Ask a Shiter

[SiC]

2002 (51) Vauxhall Astra G 1.6 8v manual, 87k miles, think engine code is Z16SE.

 

Has codes as follows:

 

1) P0340 (cam sensor)

2) P1405 (EGR valve)

3) P0335 (no rpm signal/intermittent - crank sensor)

 

Codes can be cleared but all three come back quickly.

 

Car starts from cold then dies if you don't feather the throttle to keep it running, ok after running for a couple of mins or so. Can hesitate quite badly during normal driving but sometimes drives fine for a bit. Rev counter seems to jump occasionally when sitting with ignition on but engine off.

 

Looked at wiring to cam/crank sensors. Seems ok so intend to replace both sensors. EGR valve has been removed and blanked off, intend to replace valve. Thermostat also stuck open so will sort that. Thermostat is behind the cambelt so plan on putting a Renault 5 'stat in the top hose, common practice on these it seems.

 

Any further thoughts on the above?

 

Many thanks!

Actually thinking about it we had similar on our Z16XE (the 16v engine). Was it like this?

[Video]

 

That ended up being the EGR valve. Even blanked off it still did it. Notice how it was always around roughly the same time it nearly stalls. Turns out that if the EGR sticks, the ECU gets confused by it's incorrect position and drops the revs. Also did it with it disconnected. I believe they fixed that in a software update at the time.

 

The cheap EGRs had a massive tendancy to fail very quickly too. Either brand new OEM or known good genuine second hand part.

[SiC]

Oh the crank and cam sensors are known problem parts on them too.

[mrbenn]

Thanks SiC. The EGR has been blanked off but has not had any software update done to tell the ECU about this. Current plan is to replace the EGR valve with a new one.

 

I think replace cam and crank sensors plus EGR valve with decent parts, or known good used, would be a good starting point here.

 

The engine itself actually sounds very sweet, and there are no rattles or clunks from interior or suspension so it would be nice to save this car if possible. A friend has taken it on from a family member, before that it was owned by a neighbour. The last few years have seen it only used locally and it now needs some TLC. Plus points - it had a clutch fairly recently and the a/c compressor clicked on when tried yesterday!

 

ETA: It seemed to idle quite well when warm tbh, better than shown in your video, though with the thermostat sticking open how warm the engine actually was is another matter....

[sierraman]

Try cleaning the connector to the ECU if it’s the one behind the bumper. Disconnect the battery though. If you’ve gone through a puddle, could have caused damp in the connection. Clean it with proper electric cleaner though.

[Timewaster]

eBay tat has thrown up a Ford Bantam.

South African Escort MK4 pick up.

 

The picture shows a bench seat with a little cut out for the gear lever.

 

What is the handbrake arrangement?

Anyone every come across one?

 

I've seen one at a show but never closer up.

[anonymous user]

Probably an umbrella handbrake

 

Edited to add, I knew I'd driven something like that, but remember now that it was a Ford P100 pickup and that definitely had a dash mounted/umbrella handbrake.

[puddlethumper]

Gearbox will almost certainly be a BE1/5 (Reverse next to first). From memory the van & estate both had the 4.06:1 final drive ratio, the saloon had the 3.8:1 ratio fitted with the typical diesel set of ratios.

Dunno mate, mine has reverse bottom left next to second and fifth top right next to third.

[D Spares & Tyres]

My 405 has a slightly iffy drivers door lock (because Peugeot).  When you unlock you often need to turn it a bit then turn it again before the central locking catches.  A couple of times it has really failed to work and I've had to climb in through the passenger door. 

 

Today I tried to fix it and dismantled the doorcard, access was still crap so I applied a small cable tie to a pivot that appeared loose (to no effect) and sprayed lots of chain lube type spray which appeared to help a bit in that it now doesn't feel like the key might snap.  Unfortunately the door pin came off the threaded wire wotsit, it goes back on but just pulls off if pulled up to try and unlock the door.  Does anyone know a way to fix it back on?  I could do with an extra one too as the passenger side pin was missing when I bought the car.  An actual fix for the locking would also be handy.

