Automatic Vectra cuts out when slowing down

[hal3210]

My automatic 2000 Vectra 2.5 V6 Arctic Automatic occasionally conks out when slowing down. The engine cuts out and I lose control of the steering. I've also noticed that the engine management light occasionally comes on from time to time and then goes out again. The engine management light doesn't come on before the engine cuts out though.

I've been checking the service history of my car and the last service before I bought the car (carried out at a a Vauxhall specialist) mentions that the specialist checked the problem of the car cutting out and advises that the P0100 mass air flow sensor had a high voltage, that they cleared the fault code and the car was fine when road tested.

It seems that this problem has come back - can anyone kindly advice me what I should do to cure the problem. I'm taking the car to a good independent on Tuesday - any advice on what I should tell them to carry out would be greatly appreciated.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I can't speak specifically about your car as I have no experience of it, but most (but not all!) EFI cars of this vintage often have an 'idle control valve' somewhere, usually around the intake manifold.

It does exactly what it sounds like it does - it controls the engine's idle speed.

Often they become a little gunked up or ineffective - removal and cleaning or replacement may well see this fault sorted.

[anonymous-user]

Breather hoses?

http://vauxhalltech.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/vectra-...

I had a similar problem with a Mondeo, ended up replacing the hoses but it was a cheap fix.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

All together now!

Maf sensor!

Change the mad sensor ( use a good quality one, not cheap eBay jobbie) and all will be well.

Edited by Buff Mchugelarge on Saturday 26th October 22:05

[exgtt]

Take the intake pipe off and spray carb cleaner at the throttle butterfly - its probably gummed up. My 156 V6 suffered the same.

[woody68]

It is deff your idle air control valve ..located rear left top of engine as you look from the front, I use to have a pick of the engine bay of the v6 vectra but cant find it at the moment do a google of said item and you will see what it looks like ...

dead simple fix though two bolts holding it on ...unbolt and clean with carb cleaner ...have a look at vvoc.com they will have lots of advice for your car on there mate

atb Phil

Edited by woody68 on Saturday 26th October 22:30

[Froomee]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

All together now!

Maf sensor!

Change the mad sensor ( use a good quality one, not cheap eBay jobbie) and all will be well.

Edited by Buff Mchugelarge on Saturday 26th October 22:05

+1. Usually this.

[hal3210]

Wow that's brilliant, many thanks for all the fast replies. It certainly sounds as though this is probably the problem. My car has only covered 38,000 miles (the last owner used it as a train station car) so maybe the lack of use has contributed to this!

Thanks again, I'm sure my indie can sort this out.

[MitchT]

My BMW did this once and became pretty much undriveable after another mile or so. It was pinned down to a faulty camshaft sensor which was replaced and solved the issue. I had the same once more a couple of years later, occurring about ten minutes after setting off, but the problem went away immediately after I'd sat in the car with the engine running for ten minutes or so. The weather had been very damp and the car had been sat for a while, so I put it down to that.