Vauxhall cavalier Electronics
Discussion
Does anyone know anything about Vauxhall Electronics?
I have a 16V Cavalier with an electronis problem which the Vauxhall dealer cannot identify on his diagnostic system. He concedes that it exists, but says it isn't present when tested.
The symtoms are:
It starts up on the back-up system. i.e with the orange fault light on. I pull away and can get the light out by swithching off and on again whilst in motion. It will do about 5 miles O K and then cut out. I can then re-start it on the back up and if I carry on for a couple of miles, put the light out again by the swithching off and back on again routine. It will then be O K until I switch off again. The routine starts again when I restart except that If it is still warm the 5 mile later routine isn't needed.
Anyone anything to offer?
I have a 16V Cavalier with an electronis problem which the Vauxhall dealer cannot identify on his diagnostic system. He concedes that it exists, but says it isn't present when tested.
The symtoms are:
It starts up on the back-up system. i.e with the orange fault light on. I pull away and can get the light out by swithching off and on again whilst in motion. It will do about 5 miles O K and then cut out. I can then re-start it on the back up and if I carry on for a couple of miles, put the light out again by the swithching off and back on again routine. It will then be O K until I switch off again. The routine starts again when I restart except that If it is still warm the 5 mile later routine isn't needed.
Anyone anything to offer?
Have they confirmed A fault in the ecus memory?
The management light only comes on if there is a fault logged in the ecu.
If theyve used their diagnostics on it they should have given you a report as to the fault.
You can do a check yourself if youre au fait with electronics.
Tell me what year, model engine capacity/code and management system youve got fitted, i can look up the fault codes and hopefully point you in the right direction.
You may need to read the fault codes youself so i can help, but i need the other info first.
Its funny that they havent given you any ideas.
The management light only comes on if there is a fault logged in the ecu.
If theyve used their diagnostics on it they should have given you a report as to the fault.
You can do a check yourself if youre au fait with electronics.
Tell me what year, model engine capacity/code and management system youve got fitted, i can look up the fault codes and hopefully point you in the right direction.
You may need to read the fault codes youself so i can help, but i need the other info first.
Its funny that they havent given you any ideas.
Thanks Delta,
It's a 95 GLSi with a 2 litre engine. I can get the rest of the info for tomorrow.
Their exact reply was that there was two faults, one being a camshaft sensor problem, and the other was the one they referred to as not present at that time, I cleaned the camshaft sensor, but it made little or no difference. The guy also said the camshaft sensor only acted as a back-up to the crankshaft sensor and so was not causing the problems I described to him.
In addition to the symptoms I have described so far: I am pretty sure it is the ignition that cuts as it back-fires in the exhaust as it re-starts.
It's a 95 GLSi with a 2 litre engine. I can get the rest of the info for tomorrow.
Their exact reply was that there was two faults, one being a camshaft sensor problem, and the other was the one they referred to as not present at that time, I cleaned the camshaft sensor, but it made little or no difference. The guy also said the camshaft sensor only acted as a back-up to the crankshaft sensor and so was not causing the problems I described to him.
In addition to the symptoms I have described so far: I am pretty sure it is the ignition that cuts as it back-fires in the exhaust as it re-starts.
Delta,
I crawled around on my hands and knees last night with a torch and have the following info:
Simtec 5WK9 062 90 506 400 TH S95 003.
Does this mean anything to you? I still can't see how I can read the fault codes, I thought that was the function of the diagnostic equipment held at the main dealers.
Ironically after rummaging in the wiring in the area of the unit it started up perfectly this morning, but did eventually cut out and have to be re-started with the orange light on about a mile and a half further on than where it normally stops
Any hints are gratefully recieved.
I crawled around on my hands and knees last night with a torch and have the following info:
Simtec 5WK9 062 90 506 400 TH S95 003.
Does this mean anything to you? I still can't see how I can read the fault codes, I thought that was the function of the diagnostic equipment held at the main dealers.
