Astra J - Engine Cuts Outs - No Faults or Warnings

[Chesterman88]

I have a 2011 Astra J that has an intermittent fault with the engine cutting out for no apparent reason. I've had the car in with two garages that can't identify any fault, and they've even test drove it with no issues (sod's law!).

I've recently had the crankshaft sensor & fuel pump relay changed. Coil pack is 14 months old. When it does conk out it will crank but wont start, after having the AA out twice i've learnt that to restart it i simply have to unplug the coil pack and plug it back in, starts first time and runs.

Anyone else seen this problem before? and have any leads on where to go with this...

[E-bmw]

If it were me and every time I did a particular thing to stop/start the issue, that is where I would be looking.

Could be wiring/plug/socket but whatever plug/socket you are remove/fitting is the first place to be looking at in the greatest possible level of detail.

[Chesterman88]

Yeah I've had it running and given all the wires a good wiggle and shake with no effect whatsoever.

[Penelope Stopit]

Do you have to have the ignition on when you unplug the coil for a fix?

[Chesterman88]

Haven't really taken notice, whether it was or not when the AA have done it, but I know it was on last time I did it.

[Penelope Stopit]

Chesterman88 said:

Haven't really taken notice, whether it was or not when the AA have done it, but I know it was on last time I did it.

Ok, you need to prove it does or doesn't need the ignition on for the fix

If the fix works without the ignition on the fault is as E-bmw has mentioned... very close to the coil pack, at the coil pack plug or a faulty coil pack

If the fix works only with ignition on this means that a poor connection is arcing and making as you plug into the coil pack, in which case there is a bad connection that could be anywhere from the ignition switch to the coil pack or an immobiliser playing up
Check around the engine bay loom first for a bad connection

The thing is that you have had the engine running and been trying to get it to fail and it hasn't, but.........have you tried waggle testing at the ignition switch and its loom?

[Little Pete]

I had a similar fault on a petrol Zafira last year and it was water ingress to the engine ECU.

[GreenV8S]

Chesterman88 said:

I've recently had the crankshaft sensor & fuel pump relay changed. Coil pack is 14 months old.

Were these fixing some other problem or somebody trying to guess at possible causes for this problem?

It sounds as if you haven't worked out what's preventing it from running yet. It's tempting to assume it's ignition related but there are some basic checks you could run before making that assumption.

Is there power across the fuel pump while cranking? Pressure in the fuel rail? Actuation pulses across the injector? Actuation pulses across the coil LT? Spark on the HT side? Power across the pump while cranking would mean you probably have an engine run output but I'd also look for a tacho rpm reading or OBD2 rpm reading to confirm that. These are all things you could check using inexpensive test equipment, and easy check at the roadside with a little preparation.

[Chesterman88]

Fuel pump relay went about a month ago, replaced this, then engine conked out next day, crank sensor was deemed to be the cause of this. Cars been running fine for the last 2/3 weeks before this latest episode of it losing power/conking out.
Day after it conked out took it out for a drive for 10 miles with no issues, dropped it into garage for a check over and nothing could be found to be up with it. Picked it up and it conked out half way home. Ran it outside the house for an hour next morning, with no issues, took it for a drive and it conked out a mile down the road, got it going again with the coil pack trick, and it got me another couple of miles to the garage. They’ve had it for a couple of days testing it and haven’t found any fault, and it hasn’t broken down when they’ve test driven it.

Picking it back up again tomorrow, and have brought a diagnostics reader to see if I can see an issue when it conks out.

[Chesterman88]

Little Pete said:

I had a similar fault on a petrol Zafira last year and it was water ingress to the engine ECU.

So far it hasn’t happened when it’s been wet out, always been dry (and dark).

[Hassanzahid321]

Chesterman88 said:

I have a 2011 Astra J that has an intermittent fault with the engine cutting out for no apparent reason. I've had the car in with two garages that can't identify any fault, and they've even test drove it with no issues (sod's law!).

I've recently had the crankshaft sensor & fuel pump relay changed. Coil pack is 14 months old. When it does conk out it will crank but wont start, after having the AA out twice i've learnt that to restart it i simply have to unplug the coil pack and plug it back in, starts first time and runs.

Anyone else seen this problem before? and have any leads on where to go with this...

Hi, did you get this fixed?? Im having the exact same problem on my 2014 astra J. Changed ignition coil pack, spark plugs, catalytic convertor crankshaft sensor too. I literally think the only cause now is the wiring?? Did you ever find a solution to it cutting out and not starting?

[Hassanzahid321]

Oops forgot to mention i also changed the fuel pump relay.

[Tedoly]

Chesterman88 I’m having the exact same problem with my Astra j, did you manage to resolve the issue it’s driving me crazy ! Thank you.

[diamond62]

Hi Just wondering if anyone solved this issue as i am having the very same problem &pulling my hair out at the moment

[Astra_2014]

Hi did anybody sort this problem I am having the same problem three different garages can’t find any faults every time I get it back it last 3-5 miles then conks out on me and only starts with a power pack

[Katiewhyte]

Did anyone find the problem? My car has started doing the same, I have replaced the coil pack, water pump, spark plugs, crank sensor and it’s still doing it. Put it in the garage and they can’t seem to find the problem, only works when I pull the coil pack plug out and put it back in.

Edited by Katiewhyte on Thursday 29th June 17:18

[Adrian81]

I have the same problem with my Vauxhall Astra J 2013 petrol. It cuts out. They found oil in the ECU unit. That was all replaced with a new ECU ,programed at the Vauxhall Dealer. Got a new fuel pump, new gold sparks, but still has the same problem. The garage can't find the problem. Anyone got at the bottom of this?

[stevieturbo]

Adrian81 said:

I have the same problem with my Vauxhall Astra J 2013 petrol. It cuts out. They found oil in the ECU unit. That was all replaced with a new ECU ,programed at the Vauxhall Dealer. Got a new fuel pump, new gold sparks, but still has the same problem. The garage can't find the problem. Anyone got at the bottom of this?

Other than changing parts at random, what steps have they taken to actually try and diagnose the problem ?

[Saleen836]

I would be replacing the coil pack connector as this is a common fault on the Astra J

[Adrian81]

I will try that and come back with an answer. Thanks