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[Broomies Mate]

3.2 yadda yadda.

Haven't had chance to plug into the Chicken Chow Mein - But pedal test shows P0300.

Definite misfire on 1 cylinder... 5 seem to be working well.

Now - The reason for posting is thus;

I had this issue soon after I bought the car and it was COLD.  Tonight is the first night it has been cold (since purchase) and the same fault has shown itself again.

I know the battery is on it's last legs and needs replacing, but could low voltage cause this problem?

If not, it won't be until the weekend where I can get my hands dirty and check the common problems - Plugs, Coil Packs etc.

Any thoughts?

[biggriffin]

Had a similar issue, turned out the part of the coil pack inside the rubber boot had shattered and the boot was holding it all together.
new coil pack

[Broomies Mate]

Had a similar issue, turned out the part of the coil pack inside the rubber boot had shattered and the boot was holding it all together.
new coil pack

Cheers Grif - If I remove the coil-pack, is it likely to fall to pieces?

I'd be reluctant to do that until I have a replacement. 

[albitz]

If its just a split rubber boot that's the problem you should able to replace it. In fact Im sure I have some so if you find that's the problem give me a shout and I will send you one.

[chrisgixer]

Used coil pacs are something of a false economy IMO. Especially when they can be had at a factors for £70 odd if you ring round, quoting your best price so far.

Only way to tell is to pull the cp out and have a look. Oil, water, cracks etc but you know all that. Ime tick over is a bit border line on the Dbw engines so a tired battery might be enough to upset the eml. Tried Kevs battery diag guide?

[chrisgixer]

Handy tip

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90670.0

[05omegav6]

Random misfire simply means a non specific misfure, ie summat not quite right but not enough to trigger an individual cylinder code...  Is the wire still attached to the ballast resistor?

It lives behind and below the rear multiram valve, bolted to the 246 head.

The wire is brown, but most definitely NOT an earth... damhik   but water from the scuttle corrodes it at the resistor, causing it to fail.

Solution... new resistor from VX,(2.6 Vectra B ones readily available), take the cable tray cover off and follow the wire into the loom. You'll find it crimped to the main power feed from the ecu to the coil packs... cut it 2" from the crimp, and solder 8" of new wire to it (sealing with either tape or heat shrink tube). Rebuild the plug using tother end and plug into new resistor.

Don't look for the resistor or wire when the ignition is on or the engine is running, as it connects directly to the coilpack feed...

[terry paget]

Random misfire simply means a non specific misfure, ie summat not quite right but not enough to trigger an individual cylinder code...  Is the wire still attached to the ballast resistor?

It lives behind and below the rear multiram valve, bolted to the 246 head.

The wire is brown, but most definitely NOT an earth... damhik   but water from the scuttle corrodes it at the resistor, causing it to fail.

Solution... new resistor from VX,(2.6 Vectra B ones readily available), take the cable tray cover off and follow the wire into the loom. You'll find it crimped to the main power feed from the ecu to the coil packs... cut it 2" from the crimp, and solder 8" of new wire to it (sealing with either tape or heat shrink tube). Rebuild the plug using tother end and plug into new resistor.

Don't look for the resistor or wire when the ignition is on or the engine is running, as it connects directly to the coilpack feed...

Thanks for that, Al. I had never heard of a ballast resistor in this context. Is there a similar thing on the pre-facelifts? Do all cars have them?

[biggriffin]

Random misfire simply means a non specific misfure, ie summat not quite right but not enough to trigger an individual cylinder code...  Is the wire still attached to the ballast resistor?

It lives behind and below the rear multiram valve, bolted to the 246 head.

The wire is brown, but most definitely NOT an earth... damhik   but water from the scuttle corrodes it at the resistor, causing it to fail.

Solution... new resistor from VX,(2.6 Vectra B ones readily available), take the cable tray cover off and follow the wire into the loom. You'll find it crimped to the main power feed from the ecu to the coil packs... cut it 2" from the crimp, and solder 8" of new wire to it (sealing with either tape or heat shrink tube). Rebuild the plug using tother end and plug into new resistor.

Don't look for the resistor or wire when the ignition is on or the engine is running, as it connects directly to the coilpack feed...

Thanks for that, Al. I had never heard of a ballast resistor in this context. Is there a similar thing on the pre-facelifts? Do all cars have them?

never knew that. always learning.

bought my last bosch coil pack from Vauxhall world parts. Was about £78 delivered me thinks.

[Broomies Mate]

Chris, Albs, Al - Thank You so much for your replies.

I'll check everything out on Saturday.

Interestingly, I started the car tonight and it was running fine - EML still on but no missfire.  Popped to the shop (less than a mile) and no issues.  Walked out of the shop and started the car, Missfire!

I think I'm looking at coil pack or the ballast (of which I knew nothing about, special thanks to Al for that).

I'll certainly report back when I can investigate this properly.

Thanks again guys - Excellent help! 

[05omegav6]

My issue was 0300 and 0306,and was finally cured with a new loom, but not before trying coil packs, Maf sensor, throttle body, injectors (and loom), plugs, ECU and ballast resistor

The ballast resistor serves to prevent electrical interference. If you can hear a whine that increases with rpm whilst listening to the radio then it's the first place to be looking. Because it connects directly to the coilpack feed, disconnecting it might be enough to upset the current to the coilpacks, causing the 0300

[chrisgixer]

Mmmm I would expect a simple missfire to reset the light once it's restarted.

Is it worth a pedal trick again to see what else has popped up? Might just be pre cat codes though.

[Broomies Mate]

Cheers guys - Pre cat codes have been resolved since the addition of another pair of lambdas (Thanks again Albs).

I've got a funky feeling this is a water ingress issue. 

Until Saturday, I'm clutching at straws to be fair - But it's invaluable to hear from the guys in the know! 


EDIT: Pre cat, not post cat - Sorry Chris - Typing before thinking, again! 

[chrisgixer]

Cheers guys - Pre cat codes have been resolved since the addition of another pair of lambdas (Thanks again Albs).

I've got a funky feeling this is a water ingress issue. 

Until Saturday, I'm clutching at straws to be fair - But it's invaluable to hear from the guys in the know! 


EDIT: Pre cat, not post cat - Sorry Chris - Typing before thinking, again! 

Sorry, can you clarify? Lambdas replaced? Or lambdas relocated? ...to fix the pre cat codes 0420/0430

[Marks DTM Calib]

Just gave Jusme's 3.2 a check over with simiar symptoms and the spark plug gap was huge 1.8mm. Could only adjust as a temporary measure and advise replacement once we had some available so check the plugs