Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[edthomas247]

Good evening all,

I seem to have a regular fault, at least once a day with no regular pattern and it goes a bit like this:

I put key in the ignition and start the car as usual. If the car takes a little longer to turn over and fire up, I can guarantee that the warning light shaped like a car with a spanner running through it will not go out with the rest of the ignition lights. The digital display will then read "Automatic Gearbox Check". If I try to drive the car in this mode then it feels like it wants to stall. Before driving off I simply turn of the engine and re-start the car and it is always ok.

Does anyone know what could be causing this fault. It can happen at anytime no matter what the weather conditions etc and it only ever happens on start up.

Many thanks

[377]

I suspect a paperclip / pedal test for gearbox codes would help here

[edthomas247]

Thanks for your swift reply Richard, but being completely novicy about this sort of thing, what is a paperclip/pedal test and where would be the best place to get this done. Is it a main dealer or specialist job.

Many thanks

[geoffr70]

I believe this might be what you're looking for, although as said in the guide, it might not work on your car.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687

Have a look through the maintenance section while you're on, there's lots of helpful stuff.

[Radar]

Don't think you can paperclip the 2.2. I had a similar thing happen on mine and it ended up needing a new throttle body. I would recommend cleaning the breathers as described in the maintenance guide and if you post your location there might be someone closeby who could read some codes for you.

[Varche]

Hi, It is a way of flashing stored engine codes out of the engine ECU. older cars use a bent paperclip hence the name newer models use the foot pedal

I think the method is descibed in one of the guides on the forum.http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687 Well worth having a look through them. Omega afficinados check them regulary as they give warning of problems.

However gearbox faults I believe can only be read by a tech2 code reader (the same sort of kit that a VX dealer has but they cahrge somnething like £50 just to connect it to the socket under the steering wheel). The good news is that some members on the forum have one . You may be able to get someone to have a look at it - maybe at a meet.


Tow other thoughts. If you haven't done any maintenance like cleaning your idle control valve ICV then that is easy and well worth doing.  Do a search on that.

Finally does your auto gearbox change gear smoothly or is there sometimes a solid CLUNK as it changes?

[Entwood]

I suspect a paperclip / pedal test for gearbox codes would help here

Gearbox codes can ONLY be read by a reader, and not all readers at that. I have the maxscan and it will NOT read gearbox codes.

I "think" that Opelscan and Tech2 are the only ones that read gearbox codes RELIABLY



and the 2.2 can't use the paperclip or pedal trick anyway .. even for engine codes 

[Andy H]

Have a read of What is the Paperclip Test?

You won't be able to read the gearbox codes with the paperclip trick but that probably won't matter.

The gearbox needs a good rpm signal from the engine ECU, it sounds as if your starting problem is confusing the gearbox ECU.

Do the paperclip trick and post up the results. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a code 19 in there somewhere.
[edit]Oops. As said above the 2.2 is reputed to be unresponsive to the pedal trick (but there was a post a year or two back which implied that some might respond).

Poor or non starting on the 2.2 can be caused by the cam sensor but I am not recommending  randomly changing things without getting the codes read first[/edit]

[Kneepad]

Good evening all,

I seem to have a regular fault, at least once a day with no regular pattern and it goes a bit like this:

I put key in the ignition and start the car as usual. If the car takes a little longer to turn over and fire up, I can guarantee that the warning light shaped like a car with a spanner running through it will not go out with the rest of the ignition lights. The digital display will then read "Automatic Gearbox Check". If I try to drive the car in this mode then it feels like it wants to stall. Before driving off I simply turn of the engine and re-start the car and it is always ok.

Does anyone know what could be causing this fault. It can happen at anytime no matter what the weather conditions etc and it only ever happens on start up.

Many thanks

This could be a sign that the crank sensor is failing, which in turn could be giving an unreliable signal to the ECU and possible unsychronized signal to the gearbox.

Or so i have heard.   

[edthomas247]

Thanks folks, it sounds as though I should get someone to read my gearbox codes. My location is swadlincote, South Derbyshire if anyone can recommend someone.

PS, The gearbox changes smoothly with no solid clunks.

Thanks again

[davethediver]

Good evening all,

I seem to have a regular fault, at least once a day with no regular pattern and it goes a bit like this:

I put key in the ignition and start the car as usual. If the car takes a little longer to turn over and fire up, I can guarantee that the warning light shaped like a car with a spanner running through it will not go out with the rest of the ignition lights. The digital display will then read "Automatic Gearbox Check". If I try to drive the car in this mode then it feels like it wants to stall. Before driving off I simply turn of the engine and re-start the car and it is always ok.

Does anyone know what could be causing this fault. It can happen at anytime no matter what the weather conditions etc and it only ever happens on start up.

Many thanks

This could be a sign that the crank sensor is failing, which in turn could be giving an unreliable signal to the ECU and possible unsychronized signal to the gearbox.

Or so i have heard.   

Most unlikely on a 2.2 maybe the CAM sensor (otherway round on the V6's to the fourpots)

To the OP maybe worth seeing if you can get hold of The Red Baron im sure hes in Burton so not that far away not sure if he has a code reader but think he does.

Failing that have a word with Elite Pete or Daz both pretty close to you

[Kneepad]

Most unlikely on a 2.2 maybe the CAM sensor (otherway round on the V6's to the fourpots)
 

Well spotted Dave, I stand corrected.   

[377]

I suspect a paperclip / pedal test for gearbox codes would help here

Gearbox codes can ONLY be read by a reader, and not all readers at that. I have the maxscan and it will NOT read gearbox codes.

I "think" that Opelscan and Tech2 are the only ones that read gearbox codes RELIABLY



and the 2.2 can't use the paperclip or pedal trick anyway .. even for engine codes 

Ooops... sorry for giving out slightly duff info there. I was under the impression that the gearbox could be read in this manner....  Every day is a school day 

[feeutfo]

2.2 can only be read via code reader, pedal and paperclip test do not work on this engine.

And in any case only reads engine ecu.

Code read to confirm but suspect cam sensor mostly on the 4pots and is known to upset the gearbox. But that's not to say there is not a box issue as well...?

...can't see the box causing the starting issue....

[fed up]

Hi,

I've a 2.2 cd 2001 and the Paper clip test don't work I've tried it, beleive me. I've been plagued with engine management lights and limp mode. The best thing I can suggest is go on eBay and buy a code reader. I bought one for 20 quid and I've used it 4 times. A garage will charge 20-30 quid to read and clear the codes. This will then tell you your fault. Good luck.