I have tried and failed many times with those hateful things. Once they have been apart they never work again in my hamfisted experience!

[Timewaster]

Yep. 405 lock buttons are disposable as far as I am aware.

Probably obsolete from Peugeot.

 

Helpful.

[Eddie Honda]

Unfortunately the door pin came off the threaded wire wotsit, it goes back on but just pulls off if pulled up to try and unlock the door. Does anyone know a way to fix it back on?

Aye Rich, there are two methods.

 

1 - The official method.

 

The lock lifter button is coloured to the interior of the car:

 

 

This is in turn attached to a clip:

 

 

Which breaks. If it is still available from Pug/Cit then it's part number 9159.54. Used on 405 ph1 & 2, 806 and Citroen Evasion.

 

http://forum-auto.caradisiac.com/pole-technique/mecanique-electronique/sujet431608.htm

 

2. Autoshite method.

 

Gut a chocolate block connector.

 

 

http://www.forum-405.com/t26166-tuto-reparer-les-boutons-de-verrouillage-des-portes

 

(Having typed that all out, I've a feeling I've answered this question before???)

 

Edit to add:

 

Looked up Pug Servicebox and they are showing at a mere 50 eurocent each including Irish VAT (23%) from the dealer. Couldn't log into the Pug Servicebox account with Autoshite credentials as it came up with "Your country is not configured, please contact your administrator. ([email protected])" bollocks. Logged into Citroen Servicebox with Autoshite credentials and it was quoting a whopping 89p each inc UK VAT. That's twice the bloody price! They really are farting in your general direction. Also all the buttons and surrounds are showing NFP, so down the scrappy for them.

 

If you want me to get you some, I can post them with the other stuff.

[dozeydustman]

Dunno mate, mine has reverse bottom left next to second and fifth top right next to third.

 

You mean like this?

 

   1 3 5

R 2 4

 

Never seen a FWD Pug with that gate pattern. 

[D Spares & Tyres]

Aye Rich, there are two methods.1 - The official method.The lock lifter button is coloured to the interior of the car:fgc504s-960.jpgThis is in turn attached to a clip:RemKompKrokobil.jpgWhich breaks. If it is still available from Pug/Cit then it's part number 9159.54. Used on 405 ph1 & 2, 806 and Citroen Evasion.http://forum-auto.caradisiac.com/pole-technique/mecanique-electronique/sujet431608.htm2. Autoshite method.Gut a chocolate block connector.p1020213.jpghttp://www.forum-405.com/t26166-tuto-reparer-les-boutons-de-verrouillage-des-portes(Having typed that all out, I've a feeling I've answered this question before???)Edit to add:Looked up Pug Servicebox and they are showing at a mere 50 eurocent each including Irish VAT (23%) from the dealer. Couldn't log into the Pug Servicebox account with Autoshite credentials as it came up with "Your country is not configured, please contact your administrator. ([email protected])" bollocks. Logged into Citroen Servicebox with Autoshite credentials and it was quoting a whopping 89p each inc UK VAT. That's twice the bloody price! They really are farting in your general direction. Also all the buttons and surrounds are showing NFP, so down the scrappy for them.If you want me to get you some, I can post them with the other stuff.

Fantastic, I'll try that. I'm embarrassed that I've never thought of that!

[artdjones]

A friend has a Pug 307 Hdi CC of about 2007 flavour and the brake pedal occasionally goes very hard with poor braking. Going from the description I assume lack of servo, has anyone had any experience of similar on Peugeots? Vacuum pump?I haven't seen the car yet so am relying on Chinese whispers for fault description.

I had similar on a 05 C5 1.6 hdi,which eventually stopped working altogether.The vacuum pump had been passing engine oil into the servo.About ½ a pint of oil was sloshing around inside the old servo.

