Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 16:44:01

Title: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 16:44:01
I have a 2001 CDX Omega, it has a strange problem.
The ECU light (the one with the spanner and car) come on once in a blue moon.
There is no logic to it, it just comes on when it feels like it.
It can be 150 miles or just a few. The Vauxhall garage checked the fault code and it said something about the throttle position sensor not matching the engines situation.
Recommended solution was to clear all learnt values from the ECU and then drive it so new values can be stored.
This was done but the problem continues. The engines performance does not change when the light comes on and if the car is stopped and the engine re-started the light goes of and stays off till it feels like coming on again!

I took it back to the garage where i purchased it and they kept it for a week, used it daily and took it on a 150 mile trip...the light never came on!

I picked it up and drop the 50 miles back to my house...no light until I was 10 miles away from home and used my mobile to call home. The mobile is in a holder on the air vent next to the matrix display. It is linked by Bluetooth to my Tom Tom.

When I made the call...the light came on.

I think the phone may be causing interference in the ECU and throwing up a error even when there is not one.

Has anyone had anything like this before? Do you think it could be real?
Thoughts please.
PG
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 October 2007, 17:21:07
What engine is it 4/6 cyl 2.0/2.2 or 2.5/2.6 or 3.0/3.2?
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 17:35:29
4 cyl. 2.2
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: VXL V6 on 20 October 2007, 18:47:00
Got to say that it's highly unlikely to be the mobile, where is the bluetooth unit located???
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 19:20:25
The Tom Tom is driver’s side of dash above the light switch.

I don’t think it is the Bluetooth it only radiates at 10 mw, I tried driving with that off and the 'problem' was still with me.
I know it seems strange but it is looking more like the phone than anything else.
Mobiles emit on high frequencies and if in a low signal strength area they boost their output to quite a high level. They can screw up a computer if placed close to the motherboard.
Now I know that the phone is not right next to the ECU, but it is next to the matrix display.
RF output could be picked up by this (or cabling) and causes the ECU to get confused.

I have moved the phone now, away from that location to see if the problem goes.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Has anyone had my ‘problem’ with the light and found the cause?
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: Chopsdad on 20 October 2007, 20:01:42
More likely to be Lambda sensor or MAF fault code IMO - they will light the EML but not put the car into limp mode.

Ask the garage to quote the codes to you for any stored faults and post them here for recommendations.

Mobile .....err......well......anything's possible  ;)
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 October 2007, 20:20:00
Does the car always start first time?
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 20:33:02
Lambda sensors have been changed twice. (once by the garage i got it from and once by Vauxhall).
The ones in now are Vauxhall parts not clones.

Yep, the car starts 1st time runs perfectly!
It really is odd, there is nothing wrong that i can tell, just the light every so offen, and as i said, if you turn off the engine and start again it is clear.
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: TheBoy on 20 October 2007, 21:49:41
Where are you?
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 20 October 2007, 22:05:10
Dunstable
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: TheBoy on 20 October 2007, 22:07:07
Im in Brackley - about 50m.

I'f your stuck, bring it up, and we can try to find out what the ecu is moaning about...
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 21 October 2007, 00:54:18
cool...thanks for that. I will give it a week with the phone moved from its mount.
If it stll shows up i will get in touch. ;)
PG
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 21 October 2007, 19:23:27
OK...looking good so far.
I have moved the phone away from the matrix display.
Had 4  (8 half journeys (starts)) trips out today of varying lengths, starting from cold and from warm.
The light has not come on, so a good start.

I will be more confident as the week goes by but am am pretty sure now that it is the phone  :o

Strange but......hey....anythings possible.
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: TheBoy on 21 October 2007, 22:39:03
Quote
OK...looking good so far.
I have moved the phone away from the matrix display.
Had 4  (8 half journeys (starts)) trips out today of varying lengths, starting from cold and from warm.
The light has not come on, so a good start.

I will be more confident as the week goes by but am am pretty sure now that it is the phone  :o

Strange but......hey....anythings possible.
Bluetooth, like any form of RF, can cause interference on electronic components...
Title: Re: ECU light and mobile phones
Post by: GrayUK on 22 October 2007, 08:24:05
Yes i agree, but as i say i do not think it is the bluetooth.
I am pretty sure now it is the phone output.

I will keep updating as i find more, if i can go a week without it coming on, i will then put the phone back where it was and see if it returns.

PG