Any auto guru's in the house?

[bub2006]

I don't think I've majorly broken the vectra but thought I'd better seek advice. The vectra seems a bit jumpy on gearchanges,only started doing it this morning. No auto warning lights on or eml lights on. Seems to be not wanting to change down and struggling up hills due to same reason foot to the floor doesn't warrant a quick response either. It thinks about it then engages kickdown but only drops one cog instead of two. The atf fluid seems like it's above full but only slightly and been like that since I bought it. Seems ok downhill just not under load. Could it even be a spark plug starting to give up and causing a small misfire? If I pull out of a junction with foot down it seems to just keep revs about 3k,flutters a bit then takes off. Seems ok above 4k too but that's detrimental to my fuel consumption! Thanks folks

[Sloth in a bowl]

It's simple. The Citroen has hamstrung the Vauxhall in the hope that you will sell that one instead.

[cort16]

Try unplugging the maf to see if it makes any difference. My auto 3 series did what you described and when I unplugged the maf it ran much better if not exactly smooth. I stuck a scrappy MAF on it and it fixed the problem.

 

On modern cars the maf feeds information to the gearbox to help it decide how quickly it needs to stir the porridge. Failing that it sounds more like an engine power issue than gearbox issue. I could be talking shite however.

[bub2006]

The citroen needs to learn it has to go! Will try maf sensor to see if it helps. As I said though,I've got no eml on or anything

[oldcars]

I would check maf too, the shuma was a bit like this until i cleaned it. Its a manual but had the hesitation yours does.

[bub2006]

Right. Maf sensor disconnected and I've got better pick up but when I give it some throttle it seems as of its not responding. It feels as if it's trying to go but can't then after a few seconds it takes off like a scalded cat.

[bub2006]

Right another quick update. Just looked in hbol and it says to check atf when engine running. I've checked it on the hot side of dipstick and it's below minimum but when off its over. Is the Haynes correct in saying to check when running? If so I may found the issue

[alf892]

Haynes in good information shocker!

[bub2006]

Topped up,maf on and it still feels like it's missing. Put foot down a bit and it used to change straight away, now it bogs abit then changes and it's as if it can't decide if to change or not

[cort16]

With the MAF off mine still run like shite but it went from not being able to move to being drivable but with really clunky gear changes. It possibly just it's not reached that point of failure yet. I'd give it a clean out and see if makes any difference.

[bub2006]

I'll try maf off again now it's had a bit of a top up of atf and will report back. Thanks

[bub2006]

Sorted. Pulled all plugs out,checked all leads etc to notice a small tiny vacuum pipe off. Had a look for where it went and found a perished rubber on a control box. Bit of insulation tape and the old girl is back in battle!

[tooSavvy]

"..Bit of insulation tape and the old girl is back in battle!.."

 

NEVER leave the house without ladies tights or......^^^

 

 

TS

[320touring]

simple fix ftw!

[bub2006]

That many bloody pipes and hoses on this. I'm sure there ain't this many on a manual!

[beko1987]

Lucky swerve there then!

[bub2006]

I must say I was quiet relieved to realise it wasn't major beko

[bub2006]

Grrrrrrr fucking twatting fucksticks. It's started playing silly buggers again this mornin

[beko1987]

Whole pipe perished?

[bub2006]

It's plastic with rubber on end. Covered whole rubber boot in tape to see if it would help, no such luck. Still no eml or auto trans failure warning on dash so cant be so bad. Just a pain in the arse.

[colino]

Bear in mind that few MAFs fire up the warning light other than for the electrical disconnection (when you disconnect it to see if the car improves!) and their failure is often only pointed to by other, seemingly unrelated, P codes coming up.  A £25 ebay MAF might just cure your ills.

[Bren]

A diagnostic check will save time and £££££.

 

Imagine lashing out on a recon auto box because the spark plug gaps were too big?

[cort16]

Sell it and buy one of the many Rover 75's on offer on this site.

[beko1987]

Have you licked the vectra's eyeballs yet?

[bub2006]

No eyeballs been linked yet and no trains or morgans are involved. Tried my scanner but it won't read it. Must try the paperclip thing I think I've seen. With maf disconnected it's still being a bitch this afternoon. Got better but now getting worse. Still no eml or auto fault lights

[cort16]

You've got no EML with the MAF disconnected? Not being funny but does your EML have a bulb in it as with the maf unplugged it should light up like a christmas tree.

[bub2006]

Right just to Try make ut abit clearer for diagnosis. When the car is first started up it drops to 500 then picks up to 800/900. Feels a bit lumpy at idle but no deviation on rev counter. If I drive car just feathering throttle it's ok but if I try to climb hills,put it under load or make quick getaway from junctions it seems to hesitate.

[bub2006]

You've got no EML with the MAF disconnected? Not being funny but does your EML have a bulb in it as with the maf unplugged it should light up like a christmas tree.

With maf disconnected the eml does come on and it comes on with ignition and same for auto fault light

[bub2006]

Paperclip test done,no faults at all. How peculiar!

[colino]

Without using dealer spec diagnostics, you would check when the car was last serviced (spark-plugs seem fit and forget items now), check all connections and vacuum lines, check the ecu is getting a consistent earth, and then on experience, check the MAF (if no dramatic, consistent difference when it is on default settings, it's not it) and then change the coil pack and plugs.