Omega Owners Forum

Newbie Area => Newbie Welcome Area => Topic started by: Richard007 on 12 December 2008, 13:46:19

Title: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Richard007 on 12 December 2008, 13:46:19
I've got to be honest and say that I've only registered on this site to try to get some advice on a seemingly unresolvable problem with my 2001 Omega 3.2 MV6 - and on a quick tour around the site, it seems I'm not the only owner with the same problem with my ECU and a dashboard warning light that won't disappear!!

Three months ago, the Bosch Engine Control Unit warning light came on. Since then, three different Vauxhall dealerships have charged me a total of over £400 to test the system on their ‘Tech-2’ computer diagnostic machines and subsequently cleaned and then replaced its O2 and Lambda sensors (after diagnostic tests highlighted their fault codes). But each time, after running the car for another 100 miles or so, the warning light has re-appeared.

Now my local Vauxhall dealer, Evans Halshaw in Wolverhampton, says the only solution is to replace the ECU with a new unit costing £1,000 (parts and labour) which is a lot of money to spend on an old car. I rang Vauxhall’s customer service department who were useless and just told me to go back to my local dealer! Meanwhile, several car breakers yards have offered me salvaged ECUs from scrapped 3.2 Omegas for prices between £35 and £300, but my Vauxhall dealership says that unless any ‘used’ ECU comes with its original immobilisation and programming codes, it will not work in my car.  And, to confuse the picture even further, when I sought independent advice through the Internet, several auto electronic re-programming firms offered to repair my existing ECU for prices ranging from £40 to £200 – but said I’d have to get it removed from my car and sent to them – and there would be no guarantee the ECU warning light wouldn’t still come back on!

Despite the constant presence of the ECU warning light and slightly reduced fuel economy, the car drives perfectly well and, since it’s done only 67,000 miles and is otherwise in mint condition, I don't want to get rid of it.  IF ANYONE has any good suggestion as to the best way forward, I'd like to hear from them. Surely there must be a way of getting this ECU/EML problem fixed cheaply but reliably!!?

I should just add that this is the first fault I've had with my otherwise totally reliable MV6 in seven happy years of motoring!!  before then, I had a fabulous 3.0 Senator (altogether nicer than the Omegas) and before than a Carlton GSi 3000 - another fantastic car.
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 December 2008, 13:49:43
Hello & Welcome  :y

I believe the 3.2 and 2.6's all suffer this as they age, the precats arent up to the job.

You can either buy a cheap code reader and reset it every time, or I think you can move 2 of the sensors further down the exhaust system and fool the ecu.
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: waspy on 12 December 2008, 14:05:01
Good afternoon & welcome :)

You'd do better posting your problem in the General Help section :y

Now you've registered with us, stick around & feel free to post up, we're a fiendly bunch ;)
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 12 December 2008, 14:20:39
Hello Richard and a very warm welcome to you! :y

As Pete has said if you post all your querries under Omega General Help you will get the response you need and you will not leave the forum 8-) 8-) ;D ;)!
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Elite Pete on 12 December 2008, 14:44:23
Hi Richard and welcome :)
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Entwood on 12 December 2008, 14:46:35
"Hello" and Welcome :)

Hi .. as said ask such questions in the general help to get more answers....  but as a fellow 3.2 owner .. a few points to start ...

1 .. read here ... "Pedal trick" ... would have saved you the £400 in diagnostics .. :(

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687

2. If the codes you get a 0420 & 0430 ... common fault and lots written about them

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1228752972/0#0

... invest in a resetting device .. range between £25 + laptop (ELM 327) to £80 (GS500) and there are others


If 1 gives anything other than 0420/0430 post up and we'll attempt to help. Trouble with stealers .. they don't tell you the codes ... and many don't know how to use the TechII properly, the guys here do !!

I have had the 0420/0430 twice now in 10 months - first time while on holiday in France .. the pre-knowledge from the forum saved me a fortune and a lot of worry ..  :y :y :y :y

HTH
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 12 December 2008, 15:16:17
Hi and welcome to the site  :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: HolyCount on 12 December 2008, 15:47:16
Hello and welcome -- hope the foregoing advice has been of help -- as has also been said, stick around -- they are a lively bunch on here and lots more goes on than just problem solving  :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Cliffo B on 12 December 2008, 17:22:37
Hello Richard and Welcome to the right place for a troubled worried Omega owner. I've been there. The guys here are great and will help. :y :y :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: dbug on 12 December 2008, 17:33:33
Welcome to OOF :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: mars on 12 December 2008, 18:37:17
Hello and welcome to OOF :) :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 12 December 2008, 19:46:13
Hi, welcome to the forum.   :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: VX1 on 12 December 2008, 21:42:51
Welcome to the world of OOF, as said above post in genral help you will get more response and we are very friendly on here.

Paul  :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: PHEASANT PLUCKER on 12 December 2008, 21:52:55
Hi Richard,Welcome to the forum,Am sure your problem will soon be resolved by our oofers :y :y :y
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: markey mark on 12 December 2008, 23:54:36
how do fella ! post in general help for help  ::)
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: Kieran on 13 December 2008, 00:06:12
Hello and welcome to the site. Had similar problems as you.Took the car 3 times to the garage to get fixed and the light came on again after 100 miles.After having it checked on a proper Tech2 through one of the members here, it was diagonsed the MAF sensor was faulty.There is info in the general help section. Ended up being a very cheap and easy job to do.
Hope this helps and stick around
Title: Re: I'm only here for the ECU (problems)!!
Post by: dieseldean on 13 December 2008, 09:37:15
welcome :y