ozzy

My Dad has a Vectra 1.8 16v which failed it's MOT due to emmissions. I suspected the O2 sensor, but it was in the local Dealer today getting looked at and they say it's the Engine management system as there's a few sensor that just aren't responding. That'll be £750 please

Now, I've swapped the ECU on my Impreza and there's nothing to it.

Where is the ECU on a W-plate Vectra?
Can it be replaced with another from the same MY?
Anyone know any Breakers who deal with Vectra's?

Thanks,
Stefan

Respot

Is the car still running ? - if so get it into another garage for them to interrogate the E.C.U for any fault codes that are present, and then post the fault codes on here.
Regards
Dave H.

Respot

Can u also post the emission test results - co = ? %
o2 = ? %
hc = ? %
Lamdba = ?

ozzy

Yes, the car runs fine. My Dad only noticed when it failed the MOT on emissions. Don't think he has the test results and the garage have removed the ECU ready to fit a new one.

I've told my Dad to hang fire and try to source one from a breakers. I've no the Impreza is a 5min job to swap, but I need to know if it's the same idea on a Vectra.

Stefan

Big Col

It's not quite a simple as swapping ECU's. The ECU needs to be programmed to the drivers key - it's part of the immobilizer.

AFAIK only Vauxhall dealers can do this

David_Dickson

Big Col is right, the ecu isnt as straight-forward a swap as you would like due to the immobilser system.
If you want a second-hand set-up then try places like Dixons Vauxhall Spares or the Vauxhall Performance Spares Centre. They have websites for contact details.
presuming the vectra is the same as most other vaux`s then the ECU should be behind the kick-panel in the drivers footwell. I have no idea where the imobiliser components are though, all i know is there is a transponder pickup around the ignition barrel.
Try Migweb for more technical help.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Sounds nasty. Could be bad earthing or connections.

As for ECU replacement, well as long as the garage has the ECU programming equipment such as AutoDiagnos etc. And they know how to use it, you don't need to rely on Vauxhall.

I find it odd that the car runs OK. Especially if the garage claims a group of sensors aren't working

ozzy

Thanks for the advice guys. The only thing wrong with the car (on the surface anyway) is the CEL is illuminated all the time and the emmissions are running high (my Dad mentioned the petrol consumption had increased).

Personally I just don't trust the local Dealer. I mean who's to say they charge him £750 and don't actually swap the ECU. I think I'll get him to take it to another Dealer for a 2nd opinion before spending all that money.

I'll try the specialists mention already.

Cheers,
Stefan

Big Col

Is the ECU light on? On older Vauxhalls you can flash the code out yourself. This shows you what error codes the ECU has stored.

See here for more info >

http://www.topbuzz1.carenthusiasts.c...ault_codes.htm

[Edited by Big Col - 7/24/2003 1:51:50 AM]

PEE1

Is the CAT okay?

ozzy

Hi guys,

Yes the ECU light is on. I'll check if the ECU codes can be shown.

My Dad dropped the car off yesterday morning for them to check over. The phoned him a few hours later and told him he needed a new ECU. How they came to this conclusion, I'm not sure so can't comment on whether the cat is OK or not.

I've told me Dad to phone the Dealer this morning BEFORE they fit the new part(s).

He said the mechanic told him he news a completey new Engine Management System. To me that would mean just a new ECU. Is there more to it on a Vectra?

Thanks for all your help,
Stefan

ozzy

Just phoned Dixons Vauxhall Spares for some advice. Firstly the guy was very surprised that the ECU was faulty, so I still have my doubts about the Dealer.

Here's the most shocking bit. I asked what is needed to replace the ECU. Basically, it's the ECU itself, the transponder on the steering column and the key chip itself (or get this reprogrammed). Total cost £76. They supply all three inc. one key already reprogrammed, so you just swap the chip in their key with your own.

Compare that to £750 wanted by the Dealer

Stefan

ozzy

OK, another update in this saga

Dad phoned the Dealer and asked exactly what parts are needed. Dealer says new ECU and MAF.

They are going to charge him £30 for the diagnostics, so I've asked him just to pick the car up so I can have a proper look at it.

Brand new MAF from the Dealer is £141+VAT (and I thought Impreza MAF's were dear). O2 sensor is either £108+VAT or £80+VAT depending on the engine model for that year.

Stefan

ozzy

Phoned Dixons Vauxhall Spares and they can do a new MAF for £99.98 delivered.

My Dad's picking the car up from the Dealer today, who have agreed to reprogramme any keys for us.

Stefan

john banks

Genuine ECU failure is extremely rare. It is the usual dealer suggestion because no one can properly diagnose a fault(s). Replace ECU is probably quite a l-o-n-g way down the list in the service manual!

ozzy

That's what I thought. My Dad said they had the car 'stripped' and it would take a couple of housr before it was ready to collect

That's why I told him just to pick the thing up and I'll have a look. Not that I know any better, but my logic for fault finding is light years ahead of the majority of Dealers.

I think their plan is to look for the most time-consuming and rarest fault first

Stefan

ozzy

Found these instructions - http://forum.vectra-sport.com/read.p...=/9/21891.html which allow you to replay the error codes from the ECU.

Took me a few attempts to work out the flashes, but it eventually showed 3 seperate errors:-

10xflashes, 1xflash, 10xflashes, 10xflashes = 0100 = MAF sensor
10xflashes, 1xflash, 1xflashe, 10xflashes = 0110 = Air Intake Temp sensor
10xflashes, 1xflash, 3xflash, 5xflash = 0135 = O2 sensor

never thought a paper clip could be so handy

Stefan

Dazza012

Try this link and add a post, when i had my Veccy, any probs just posted on here and help wasn't far away.

http://groups.msn.com/VAUXHALLVECTRA...pgmarket=en-gb

Big Col

It seems strange that Vauxhall are recommending a new ECU to remedy this problem.

To me the sensible way to deal with this would be firstly check the connections to the 3 sensors shown as faulty. Clear the ECU error codes. Run the car, and if the same codes come back then start replacing the sensors, the 02 sensor being the first one.

ozzy

I know that's exactly the way I'd do it. In fact it's the same method I've used on my Impreza.

I think the Dealer just doesn't know how to diagnose it properly and/or fancy the chance of £750. I mean, if my Dad hadn't mentioned it to me he'd have spent that already.

I'll reset the ECU codes tonight and then run the car to see which re-appear.

Stefan