engine management light

[blonde80]

ive got a 54 plate astra 2.0 bertone turbo. put £20 ofpetrol from garage that turned out had water in it!!!!and was on red light before i put it in so obivously car wasnt happy and cut out after driving 100yrds from petrol station. that was about that was 3mths ago. got it sorted . but today the engine management light has come on seems to loose power especaily when revs get high .parked up now as dont want to do any more damage! before i get the garage involed is there anything i can do like would it be spark plugs or sumthing cos of what happened with petrol ? would like a bit of advice as im female and dont want the guy at the garage to take advantage of me being a dumb blonde lol . thanks x

[jam]

Blonde80 welcome to AOC.

Right first of all don't worry about using it. The engine management comes on when there is a problem with the engine management whether it be water in the petrol or a faulty sensor. Unless you have any red lights that don't go out after your car is turned on it'll be safe to drive around. When you get this engine management light comes on, sometimes it puts the car into a 'limp home mode'. This is to save the engine from any potential danger and allow you to safely get home and take it to a garage. Sounds scary but it isn't. Simply go into any garage (back street one as well will be fine) and ask them to read the code stored in the ECU. This code will tell you exactly where the problem lies. Once read come back and post up what the code was exactly. (usually Pxxxx for example P0103). Just let us know the code and we can tell you whats wrong and likely cost to fix it.

Don't be scared of using the car but do get the code read soon as you can.

[gsi-jay]

hi and welcome blonde do you know if the fuel filter was changed last time as it might be stopping fuel at higher rpm as clogged up

[blonde80]

Hi And Thanks, No Nothing Was Changed Was Fixed By Hubbie And Brother As Garage Kept Letting Me Down, As It Wasnt Running. And Cant Live With Out My Car, Theystuck Some Cleaner In Petrol And Filled Car Up . It Reset It Self And Run Fine After That Till Now!!!!

[blonde80]

Am Scared Of Braking Down Lol Was Concered As Its All Hills Were I Live And Due To The Lack Of Power Was Worried It Might Blow Up Or Something!!!!

[blonde80]

Blonde80 welcome to AOC.

Right first of all don't worry about using it. The engine management comes on when there is a problem with the engine management whether it be water in the petrol or a faulty sensor. Unless you have any red lights that don't go out after your car is turned on it'll be safe to drive around. When you get this engine management light comes on, sometimes it puts the car into a 'limp home mode'. This is to save the engine from any potential danger and allow you to safely get home and take it to a garage. Sounds scary but it isn't. Simply go into any garage (back street one as well will be fine) and ask them to read the code stored in the ECU. This code will tell you exactly where the problem lies. Once read come back and post up what the code was exactly. (usually Pxxxx for example P0103). Just let us know the code and we can tell you whats wrong and likely cost to fix it.

Don't be scared of using the car but do get the code read soon as you can.
WAS CONCERED AS IVE OWENED A VETCRA THINK IT WAS A ON A P BUT ONLY 3 YRS OLD AT TIME IT HAD E M LIGHT AND WOULD CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND OBVIOUSLY FRANTIC THEN TO RESTART BEFORE STEERING BRAKES WOULD BE EFFECTED .!

[blonde80]

Should I Change Filter And Plugs First Or Just Go To The Garage For The Code? Sorry To Be A Pain But Hubbie Didnt Want Me To Have The Car. And Every Time Sumthing So Wrong Its My Fault For Having The Car Lol, As Its My Baby. Wanted To Know Were I Stood With It Before I Tell Him Lol Thanks X

[GeordieBandit]

is the light still on?

if so follow this procedure: DIY method of finding out the cause without having it hooked upto a diagnostic machine

With keys out of ignition - press both brake & accelerator pedal at same time and keep them pressed to the floor....

insert key and turn to 2nd click - ignition on but DONT START THE ENGINE

Keep both pedals pressed throughout the procedure....

the EML will flash just like previous models using the paperclip

You will probably find the light flashes 10 times first then a pause then another number, a pause, another number, a pause then another number of flashes.

I say 10 times for the first one as 10 flashes = a ZERO on the fault code and most engine related faults range from P0001 to P0999

If for instance u have the following sequence

10 flashes
pause
3 flashes
pause
10 flashes
pause
10 flashes

this equals 10,3,10,10 which in turn equates to 0,3,0,0 or P0300 which in turn is "Multiple cylinder misfire"

10 is the only number that becomes another number
1-9 flashes remain a 1-9 code if that makes any sense

Have a go and let me know how u get on.... if u cant find the cause of the code - do a google with the words "Vauxhall and Pxxxx" (whatever the code is) and see what it comes up with.

Sounds complicated but its dead easy - just laid it out as simple as poss for anyone to see

[ZAF_GSI]

Do pedal test first as it will give you the code for free. While keys are out put feet on brake and accelarator put keys in turn for ignition setting 2 and wait for a light to flash.
HTH
Adam

[blonde80]

Hi Im Sat In Car Now, Thank Heavans For Laptops The Light Is Redfusing To Flash Am I Doing Sumthing Wrong?

