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[conrad]

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

[JamesV6CDX]

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

[JamesV6CDX]

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...

[conrad]

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.

[Auto Addict]

Will not be crank sensor...everything points to the cam sensor.

Common problem on a 2.2.

We've all suffered from it.

[Auto Addict]

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.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Cam sensor.....classic symptoms

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

[JamesV6CDX]

whoops, I didn't see the 2.2 bit  

[conrad]

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?

[Auto Addict]

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.

[conrad]

Thanks again for the help, I'll see how i can get on this weekend.

[Tony H]

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

[Auto Addict]

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.

[conrad]

Crank sensor, cam sensor, please guys don't try and confuse me. I refer you to the last three words of my first post!  

[Auto Addict]

Crank sensor, cam sensor, please guys don't try and confuse me. I refer you to the last three words of my first post!  

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.