Gearbox problem Vauxhall Astra

[Catherine65]

Astra O6, 1.8 Life automatic, gone into limp mode.
Can anybody 'Please' help me out.
Car was working fine then the central locking played up and radio wouldn't turn off when key out of ignition. Partner messed about with fuses and did put them correctly, However it went into limp mode. 2 mechanics have said airflow sensor then showing problems with ECU. 2nd mechanic changed airflow sensor (I think this is what they said) but still showed up as ECU.
Just had ECU sent off and checked and it come back with NO Problems whatsoever????
Can anyone Help

[stevieturbo]

You need someone with proper diagnostic equipment to plug in and check all the modules in the car are working and alive.

There are several of these and things like radio, locking etc are controlled by these and they talk to each other and the engine ecu.

Swapping something random like the airflow meter...would be just that, random, given the symptoms.

And a cheap generic OBD reader is unlikely to be of any use here.

Without some better info to go on, fault codes etc you're flying blind here. There are just so many things that can cause random problems like this from damaged wiring, faulty modules or even just a poor battery.

And tagging onto a 4 year old post about gearboxes ?

[Catherine65]

Thank you for your reply, its the first time I have ever been on a forum and very lost. I am not mechanically minded so probably sound quite stupid. My car was fully checked with proper diagnostic equipment and they both said ECU. I found a reputable company "ECU testing ltd", who have tested and said ECU
showing no faults whatsoever, and sending it back today, I didn't understand and still don't. They have just given me some information but the man was speaking so quickly I could'nt get everything wrote down. I understand what the ECU does now, I was just expecting it to be faulty and require a rebuild or at least report a fault, as diagnostics all pointed to it. He explained that the ECU works APS cluster (Acoustic parking)?? Did'nt get this bit...
To check for splits in wiring? Check connection plugs, clean pins and make sure perfectly straight. If all above are fine then check Dashboard inst cluster, ABS, ACU... Again he lost me.
Probably about time I got to know this car a little better, thanks for your help......

[t400ble]

Yeah need to take a good look at the wiring loom

An auto electricial would be of help

[Catherine65]

Thank you, just got the manual up. learning as I go, much appreciated.

[Congletonian]

Catherine65 said:

Astra O6, 1.8 Life automatic, gone into limp mode.
Can anybody 'Please' help me out.
Car was working fine then the central locking played up and radio wouldn't turn off when key out of ignition. Partner messed about with fuses and did put them correctly, However it went into limp mode. 2 mechanics have said airflow sensor then showing problems with ECU. 2nd mechanic changed airflow sensor (I think this is what they said) but still showed up as ECU.
Just had ECU sent off and checked and it come back with NO Problems whatsoever????
Can anyone Help

Hi I have an Astra on a 09 plate and had similar thing going in to limp mode and the garage told me ECU as when plugged in it couldn't communicate with a certain part of the car, Absolute rubbish it couldn't communicate with a part as it isn't in my car from factory.

The part in question is an electrical set up/fuse box inside the drivers side of the boot behind the panelling I belief the auto models and some posher than mine models have this and it could be something to do with it getting damp or fuse blowing.
It is easy to diagnose air flow sensor but it isn't always correct as if there is a pin hole in any pipe or cracks in the inlet manifold it will cause that fault to show.

[Catherine65]

Many thanks Congletonian, will get onto this

[stevieturbo]

Catherine65 said:

Thank you for your reply, its the first time I have ever been on a forum and very lost. I am not mechanically minded so probably sound quite stupid. My car was fully checked with proper diagnostic equipment and they both said ECU. I found a reputable company "ECU testing ltd", who have tested and said ECU
showing no faults whatsoever, and sending it back today, I didn't understand and still don't. They have just given me some information but the man was speaking so quickly I could'nt get everything wrote down. I understand what the ECU does now, I was just expecting it to be faulty and require a rebuild or at least report a fault, as diagnostics all pointed to it. He explained that the ECU works APS cluster (Acoustic parking)?? Did'nt get this bit...
To check for splits in wiring? Check connection plugs, clean pins and make sure perfectly straight. If all above are fine then check Dashboard inst cluster, ABS, ACU... Again he lost me.
Probably about time I got to know this car a little better, thanks for your help......

Whoever stated first off it was an ecu fault...stay very far away from them as it would seem clear they do not have the correct diagnostic equipment.
Faulty ecu's are possible....but rare.

What ecu testing are telling you is the same as what I am telling you. There are many many control modules within the car for various items that all talk to each other. Any breakdown in that chain can cause the strangest problems and it will need proper experience and knowledge ( and the right equipment ) to try and diagnose.

It could be wiring, it could be a faulty module or component, but alas such problems are rarely easy to fix. But some monkey with a cheap code reader isnt going to do it.

And these things arent really DIY by any stretch because of the complicated nature of them.

You do need to find a reputable and experienced mechanic with the correct equipment to talk to the car...and not just something that only talks to the engine ecu