Car Cutting Out [Solved] Annoying Light [Solved]

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 01 Jun 2009, 13:37

Was just hoping that maybe someone here has experienced this.

One of the vehicles I drive is a '97 Opel Corsa 1.3i, with about 90 000Km on the clock. About 2 years ago that orange engine management light would randomly flash on and off. So I took it in to the nearest Opel dealer. They did their tests and whatever and said all is fine. So for 2 years I have just ignored it.

About a week ago the car now just randomly cuts out whenever your slowing down for something. I took it back to another mechanic who has one of those car diagnostic computer things and no errors were found.

I'm wondering if that orange light and the car now cutting out aren't somehow related. I'm scared if I don't fix whatever it is now, something expensive will need replacing later. But nobody I've dealt with can give me an answer.

Thanks

EDIT: Spelling correction fixed as requested

Post by **Stuart** » 01 Jun 2009, 13:39

don't really know what the problem is, but i would NOT have just lived with a flashing red light for two years!

opel ftl

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 01 Jun 2009, 13:39

Koko_Lion, i had a corsa that did a similar thing.... turned out to be the airflow meter on the intake manifold.... (was dirty)

cost about R600 to fix

*edit* as for the orange light, that a normal opel occurrence... my kadett does the same thing every now and again... its only supposed to be a worry if it stays on permanently,

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 01 Jun 2009, 13:45

Interesting, cause I did have a Simota Cone Filter in that car for some time and I did travel a lot of dirt roads.

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 01 Jun 2009, 13:46

then it may well be your problem... cone filters are not very good at filtering... LOL

Post by **Stuart** » 01 Jun 2009, 14:54

Firestrm wrote:*edit* as for the orange light, that a normal opel occurrence... my kadett does the same thing every now and again... its only supposed to be a worry if it stays on permanently,

if all else fails, remove the globe.

doo_much · Post by **doo_much** » 01 Jun 2009, 15:03

Stuart wrote:
Firestrm wrote:*edit* as for the orange light, that a normal opel occurrence... my kadett does the same thing every now and again... its only supposed to be a worry if it stays on permanently,
if all else fails, remove the globe.

.

You moonlight as my mechanic don't you? Had that done to me once....

Koko_Lion,
I had the same problem with my old Mazda, turned out to be the HT leads. Looked like Guy Fawkes in there if you opened the bonnet at night!

Whatever it is will probably cause big damage in the long term.
Best bet is to take it back into the shop - if you have a reputable one around.

Frozenfireside · Post by **Frozenfireside** » 01 Jun 2009, 16:07

Find the filter.Remove it.Clean it.Put it back.

Then go from there.

Scavenger · Post by **Scavenger** » 01 Jun 2009, 17:36

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Frozenfireside · Post by **Frozenfireside** » 01 Jun 2009, 17:43

close all the windows and hit clutch+alternator+start engine

Sojourn · Post by **Sojourn** » 01 Jun 2009, 17:59

They did there tests and whatever

there = There is alot of baboons on this forum.
their = Their cars are not working thus they will be walking.

Apologies, just trying to fix a pet hate of mine.

Hman · Post by **Hman** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:24

1. Check and clean the airflow meter as mentioned.

2. Check your spark plug cables, do this by taking one spark plug cable, inserting a long screwdriver into it and hold it about 1mm away from the engine (any metal part). If you see a spark between the screwdriver, the cable is fine. Repeat on all cables. If one doesn't spark, replace the set.

3. Check for any wires that might under deceleration move forward and short out somewhere.

4. When you slow down and the car cuts out, is the clutch engaged or not? Is your valve timing correct? Theoretically if your valve timing is a bit ahead and you slow down with the clutch engaged the engine might suffer a "backfire" into the intake manifold causing the engine to cut out.

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:28

Hman,

welkom terug mnr.....

solid advice there..... koko good luck man

Hman · Post by **Hman** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:30

Blanks... I mean thanks

Scavenger · Post by **Scavenger** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:43

Sojourn wrote: there = There are a lot of baboons on this forum.

