Astra H (2004) 1.7 CDTI 100- Cut out and Starting problems

[jaygo]

Hi,

Need some advice or direction on this as i'm snookered as to what my next step should be?

At first my car wouldn’t start after any journey. Then it would randomly cut out during journeys, sometimes after 40mins,
sometimes after 10mins. It will suddenly loose power (feels abit like a clumsy gear change from 5th to 3rd)
the lights will appear on the dashboard, (as if it’s stalled) It would then gradually slow down till it finally cuts out.
After cutting out it won’t start from between 10mins to 60mins later. It then runs fine until the next time, (No warning lights on the dashboard).

I had the recovery service out to me on 2 occasions, and both times my engine started up fine first time, and when
they plugged in their ODB scanners, they found no faults. The first guy said its probably an immobiliser on the fuel pump,
the other guy said it was my EGR valve and proceeded to take off the vacuum pump hose and plug it with a screw,
saying that should do the trick for now….. it didn’t!

So I started browsing the forums and looked into error codes and eventually did the pedal test, These are the ECN codes that I found;
060611 060633 050074 033529 U213971
I realise you only need be concerned with the first 4 digits, just wanted to show you that I had 2 ECU malfunction codes.

I did take a punt on it being the ECU (Due to the 0606 codes) and sent it to an ECU repair specialist for a diagnostic and repair.
I was told that they were unable to fully test due to my ECU having software on it which they had not encountered before.
So they waived the standard test fee and the ECU is on it’s way home at the moment.
My next thought was to pick off the ECN codes starting with ‘0335’ and look at replacing the Crankshaft Sensor.
But this morning I read on this website, (DTC checker page) that if my ‘Spanner light’ isn’t on then it’s not usually anything
to worry about, as the ECN codes are just previous errors that have been stored? As my spanner light isn’t on, and has never stayed on
after any of the cut out issues, I’m totally baffled what to do next?

Should I have the ECN codes cleared first, and wait till the car cuts out again then do the pedal test?
I have also read a lot of views and opinions about cleaning or replacing the EGR valve?
Anyone got any ideas of where I should be focussing my attention, as I’m stumped right now?


Thanks in advance

[pecky]

My next thought was to pick off the ECN codes starting with ‘0335’ and look at replacing the Crankshaft Sensor.
But this morning I read on this website, (DTC checker page) that if my ‘Spanner light’ isn’t on then it’s not usually anything
to worry about, as the ECN codes are just previous errors that have been stored? As my spanner light isn’t on, and has never stayed on
after any of the cut out issues, I’m totally baffled what to do next?

I only put that comment on there, because troubel codes can stay on the car for a very long time, I didn't want people to panic just because they found out what the pedal test is, put in the codes and then worry about it.

Your case is different, you have experienced clear engine/ecu issues, so it is fair to assume they are relevent to the issue.

Your codes don't immediately point to the EGR which isn't as much a problem on the 1.7 as it is on the 1.9.

Get the codes cleared as you suggest and wait for it to happen again. Will save you chasing issues based on your current DTC list.

[jaygo]

Thanks Richard,
should be getting the codes cleared at the weekend.
Will update the thread as and when i know more.

Cheers