan. I've ordered my own and my neighbour has offered me his to use. Can play with it myself over the weekend and see what happens. I hope I get to the bottom of it because I love the car aside from this issue.
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7th December 2017, 22:28
#9
cheap code readers are OK but not always as in depth as proper diagnostics.
When the car does cut out do still get the little yellow engine symbol light up on the bottom right hand side of the speedo? This was my indication that my ECU was playing up as the symbol also represents the presence of the ECU
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8th December 2017, 08:27
#10
You may have seen the thread on my wifes Astra ? Well I suspected the ECU, to the point I bought a used one - £30. The Auto Electrician round here who codes them was going to charge another £75 to wipe & code it if I needed to change it.
Just over £100 isn't too bad IMHO.
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