Thanks, looks promising. I've just filled in their on-line contact form.
- Love your welding/fabrication by the way. Excellent stuff!
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X16XEL Engine Warning Light EML MOT fail.
- Thread starter JerryS
- Start date
- Love your welding/fabrication by the way. Excellent stuff!
Aww, thank you. I hope my brick laying skills are half as easy to pick up. Both mk3's are on hold at the moment till I build my new garage so they're currently languishing under a tarpaulin outside as I'm afraid the old garage collapses on top of them..lol.
Things not looking too great. BBA-Raman can't repair it. Waiting to hear now if they can offer a replacement.
Vernon from H&V was helpful on the phone but just as my local Tech2 chap said - without a security code these units can't be reprogrammed. When I tried my s/h unit it did start and run for a second before presumably the immobilizer issue cut in. Other than the immobilizer dtc there was no P0230 code showing. I know I shouldn't be hasty to assume anything but with the original ECU the P0230 always returned immediately on engine starting.
After looking at the wiring diagram again I can see a couple of additional switched power rail supplies to the ECU, I'll check these are correct. I could start swapping in various new sensors too, but I'm pretty sure it's some internal fault.
The new aux belt's arrived, I'll stick that on for now.
Looks like I may have to wait for an appropriate ecu and key/transponder to turn up from somewhere.
Vernon from H&V was helpful on the phone but just as my local Tech2 chap said - without a security code these units can't be reprogrammed. When I tried my s/h unit it did start and run for a second before presumably the immobilizer issue cut in. Other than the immobilizer dtc there was no P0230 code showing. I know I shouldn't be hasty to assume anything but with the original ECU the P0230 always returned immediately on engine starting.
After looking at the wiring diagram again I can see a couple of additional switched power rail supplies to the ECU, I'll check these are correct. I could start swapping in various new sensors too, but I'm pretty sure it's some internal fault.
The new aux belt's arrived, I'll stick that on for now.
Looks like I may have to wait for an appropriate ecu and key/transponder to turn up from somewhere.
I take it you don't have the details of the original car that the ECU came out of?? If you did you should be able to get the details from Vauxhall.
Aww, did they have pictures of the original car or was it just the ecu?
Hi Tom, yes the P0230 dtc pops up as soon as the engine runs. I can clear it with OPCOM and it stays clear on key-on when the fuel pump initially primes the system but as soon as the engine is actually started and runs the P0230 reappears.
BA-Raman has just emailed - they can't supply a replacement ECU.
It would be good to know if the ECU really is faulty or if the problem is a sensor making it misbehave. The "Fuel Pump Voltage High" could just be it seeing +12V instead of 0V somewhere perhaps. All the power and earths appear to be correct on the ECU connectors.
I've fitted the new aux belt to try to cheer me up. I'll put the wheel arch liner back on and drop the car back down and have a bit more of a think.
BA-Raman has just emailed - they can't supply a replacement ECU.
It would be good to know if the ECU really is faulty or if the problem is a sensor making it misbehave. The "Fuel Pump Voltage High" could just be it seeing +12V instead of 0V somewhere perhaps. All the power and earths appear to be correct on the ECU connectors.
I've fitted the new aux belt to try to cheer me up. I'll put the wheel arch liner back on and drop the car back down and have a bit more of a think.
I sent you a pm Jerry ...Whole car I spotted here ,any good ? I'd have the head ! Astra Mk3 1995 1.6 GLS Hatchback | in London | Gumtree
That looks like another one too good to scrap - shame they gave up on the repair. Hope they haven't lost any bits. I wonder which OBD socket it has by the fuses? I remember my old (94) Cavalier had the earlier one that needed an adapter for the OPCOM.
How's your car now Noel? Found what's wrong with it yet?
When I did the top end repair on mine I did find that the head gasket was beginning to fail at around the same mileage as our/these cars.
How's your car now Noel? Found what's wrong with it yet?
When I did the top end repair on mine I did find that the head gasket was beginning to fail at around the same mileage as our/these cars.
I think at that age it would most likely be the standard OBD2 plug for Tech2. Your Cavalier would have been the Tech1 style socket that the older vehicles had.
How far have I got ? Well, that big red multiplug connector ,on top of the inlet ? How does that come apart without a hammer ?