[blonde80]

Refusing To Flash

[K17KRS]

Right guys I got my new engine fitted and is running fine apart from 1 issue the spanner on the dash is on got it hooked up and its a p1115 which I have checked on net and is a coolant malfunction but thought it might have been a sensor on the new engine so swapped old ones over any idea's giys?

[GeordieBandit]

u need to press both pedals all the way down and leave them there until ur finished

turn key to 2nd click and wait a second

the light will either flash a certain sequence if a code is stored

or flash continuously if none are stored

[geoffsgsiturbo]

u are keepin both held down? then turning the key on?

[blonde80]

Yes , Sat In Car Put In Nuterl , Put Both Pedals To Floor Togther,put Key In, Turned Key To Second Click, All Lights Come On As Normal But It E M Light Wont Flash Sat There For A Few Mins Nothing Even Flicked? All Lights Stayed Displyed Until I Took Key Out.

[GeordieBandit]

whereabouts in gods country are u? maybe a local member with a fault code reader could lend a hand

i would so im sure another helpful soul would do the same

[blonde80]

Blackwood Gwent South Wales Dont Know If Theres Many Gentlemen Left Out There Lol

[GeordieBandit]

have a look in ur regional forum on here - id be sure someone will lend a hand and diagnose the fault for u

sorry i cant help any further tho :(

[blonde80]

Would An Imobliser Or Sumthin Be Interfering ,stopping Light Flashing, But It Should Def Do Sumthing When Done Correctly?

[blonde80]

Thanks For Your Suggestions Though , I Would Still Be Freting If Id Not Found This Site . X

[ZAF_GSI]

If it aint running properly and nothing has neen done i would give it a service to be honest, plugs etc.

[OISIN]

is the light still on?

if so follow this procedure: DIY method of finding out the cause without having it hooked upto a diagnostic machine

With keys out of ignition - press both brake & accelerator pedal at same time and keep them pressed to the floor....

insert key and turn to 2nd click - ignition on but DONT START THE ENGINE

Keep both pedals pressed throughout the procedure....

the EML will flash just like previous models using the paperclip

You will probably find the light flashes 10 times first then a pause then another number, a pause, another number, a pause then another number of flashes.

I say 10 times for the first one as 10 flashes = a ZERO on the fault code and most engine related faults range from P0001 to P0999

If for instance u have the following sequence

10 flashes
pause
3 flashes
pause
10 flashes
pause
10 flashes

this equals 10,3,10,10 which in turn equates to 0,3,0,0 or P0300 which in turn is "Multiple cylinder misfire"

10 is the only number that becomes another number
1-9 flashes remain a 1-9 code if that makes any sense

Have a go and let me know how u get on.... if u cant find the cause of the code - do a google with the words "Vauxhall and Pxxxx" (whatever the code is) and see what it comes up with.

Sounds complicated but its dead easy - just laid it out as simple as poss for anyone to see

Excellent post, worked first time for me. However, can anyone help with the following please?

I have a 2001 Astra Bertone, recently serviced by a main dealer. Yesterday it began to show the 'engine management' light, together with intermittent 'Engine Cooling' light and the 'traction control' light, all permanently on while driving. It ran sluggishly with some vibration.

Following the instructions above, I got the code P0561 which is 'System Voltage Unstable'. Can any one tell me what this is and if it can be fixed without returning to the garage?

Thanks in advance.

[mattjk]

What voltage is the vehicle readin on and off?

[OISIN]

Errrmmm...I've no idea. How would I find this out? Excuse my ignorance. Is it referring to the battery?

[kingy17]

Hi i have that light comeing on more regular now. I have recorded the lights flashing, can i upload this vid for you to tell me what the problem is cheers, as it doesnt look like it flashes 10 time first

cheers

[GeordieBandit]

it wont always flash 10 times first - thats just in the majority of cases

might just flash once, then once again, then ten times, then six = P1106

upload if u wish - or just tell us what the sequence is

[kingy17]

Hi and thanks for the reply

here is the clip
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f252/kingy17/th_MOV00277.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f252/kingy17/?action=view&current=MOV00277.flv)

[kingy17]

Has any1 had a look at this for me yet

cheers

[mattjk]

Count the flashes!

[kingy17]

how many is there as i ant sure

[Coupe John]

Think you have three fault codes
P1530
P1555
P1525
Looks like it could be somthing to do with the electrnic throttle controls. Need someone lese to check these codes out though. What have you done to the car ? any mods mechanical work done?

[kingy17]

No i havent touched anything, it just came on. It was coming on the odd time and then more than normal. Just been out in it now and it didnt even come on at all

[kingy17]

any help would be appreciated

[webbo gsi]

p1530 A/C cut off relay curcuit malfunction!

p1555 throttle position sensor (tps) mass air flow (maf) implausable signal

p1525 engine throttle system (ets) -limp home position- malfunction

from what ive read you need to clean your throttle body with some carb cleaner! should do the trick!

[webbo gsi]

inside and not out!

[kingy17]

any where abouts would that be mate

cheers

[Snipervxr]

under the top hat at the back of the engine

[blonde80]

hi, i had the problem dignosed though the computer on board. they changed spark plugs and coills , reset engine man. light. and it run fine . cheers for all your help

[blonde80]

was all sorted new plugs and coils ;-) took it to my local intune and they plugged me in to the computer and sorted it .