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Astra 1.4 petrol....really annoying problem.

Astra 1.4 petrol CFI injection

8v

I've had a few Astras over the years and I've always been pleased with the way they've performed [for me means anyway], but this latest one is proving to be a PITA. I'm afraid I'm of the old school of car mechanics, namely: an engine you can work on YOURSELF, wihout being at the mercy of ECUs, engine management systems, which rely on varying sensors of varying descriptions doing their bit to entice you into the nearest Vauxhall dealer. This is a P reg[newest car I've ever had!] and so I'm being to see the advent of changing car technology. Looks like I can't escape it any longer :-( My old A reg ran perfectly ok without all this added crap. I really can't see where the gains are. This P reg does not run any better and appears to be a bit heavy on the fuel consumption front too!

Anyway, getting to the point, when I first got the car, the engine management light kept coming on, and the car was kind of lurching [like there was a sudden increase in petrol then tailing off] at around 20-40mph when decreasing speed. I ascertained the engine management light [this may already have been a fault when I first bought the car]to be code 35, which pointed to the idle control valve.

I replaced the idle control valve, and still no change. It's still driveable, but is constantly annoying, and I'm sure the fuel consumption is a bit high. So today, thinking it 'must' be a fuel problem, I decided to 'guess' again, and replaced the injection unit from the breakers [£30]. Replaced that and still no change. And then [after resetting by disconnecting the battery earth for a while] the engine management light came on once more, again giving code 35. [This unit from the breakers had an idle control valve with it too] .

We live and learn.

But what is also very odd is that first thing in the morning, especially on these frosty mornings, the car is dreadfully sluggish and devoid of decent acceleration, spluttering annoyingly up the road

- rather like firing on 3 cylinders. You can feel the engine kind of lurching, almost as if it suddenly gets a taste of fuel then falling back into slug mode, then after about 15 mins eventually it seems to clear itself. Once up and runniung for 20 mins or so, it's not too bad. I even drove it down to Portsmouth yesterday.

Has anybody experienced something similar?

I replaced the distributor cap and rotor arm, but not the HT leads.

I am so reluctant to take it in to a dealer, but might have to.

And finally, the dashboard lights dim and the digital clock dims when I switch on the lights!! :-)

Appreciate any input. Thanks.

Garry

Reply to
garryb59
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First check is probably the coolant sensor

Reply to
Duncanwood

And second is the Earth connections at the battery, and the *separate* earth from alternator to engine block and from block to chassis.

And then alternator output.

The CFi E drive 60bhp 1.4 is usually a very torquey keen performer under ~3500rpm.

Tim..

Reply to
Tim (remove obvious)

Go back to basics, it sounds like it probably has a straightforward problem, such as a dodgy plug, lead or maybe even an air leak (particularly the last because of the indicated idle valve fault) Possibly a damaged or burnt valve or compression leak between cylinders.

The electronic stuff is in my opinion very reliable in general, but people leap on it without sorting out the basics first.

The clock lights are meant to dim with the lights put on, so they don't dazzle you at night.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

does it not have a dimmer adjuster for that ?

Reply to
powerstation

No, it is automatic, the clock lights/radio info are on all the time, but dim when the lights are put on, usually this is in the dark, but in poor weather you end up with a dim display in daylight, which can actually be a bit annoying.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

[going out to a freezing car to check]

Yes, you're right! And now I feel a tad embarrassed. I've not had a car this new before so I had no idea such a thing existed!

As for the other more major problem, I'll take any advice on board, check what I can, and report back.

Many thanks.

Garry

Reply to
garryb59

I seem to remember that cars started to have dimmable dash lights in the sixties, but it is much more common on 80s cars onward.

mrcheerful

Reply to
mrcheerful

changed the coolant sensor and no change :-(

All the earth leads look fine.

Obviously this is not going to be possible without some outside help is it? A DMM is of no use is it?

So back to square one. The only areas left to check in the fuel delivery are the fuel lines, fuel pump and fuel tank.

After that It's ignition. Could it be a faulty ECU? I haven't replaced the HT leads yet. Guess that might be worth throwing more money down the drain :-)

It doesn't 'sound' like a mechanical problem, there is no knocking or clanking anywhere.

What is perplexing is the fact that it's definitely a lot worse first thing in the morning, almost like it's trying to clear itself, and a real PITA to drive

Anyway...

Garry

Reply to
garryb59

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