There we go

I assume that was on purpose though?

Synthesis · Post by **Synthesis** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:48

A few things to check out with your problem which is common on the corsas so listen up:

First get yourself a can of electrical cleaner (Or carb cleaner) I prefer the cans of dedicated electrical connector cleaner, not sure what it's called so excuse my explanation. Anything in your engine bay that can be unplugged, unplug it and spray it, I mean, like it's a zombie cockroach. Don't be shy. Let it dry a bit and stick it back.
I do this every few months and it makes a difference, really. idles smoother and rides smoother.

1. Firestrm is right. Airflow meter. ESPECIALLY after putting on a cone filter, I battled for a couple days to get rid of the light after putting on my cone filter. You have to adjust and make sure the airflow meter fits perfectly. clean it out properly 'cos they get all greasy and dirty. Just unplug it and give it a good cleaning with petrol / alcohol or whatever. let it dry and put it back properly. If it's a custom hole in your pipe like I did, you may need to take some silicon to seal it properly. Clean your filter and make sure it's not leaking anywhere. If it is, get another filter and a new rubber reducer (which the filter should come with) Otherwise go to a local scrapyard and search the banged up corsas there for another one. I got one and the dude wasnt' sure what it was so he said I could have it.

2. ICV (Idle control valve) These things are small but PRICEY. Worst part is, because it's electrical and expensive, if you buy one and it's not the problem you won't get it exchanged. So rather find another corsa of a friend who's willing to exchange for a drive around the block. It comes off easily so don't worry. Luckily I could do this with someone I knew which did turn out to be one of my problems so I could safely go buy a new one knowing mine was stuffed.

3. MAF sensor (Mass Air Flow) This won't cause problems with the car starting up, just VERY uneven idling. I had mine rewired 'cos they become loose. Again, see if you can't get one from a scrapyard. Then get it on with the cleaner I mentioned above.

4. A common overlooked problem: Your keys immobiliser. Seriously, I had a faulty one and not one person could tell me this until a backyard dodgy guy just told me to go check it out and vwala. problem sorted out. This symptom is your car jus not switching on or it goes dead at a robot fairly often for no other reason.

Check google for diagrams or what things look like I have mentioned if you're not sure. But anyway, good luck and go sign up on http://www.opelownersforum.co.za/forum/ there's great help there and a nice community.

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 02 Jun 2009, 12:32

I think the problem is solved. I haven't been driving for very long, so can't say for sure. Light is gone, no more cut outs.

I had a very good look around in the engine, unplugging and cleaning every little sensor, plug etc. Then I noticed right behind the air intake manifold, I thin black pipe that goes to the engine block from the manifold was worn about 90% through. Taped it up to create a seal vacuum again and bingo! Problem solved (So far).

I have booked the car in to have a semi-service anyway and told them to inspect and replace any pipes, cables that look damaged.

Thanks guys,

Synthesis, I bookmarked that site, might definitely come in handy some day

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 21 Jan 2011, 00:44

The light came back after a week from the above post, just ignored it. Luck just fixed it recently.

Was the front loader. Removed it to give it a good clean out. Reconnected it and no more flashing light. Must have been a loose connection causing the light to go nuts.

Last thing I would have expected but its fixed at least.

garp · Post by **garp** » 21 Jan 2011, 16:41

You know when I first read this title, I thought you had annoying light in your car that you wanted to cut out

Noob Moment...

THE_STIG · Post by **THE_STIG** » 21 Jan 2011, 20:55

Koko_Lion wrote:The light came back after a week from the above post, just ignored it. Luck just fixed it recently.

Was the front loader. Removed it to give it a good clean out. Reconnected it and no more flashing light. Must have been a loose connection causing the light to go nuts.

Last thing I would have expected but its fixed at least.

Yea modern cars have these problems....my 1999 C180 had a similar problem but that was caused by a dead Mass air flow sensor which came to 2k because it contains traces of gold and platinum (hey the car has 278 000 on the clock and this is the only real problem it has ever had)

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