Ironically after rummaging in the wiring in the area of the unit it started up perfectly this morning, but did eventually cut out and have to be re-started with the orange light on about a mile and a half further on than where it normally stops
Any hints are gratefully recieved.
Ok Bob so its the Simtec 56 system.
Yep that means plenty.
Should be the Ecotec engine 16valve engine.
These have problems all the time with the cam position sensors failing.
Ok theres a multiplug in the engine bay according to my data book, its located usually on the passenger side front suspension turret area under the bonnet.
Its a 10 way connector marked a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, etc.
If youre feeling lucky, you can locate the terminals marked A and B.
These should be shorted together with a small jumper wire, be careful not to allow it to touch earth or any other wires.
Then switch on ignition only so that the management light comes on.
What will happen will be that it will flash out a series of fault codes stored in the vehicles memory.
soomething like this.....flash....pause..flash flash.
So if thats all it shows the fault code would be 12 or whatever.
Fault code listing as follows:
13-oxygen sensor-no voltage change
14 engine coolant(ect) sensor- voltage low
15 ect sensor -voltage high
16 knock sensor1- no voltage change.
19 engine speed sensor-incorrect signal
21 (tps)throttle position sensor-voltage hi
22 tps sensor -voltage low.
23 knock control module-no signal
24 vehicle speed sensor-no signal
25 injector1-volts hi
26 " "2
27 " "3
28 " "4
33 egr valve -wiring
34 egr valve- wiring
37 warning lamp -volts low
38 O2 sensor-volts low
39 O2 sensor- volts hi
44 O2 sensor- weak mixture
45 O2 sensor -rich mixture
46 and 47 air pump relay- short circuit
48 supply volts low
49 supply volts-hi
52 warning lamp -volts hi
53 fuel pump relay-voltage low
54 fuel pump relay-voltage hi
55 ecm (ecu fault)
56 idle air control-volts hi
57 idle air control -volts lo
61 fuel tank vent valve-volts lo
62 feul tank vent valve-volts hi
69 intake air temp sensor-voltslo
71 intake air temp sensor-volts hi
73 mass air flow sensor- volts lo
74 mass air flow sensor-volts hi
75 at torque control-volts lo
76 at torque control- ign retard long
81 injector 1 voltage lo
82 inj----- 2 voltage lo
83 ink----- 3 voltage lo
84 inj----- 4 voltage lo
87 a/c compressor relay- volts lo
88 a/c compressor relay -volts hi
91 O2 sensor -heater voltage hi
92 cam position sensor
98 O2 sensor heater volts lo
You referred to a fault that wasnt present when the dealer checked it, can you remember what it was?
Other things you can check will be: check that the ECU multiplug is properly pushed home.
Check the fuel pump relay for oxidised contacts etc.
Look for loose or blown fuses, these can cause all sorts of on/off intermittants.
Hope this is of some help to you, dont hestitate to ask for further assistance if you need it.
Yep that means plenty.
Should be the Ecotec engine 16valve engine.
These have problems all the time with the cam position sensors failing.
Ok theres a multiplug in the engine bay according to my data book, its located usually on the passenger side front suspension turret area under the bonnet.
Its a 10 way connector marked a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, etc.
If youre feeling lucky, you can locate the terminals marked A and B.
These should be shorted together with a small jumper wire, be careful not to allow it to touch earth or any other wires.
Then switch on ignition only so that the management light comes on.
What will happen will be that it will flash out a series of fault codes stored in the vehicles memory.
soomething like this.....flash....pause..flash flash.
So if thats all it shows the fault code would be 12 or whatever.
Fault code listing as follows:
13-oxygen sensor-no voltage change
14 engine coolant(ect) sensor- voltage low
15 ect sensor -voltage high
16 knock sensor1- no voltage change.
19 engine speed sensor-incorrect signal
21 (tps)throttle position sensor-voltage hi
22 tps sensor -voltage low.
