Engine doesn't start - should diagnostic check discover the fault?
I run a Vauxhall Corsa diesel 1.3 Club, 58 plate, 43,000 miles on the clock, regularly serviced. It is a driving school car. Recently, in the middle of the day, the engine suddenly faded and cut out whilst stationary.
An amber engine management warning light was displayed. After many attempts, I managed to re-start the engine and took it to a local mechanic who carried out a fairly brief diagnostic check and told me that it was showing fault number P0087, rail pressure.
He cleared the fault from the ECU and advised me to take it to a Vauxhall dealer who would be able to do a more thorough diagnostic check to find out the exact fault.
The main dealer charged £91 for the diagnostic check. They could not find any fault. The fact that the other mechanic had cleared the fault from the ECU was stated as being a significant reason as to why they couldn’t identify the fault.
They advised me to wait until it happens again, then they would be able to find the fault.
Was the wrong action taken by the first mechanic? I thought that the diagnostic machine at the main dealer would have identified the fault in the car, despite the fault being cleared from the ECU. Should a more thorough diagnostic check have been carried out?
An amber engine management warning light was displayed. After many attempts, I managed to re-start the engine and took it to a local mechanic who carried out a fairly brief diagnostic check and told me that it was showing fault number P0087, rail pressure.
He cleared the fault from the ECU and advised me to take it to a Vauxhall dealer who would be able to do a more thorough diagnostic check to find out the exact fault.
The main dealer charged £91 for the diagnostic check. They could not find any fault. The fact that the other mechanic had cleared the fault from the ECU was stated as being a significant reason as to why they couldn’t identify the fault.
They advised me to wait until it happens again, then they would be able to find the fault.
Was the wrong action taken by the first mechanic? I thought that the diagnostic machine at the main dealer would have identified the fault in the car, despite the fault being cleared from the ECU. Should a more thorough diagnostic check have been carried out?
Asked on 13 January 2013 by SH
Answered by
Honest John
No, it would not have done. Can't find a fault if the fault has been cleared from the memory unless the same fault occurs again. Check the oil level. If it is unusually high this could signify that the DPF is clogged and will no longer regenerate in the normal way with the result that fuel fed into the engine to regenerate it simply sinks into the sump.
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