Waiting on a set of socket reducers as my 1/2" ratchet is too big to get in small gaps and the torx sockets I bought are 1/4 , 3/8 and 1/2 " drive . So using a 1/4 ratchet with a 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor , I should be able to get to the hidden fasteners !
Ah edit ! Someone said on the other x16el head thread ... twist the collar on the plug! I'll try..
Waiting on a set of socket reducers as my 1/2" ratchet is too big to get in small gaps and the torx sockets I bought are 1/4 , 3/8 and 1/2 " drive . So using a 1/4 ratchet with a 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor , I should be able to get to the hidden fasteners !
Ah edit ! Someone said on the other x16el head thread ... twist the collar on the plug! I'll try..
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That is how you do it. Twist the collar and it slips apart....
If you can get one, get a swivel headed short 3/8 ratchet. That'll help with all the awkward bolts as there are quite a few on that engine.
If you can get one, get a swivel headed short 3/8 ratchet. That'll help with all the awkward bolts as there are quite a few on that engine.
My poor old Cavalier - That had a persistent air bag warning light I couldn't get rid of as well.
My sister is already talking of the Astra in the past tense.
You could probably still get a full ecu kit from another motor. They still come up on eBay or with folk breaking cars. It's probably the best way to go if the old one is faulty.
Yes that's plan A. I'm monitoring ebay and will keep searching for a complete ECU/Transponder/Key kits. There are a couple I've seen for different 1997 X16XEL Opel/Vauxhall models but unless all the ECU part numbers are the same I'm in no hurry to add to my duff ECU collection. It's shocking how many solitary units are offered up for sale, they're completely useless but must be snapped up by people like me at the start of such an unhappy learning curve.
I guess this is all the consequence of Vauxhall making their cars less stealable. Which is great but the downside is that this issue appears to be the Achilles heel of a car that's otherwise so affordable and easy to maintain by diyers.
I guess this is all the consequence of Vauxhall making their cars less stealable. Which is great but the downside is that this issue appears to be the Achilles heel of a car that's otherwise so affordable and easy to maintain by diyers.
No haven't seen ones with the reg included.
The car electrics guys with Tech2 gear I spoke to mentioned a security pass code that would have originally been available with a car from new - like a credit card. I've got one like that for the radio security code. Then the ECUs can be reprogrammed apparently, though I've yet to hear from anyone who has actually done this with our Mk3s.
The car electrics guys with Tech2 gear I spoke to mentioned a security pass code that would have originally been available with a car from new - like a credit card. I've got one like that for the radio security code. Then the ECUs can be reprogrammed apparently, though I've yet to hear from anyone who has actually done this with our Mk3s.
Yeah, that's right enough. Every Vauxhall comes from the factory with a car pass. You need it for any Tech2 based security or programming functions. If you have the car's registration number and chassis number Vauxhall can supply it as they have them all on record. 
I tried to get going again on this saga. Went along to my local Vauxhall dealer to get my security code. Cost £36. They rang me up next day with the details and card is also in the post. I had to take in the V5 and some ID. While there I asked about supplying a new engine ecu. They are still available at around £500. £70 back if you exchange. It will still need programming for the car though.
I was hoping just having the code may help things along. It’s strange it wasn’t with the rest of the car’s paperwork as the previous owner had kept everything else. I’m thinking perhaps it was lost for her by the garage that was looking into all this before.
I’ve just had another go today with the OPCOM (with the original engine ECU fitted). Using the code opened up some functions for the Immobilizer but that’s it. One button says “Read EEPROM” which looked hopeful but that just crashed the OPCOM of course.
The OPCOM is frustrating as unlike the Immobilizer “Programming” option button the engine ecu programming button is always shaded.
Had to pack things up tonight as there were ghouls and ghosts everywhere.
I was hoping just having the code may help things along. It’s strange it wasn’t with the rest of the car’s paperwork as the previous owner had kept everything else. I’m thinking perhaps it was lost for her by the garage that was looking into all this before.
I’ve just had another go today with the OPCOM (with the original engine ECU fitted). Using the code opened up some functions for the Immobilizer but that’s it. One button says “Read EEPROM” which looked hopeful but that just crashed the OPCOM of course.
The OPCOM is frustrating as unlike the Immobilizer “Programming” option button the engine ecu programming button is always shaded.
Had to pack things up tonight as there were ghouls and ghosts everywhere.
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