Astra problems, lil help pls

Cybermyk

Cybermyk

Cybermyk

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My ex has an Astra Club 1600 8v T Reg. Last week her engine management light came on an the car started idling at around 1500 rpm. Someone has had a look at it for her and mentioned the power steering doesn't work either.

Could it just be the alternator/battery?
 
Unlikely - then the alternator/battery light would come on.

More likely to be a duff engine sensor. Take your pick from air metering/coolant temp/crank sensor/lambda etc. Best bet is to get it plugged in to a diagnostics machine which will give you a fault code.
 
MagicBoy said:
Unlikely - then the alternator/battery light would come on.

More likely to be a duff engine sensor. Take your pick from air metering/coolant temp/crank sensor/lambda etc. Best bet is to get it plugged in to a diagnostics machine which will give you a fault code.
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Not having seen it I'm not really sure what light is on, it could well be the battery/alternator. Last time I tried to check her brake lights she kept pressing the clutch pedal so I thought they weren't working :p

The thing that's really throwing me is the revs, why would the idle increase on low battery? You're probably right that its a sensor but I'm hopeful that it's just a simple fix.
 
The engine management light is usually a yellow one, the charging one is a red one.

Flat battery shouldn't cause higher idle speed. If it's totally flat than the ECU loses it's learned data and defaults back to factory settings, which can make the it a bit less smooth to drive while it get it's bearings again.

If the alternator is broken, the battery will stop getting a charge and the car will either refuse to start or misfire for a while then grind to a halt while driving it. No electricity = no spark.

Higher idle speed is usually something telling the engine it's colder that it really is so it does the electronic equivalent of pulling the choke out, or a duff Lambda sensor (exhaust emissions) which has the same effect.
 
Thanks guys, I reckon a trip to the dealer is her best bet then rather than anyone trying to tinker with it.

Cheers :)
 
Sounds to me as though the power steering belt has snapped. No belt = no power steering, and no power steering pump to drive = higher idle.
 
MagicBoy said:
Hasn't the Mk4 got electric power steering, hence no belt?

/Edit : could possibly indicate a failing battery...
Click to expand...

Yup hence my query about the alternator/battery. I think the EPS problem may be a red herring though and just the result of numerous starts to test the engine. I'll let you know if I find anything out :)
 
MagicBoy said:
Hasn't the Mk4 got electric power steering, hence no belt?

/Edit : could possibly indicate a failing battery...
Click to expand...

Got a 2002 MK4 astra here and not sure its 100% electric as theres a pot for the power steering fluid to the right of the engine at the back - make sure this is topped up.
 
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