23 knock control module-no signal
24 vehicle speed sensor-no signal
25 injector1-volts hi
26 " "2
27 " "3
28 " "4
33 egr valve -wiring
34 egr valve- wiring
37 warning lamp -volts low
38 O2 sensor-volts low
39 O2 sensor- volts hi
44 O2 sensor- weak mixture
45 O2 sensor -rich mixture
46 and 47 air pump relay- short circuit
48 supply volts low
49 supply volts-hi
52 warning lamp -volts hi
53 fuel pump relay-voltage low
54 fuel pump relay-voltage hi
55 ecm (ecu fault)
56 idle air control-volts hi
57 idle air control -volts lo
61 fuel tank vent valve-volts lo
62 feul tank vent valve-volts hi
69 intake air temp sensor-voltslo
71 intake air temp sensor-volts hi
73 mass air flow sensor- volts lo
74 mass air flow sensor-volts hi
75 at torque control-volts lo
76 at torque control- ign retard long
81 injector 1 voltage lo
82 inj----- 2 voltage lo
83 ink----- 3 voltage lo
84 inj----- 4 voltage lo
87 a/c compressor relay- volts lo
88 a/c compressor relay -volts hi
91 O2 sensor -heater voltage hi
92 cam position sensor
98 O2 sensor heater volts lo
You referred to a fault that wasnt present when the dealer checked it, can you remember what it was?
Other things you can check will be: check that the ECU multiplug is properly pushed home.
Check the fuel pump relay for oxidised contacts etc.
Look for loose or blown fuses, these can cause all sorts of on/off intermittants.
Hope this is of some help to you, dont hestitate to ask for further assistance if you need it.
Thanks Delta,
That's superb info. It is an Ecotec The guy at the main dealers reckoned the cam sensor was faulty, although as it formed the back up it couldn't have been the primary cause. Does that sound right?
As regards the other fault to which he referred, I have never known which symtoms are associated with which fault, so I can't answer that
I know the plug close to the battery to which you are referring, so I can have a go at that at the weekend.
That's superb info. It is an Ecotec The guy at the main dealers reckoned the cam sensor was faulty, although as it formed the back up it couldn't have been the primary cause. Does that sound right?
As regards the other fault to which he referred, I have never known which symtoms are associated with which fault, so I can't answer that
I know the plug close to the battery to which you are referring, so I can have a go at that at the weekend.
If you do decide to try and read the codes yourself, remember to make sure the ignition is OFF before you jumper the A and B terminals.
Only switch it on after they are connected.
It may take you a while to get the jist of how it flashes the codes up, but youll soon understand.
Hope you get it sorted.
Only switch it on after they are connected.
It may take you a while to get the jist of how it flashes the codes up, but youll soon understand.
Hope you get it sorted.
Bob, check the integrity of the insulation on the wires. I had a problem with my cavalier MK2, which Vauxhall were hoping to charge me 200quid to sort out, turned out the crank position sensor wire had a hole and was earthing against the thermostat housing. Wrapped it in insulation tape and the car's been fine ever since.
Deltaf, I'm impressed! I'll have to remember that stuff!!!
Deltaf, I'm impressed! I'll have to remember that stuff!!!
One other thing, the coolant temperature sensors are forever messing about with Vauxhalls and, in my experience they don't always trigger warning lights.
It's worth taking it off and cleaning it, again this did wonders for mine. The temp sensor is located on the left-hand side of the engine as you look at it, just follow the water pipes back from the thermostat until you see a wire come out from the block and head into the loom near the injection rail. Mine was identified by a sort of light blue colour plastic thing.
I'm dead technical me!
It's worth taking it off and cleaning it, again this did wonders for mine. The temp sensor is located on the left-hand side of the engine as you look at it, just follow the water pipes back from the thermostat until you see a wire come out from the block and head into the loom near the injection rail. Mine was identified by a sort of light blue colour plastic thing.
I'm dead technical me!
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