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[Jim427]

Hi,Guys,
My Omega starts up really well, but unless I have the throttle open slightly, much like starting with a carburettor rather than fuel injection, the engine will die immediately, and the immobilizer light will flash. If you try to restart without switching off completely, it's as dead as a door nail. Assume the immobilizer has cut in. If you do switch off completely, and try again with the throttle open, say at around 1000 revs, all is well, and you can quickly release the accelerator, and it settles down to approx., 550 revs without any trouble, and there after runs like a Swiss watch. In the really cold weather we have had, this was not an issue from cold, but as the weather has warmed up ever so slightly, the problem occurs from cold too.
I say problem, but it's no trouble really, being somewhat of a dinosaur from a bygone age, I am used to starting up cars in this manner, but just wondered if it was typical of the breed?
Any advice or comments would be welcome, and thanks in anticipation,
Jim

[Auto Addict]

Read the codes, pedal test 'How to' in the Maintenance Guides.

[Jim427]

Thanks, I'll the give the old pedal test a try. Didn't think it was necessary, as the car runs so well. No throttle stop screw to adjust then? Can't keep up with these modern devices. Last time I messed with cars they had points, condensers, carbs., and you could actually adjust things.
Thanks again, Jim.

[Entwood]

I wonder if the throttle bodies / ICV just need a bit of a clean ?? When was the last time the breather system was cleaned ...  ?? might be a guide as to the state of the components There are some very small drillings that should be clear and might not be .... 

[Jim427]

Thanks for the reply. I've only had the car since the new year, and don't know if the breather system has ever been cleaned. It's got 67000 on the clock, and full Vauxhall service history, and in general seems to be in very good mechanical order. Excuse my ignorance, but what is an ICV? Inlet control valve? Just a guess. I've just done the pedal test, but lost count, seems to be one flash, then two, then nine. Will have to try in the daylight, and take a pencil and paper!
Thanks for your help. I will have to find my way around these modern engines. Got good basic knowledge, but 30 years out of date! Best wishes, Jim

[Entwood]

ICV - idle control valve

No throttle stop adjustments on these beasts .. all done electronicaly by the ECU talking to the ICV ..

[Andy H]

Yes ICV = idle control valve.

My first thought except that the 2.6 has a 'drive by wire' throttle and the idle is controlled directly by the throttle.

If the breathers are blocked it is quite possible that the throttle body is gummed up so well worth while cleaning the breathers and throttle.

[Jim427]

Thanks for your help, guys, I will dive under the bonnet and check out the throttle body and breathers at the first opportunity. The idle speed does sometimes seem a little slow, especially between the fast idle at cold and fully warmed up. Opening the throttle very slightly smooths things out just fine, so could well be the throttle body. Appreciate the help. Regards to all. Jim

[ians]

Do the peddle test first.
And just to be clear, you don't have an ICV on your 2.6.

Breathers are definitely worth doing (according to the guide) regardless.

[Jim427]

Well guys I seem to be absolutely hopeless at this pedal test, even after watching that superb video, which explains everything so well. This old brain can't quite count fast enough, but I certainly do not get 10 flashes at any one time.
Since getting the car, and due to the cold weather, I haven't used the car much until today, when I had the opportunity to give it a good run, and a chance to wind it up a bit. On start up this morning, (very cold and frosty), everthing was fine, with no occurence of said problem and during the day it performed faultlessly, whistling up to 6000 revs with consumate ease. Really very impressive.
I think I will leave well enough alone for the time being, and see how things go. Its just like me to make things worse by dabbling. Can't help feeling that I have "jumped the gun" somewhat. I also feel that the car hasn't been used to it's full potential, and that it needs driving more, which of course will be no hardship. Pure enjoyment and lots of fun. They really are a fine machine, aren't they? Hope I haven't wasted anyone's time, and when the weather gets warmer, I will have a look at the breathers. Thanks again guys, your help and comments have been really useful and very much appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Jim    

[guncharmer]

Have a close look at the service history to see if the spark plugs changed box has been ticked in the book and if recently changed.If not,change them,might make no difference whatsoever but it will make you feel better!