Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: conrad on 24 February 2008, 23:45:20

Title: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 24 February 2008, 23:45:20
Hi all,

i'm drunk and don't know what's going on, please help.

Now and then my car seems to have trouble firing up, even though it turns over fine, and when this happens it sticks in the "limp home" mode on the auto box.

I had the gearbox ECU replaced by the VX dealers which cured the problem for 5 mins, but £700 later I'm reluctant to go back to them.

Is it possible this is an engine problem rather than a gearbox problem?

Sometimes a switch off/switch on works but sometimes it doesn't, which leaves me having to use the gearbox in manual mode- in which case what's the point having an auto?

Any ideas appreciated, but please speak slowly; I'm quite thick
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 24 February 2008, 23:59:36
Hello mate

You need to first of all get a clear of the codes stored in the gearbox and engine ECU and see what returns

ECU failure is extremely rare, and if the dealer replaced it "off the cuff"... then you need to seek compensation for their mis diagnosis...

I suggest if there appears to be an autobox problem, pop off the little sump, and check for bits / remains of thrust washer.

Obviously before going to any great length, check your ATF level.

I suggest doing this while sober though - you don't want to support a car after a few beers :y
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 February 2008, 00:02:19
oops.. just read it struggles to initially start - this is not indicative of gearbox problems.

Reading the codes is your first bet... I suspect something related to crank sensor re starting...

Do the paperclip test detailed on here, if you get a code 19, then change the crank sensor, which causes bad starting.

It's possible the faults are unrelated, but if no joy, do the things mentioned in my first post...
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 25 February 2008, 00:20:46
I've seen one or two posts regarding crank sensor problems and wondered if this could be my problem. After they changed my g'box ecu I started wondering if the prob' was related to the engine rather than anything with the gearbox itself.

It usually goes fine first thing, but if i've gone a short distance, stopped, then started again this is when the problem comes to light.

Love the car when it's working, I can see how there's so many people on this forum who are keen on the motor. It's just starting to get on my t**s when it's not.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 25 February 2008, 06:27:35
Will not be crank sensor...everything points to the cam sensor.

Common problem on a 2.2.

We've all suffered from it.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 25 February 2008, 06:59:56
Quote
oops.. just read it struggles to initially start - this is not indicative of gearbox problems.

Reading the codes is your first bet... I suspect something related to crank sensor re starting...
Do the paperclip test detailed on here, if you get a code 19, then change the crank sensor, which causes bad starting.
It's possible the faults are unrelated, but if no joy, do the things mentioned in my first post...

Crank sensor rarely fails on a 2.2.

You cannot do the paperclip test on a 2.2.

Bad starting and limp mode is almost certainly the cam sensor.

The dealer has made a mistake in changing the auto box ECU, if they had checked the fault codes and consulted the Technical Bulletins in TIS they would have changed the cam sensor and cured your problems.

I would certainly seek compensation.

Make sure that only a genuine Vx replacement cam sensor is fitted, and your problems will be sorted.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 25 February 2008, 09:56:48
Cam sensor.....classic symptoms

No paper clip diag on a 2.2......and a dealer replacing an ECU on a whimmm.....surely not!
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 February 2008, 13:01:36
whoops, I didn't see the 2.2 bit  ::)
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 25 February 2008, 19:15:11
Thanks for the suggestions, wish I'd come on here before going to the dealer's.

If it's a cam sensor is it something I could do myself? Is it an easy job?
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 25 February 2008, 20:12:33
Yes, it's at the front of the engine, in front of the Ecotech strip.

Make sure you only buy a genuine Vx cam sensor, I think they're about £60/£70.

Pattern parts fail.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 26 February 2008, 13:25:16
Thanks again for the help, I'll see how i can get on this weekend.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Tony H on 26 February 2008, 19:52:46
If it turns out to be the crank sensor I'd be off back to the VX dealers sharpish for a £700 refund if the are arsy about it just mention a report to trading standards. Car repair businesses are really flavour of the month with trading standards at the moment, for turning out shoddy work
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 27 February 2008, 07:15:41
Quote
If it turns out to be the crank sensor I'd be off back to the VX dealers sharpish for a £700 refund if the are arsy about it just mention a report to trading standards. Car repair businesses are really flavour of the month with trading standards at the moment, for turning out shoddy work

Cam Sensor, not crank sensor on a 2.2.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 29 February 2008, 01:20:00
Crank sensor, cam sensor, please guys don't try and confuse me. I refer you to the last three words of my first post!  ;D
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 29 February 2008, 06:39:57
Quote
Crank sensor, cam sensor, please guys don't try and confuse me. I refer you to the last three words of my first post!  ;D

It will be the cam sensor....most 2.2's on here have suffered from it.

Make sure it's replaced with a genuine Vx part.


Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 29 February 2008, 07:22:10
Quote
Cam sensor.....classic symptoms

No paper clip diag on a 2.2......and a dealer replacing an ECU on a whimmm.....surely not!

Dealer changed my engine and gearbox ecu trying to cure the same fault  ::) ;D

But in the end it was the cam sensor  :y

Luckily my 2.2 was under warranty at the time
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: conrad on 01 March 2008, 18:35:47
Right, that's that done.

Surprised myself when I managed it without amputating any limbs. Didn't even have to take aux belt off (well I tried but couldn't do it)!

We'll see how it goes for a week or two.

Thanks again everyone for the help.
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: albitz on 01 March 2008, 21:09:36
as well as trading standards threat,also threaten small claims court,local papers,watchdog etc. dig your heels in until you get your £700 back :y
Title: Re: Drunkeness
Post by: Auto Addict on 02 March 2008, 19:41:32
Quote
Right, that's that done.

Surprised myself when I managed it without amputating any limbs. Didn't even have to take aux belt off (well I tried but couldn't do it)!

We'll see how it goes for a week or two.

Thanks again everyone for the help.

 :y