Hye
I am hoping someone can help me with an engine problem on a Vauxhall Astra Merit 1.4. When driving there is an intermittent loss of power which is quite scary and dangerous. The car is fine while stationary. I have had the car tested firstly by the AA, who suggested I have the car Krypton tuned (no fault found), then at an advanced diagnostics center (no faults found). So far the car has had all plugs changed, all filters replaced, new distributor, rotor arm ect ect. The final repalcement was the ECU and still the fault is there. Is there anything else that can be checked please, as I am at the end of the road, so to speak? I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars, and its cost me a lot of money up to now. I hope someone can help.
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I assume you mean distributor cap replaced rather than the whole distributor. Not sure which year/model Astra you have, but my Cavalier once suffered intermittent power loss under load (you say its OK when stationary) and that was a duff spark plug lead. Not sure if "etc etc" includes new plug leads, but a new set (cheaper for Bosch ones from Halfords than a Vauxhall dealer) cured it.
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I assume this car is 1992 model or newer ,in which case it is possible the catalyst is begining to break up& cause a partial blockage of exhaust system which in turn will cause lack of power.You need to get the exhaust system back pressure tested.
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Is this a "power loss" (ie. it still runs but does not want to accelerate) or a complete / momentary cut-out ?
If it is a complete cut-out it could be a fault with the Hall Switch inside the distributor (assuming, as said earlier, that it is only the cap + rotor that have so far been replaced). Only cure for this is a complete new distrbutor. Another possibility is the ignition switch unit, or fuel pump relay. Unfortunately some intermittent faults are really difficult to pin-point until they become more permanent. A rolling-road test may find the problem quickly, but only if it is happening on a pretty regular basis.
Regards, Adam
Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble.
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The distributer cap and arm WERE the only parts changed. The ignition switch unit has been changed and did not improve the problem. The fuel pump was changed and did not correct the fault. A rolling road test has been carried out and has not identified the problem. All diagnostic tests have been carried out to no avail.
As a last resort we were told to fill the petrol tank as it appeared to run ok until the petrol level reaches the first line up from the red. Below this line is when the problem occurs (may have had a replacement tank at some stage).
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As a last resort we were told to fill the petrol tank as it appeared to run ok until the petrol level reaches the first line up from the red. Below this line is when the problem occurs (may have had a replacement tank at some stage).
Ah ha!! Read the post below, someone else had simliar problems with his Cavalier when his fuel level got low.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=9849&m...e
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Thanks for all the help. Ive read the post and it sounds just like my car. Ive run it on a full tank for the past couple of days without a problem.
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