[artdjones]

Planning to put Hydraflush in the GSA today. (Managed to leave the Haynes book of lies at the house!)

 

Trying to depressurised the system - have undone this bolt :

IMG_20190119_112607.jpg

 

But car is not dropping.

 

Can anyone advise if I'm missing something/the correct procedure please?

 

Thanks

I've always had BXs and Xantias,but my father in law gave me a GS manual and the procedure in there is to put the car in high,then release the bolt head on the regulator.(Not too far, there's a ball behind it.)The front end should drop.Then return the lever to normal position and allow the rear to stabilise.Finally, put the lever back to high, and the rear should drop.If that doesn't work, blame Mr.Kenneth Ball,the author of Autobook 861.

[puddlethumper]

You mean like this?

 

   1 3 5

R 2 4

 

Never seen a FWD Pug with that gate pattern. 

Nah, you're right and I'm a twat. My excuse is I've only had it 18 years and my memory is, erm, half past three.

[Eddie Honda]

I've always had BXs and Xantias,but my father in law gave me a GS manual

I had to re-read that. At first I thought your father in law was extremely generous...

[catsinthewelder]

Thanks Eddie,  I found the missing passenger side pin earlier which has spent 2 years in the doorbin narrowly avoiding the hoover to the point that I knew it was part of the car but I'd forgotten which part.

 

I will attempt the genius plan B first but it is wonderful to know that there is an Irish solution of some sort.

[artdjones]

I had to re-read that. At first I thought your father in law was extremely generous...

He was quite generous,but he scrapped his GS a few months before I started going out with my wife.He replaced it with a Daytona Yellow MK3 Cortina 1600L!????

[loserone]

De-icer.

 

What is the point? I've never used it, but it just sounds like a gimmick to sell aerosols

[Guest Hooli]

De-icer.

 

What is the point? I've never used it, but it just sounds like a gimmick to sell aerosols

 

it turns an even layer of ice into a thick stoggy layer at the bottom of the screen that refreezes so thick you can't scrape it off at all.

[Bobthebeard]

De-icer.

What is the point? I've never used it, but it just sounds like a gimmick to sell aerosols

Had to take Mrs Beard to the local rail station at silly o'clock this morning. Car frozen solid. De-icer deployed and did nothing apart from making a frozen mess. Car started and run for ten minutes did the trick.

[Crispian_J_Hotson]

My motors just get a bucket of cold water chucked over them. Two if it's below -5. 

[steveo3002]

yeah i go with some luke warm water sloshed over it ....works well and free 

[sierraman]

Likely battery life of one of those Convoy led flash lights you can get on eBay for a tenner or so?

[D Spares & Tyres]

Why bother with any of that? I just leave it running and go in for a cuppa.

[Snipes]

Why bother with any of that? I just leave it running and go in for a cuppa.

Do you know it's illegal to leave a running vehicle unattended "on the highway"?

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Why bother with any of that? I just leave it running and go in for a cuppa.

 

I grew up in Sunderland fella - you'd not be returning to a car. Old man had his SRi stolen from the gated back yard - with 4 of us in the house at the time. They even let the bloody dog back into the kitchen while stealing it!

Warmish water and don't even BLINK while it's running and open!

[bramz7]

 

Is this what I fear it is?

 

I've done about 700 miles in a fortnight so it's not been lightly used.

Engine fan occasionally coming on as well, despite the temp gauge showing normal levels. It came on this morning but not on the way back....

[mrbenn]

Is that the E46? They're very prone to mayonnaise in the winter. Brother's 325 and colleague's 318 both quite bad for it, particularly the 318 and that gets a decent trip every day.

[bramz7]

Indeed it is. Its running fine, and I always make a decent effort to let it warm up for 5 or more mins before my short commute, so it's roughly at temperature when I turn it off.

 

It's not blasting out white smoke either so maybe it is just 'doing an E46'.