[Maka]

If the Engine Control Unit (ECU) is dieing on my Astra 1996 P REG

1.4i LS

What are the signs?

Here is mine:

Sometimes fails to start, have to wait about 3-5 minutes, before it will start.

Sometimes in third and forth gear, it rudders, likes it’s going to stall, but doesn’t, like it's lacking a bit of power? only for a few seconds.

Thanks.

 

[Maka]

Can anyone help please?

 

[cipher]

im guessing that you have checked the obvious, such as Fuel supply?
Have you tried reading the fault codes from the ECU?

 

[Maka]

There is no flasing code,

 

[Topbuzz]

> Sometimes fails to start, have to wait about 3-5 minutes,
> before it will start.

If a ECU is dead, it won't start, simple as that. The starter motor will still spin but it will not fire up. Its very, very, very rare for an ECU to go, unless its had a big belt from an elecric source (ie lightning strike or welding).

When the car does start, is it warm?
Does it ever start from cold?

It could be the CTS, as this is like a electronic choke. See my guide at
http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/cts/cts.htm
http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/maintenance/cts/cts.htm

But before we jump to conclusions, have you done basic fault finding first, ie
1) check spark plug gaps
2) check HT leads are ok, free fomr cuts etc.
3) if you have a dizzy, fit a new rototr arm and dizzy cap
4) is the timing correct, has it got out of aligment?
5) is the air intake piping and air box total closed and all jubilee clips all done up, no air gaps or cuts/splits in the pipes?
6) when was the last time the fuel filter was renewed?
7) is the battery in good condition, should get between 12-14v at idel, never below 11v at idle.

All these checks are easy and FREE to do.

 

[Maka]

Thanks for your help mate.

It doesn’t matter if the car is hot, or cold, it will still stall,

I went on a 3 hour drive with my girl,

All at once, at a set of lights, it just stalled, and wouldn’t start for about 2 minutes, now the car couldn’t of been cold, as I’ve just been on a three hour drive.

The picture below show’s where the garage said the problem lies:

The garage did all the above you said, for me.

 

[Topbuzz]

The picture got shows a turbo diesel (buy the looks of it).
But you say its 1.4i (injection), thought they only did 1.7TD was the lowest cc.

 

[Maka]

That picture i found on Ebay,

Thats not my car, i haven't got a cam.

But on mine, there is a little box in the same place,

Well thats what the garage said the problem is.


My dads vauxhall friend, has got the part to be replaced, cost £49 brand new.

 

[Topbuzz]

> Thats not my car, i haven't got a cam.

cam = camshaft ?
I hope you have, otherwise you've found your problem. Car won't work without a camshaft.

> The garage did all the above you said, for me.

So when was the last time the fuel filtter was changed?
Mine was £20 for a Calibra, it been there for 5 years, should be idealy changed every year.

Have you cleaned out the breather pipe from the rocker cover to the throttle body? This gets blocked up with oil diposts over the months/years and can make the engine stall as it can block up the ISCV on some models too.

 

[Maka]

Sorry mate, I meant car, as in digit camera.

Also my dads Vauxhall friend, did a full service, and changed things like the oil filter, and timing belt.


The item I pointed to, he’s ordered and gonna change this weekend. I just cant think for the name.


Thanks for your help.