Erratic idling problem, when engine heats up...

[JohnV]

Hi everyone, new here...
I am from South Africa and actually drive a Opel Corsa B 1999 1.6 16v SOHC.(Identical to the ECOTEC 1.2 SOHC but with different airbox and no Hot air tube/EGR valve)
I am hoping maybe someone here can help me!

Anyway to the problem with my car, about a month ago I had this problem where the engine would cut out and the car just wouldn\'t start again (Like the car had fueling problems, before it stalls it would backfire,ect..).

So I changed the fuel filter, oil & filter, air filter and spark plugs (basically a service) and also made sure there are no moisture in any electrical plugs. Which didn\'t fix the problem...

Next up I took it to a Opel garage where they replaced the Fuel Pump relay, along with a 1 year warrenty that the problem is fixed.

Before they replaced it the car would stall and not start again unless you put a lot of effort in (not even jumping would start it...). But now every 2 or 3 day\'s(in interval) when I am sitting in traffic and the car just reaches it\'s operating temp. (90 degree\'s Celcuis +-) the idling would suddenly start going very,very erratic meaning it jumps from 0RPM !!! to 1000rpm like it\'s stalling. It\'ll do this for about a minute, then stall completely. After which I startup the car(easily by turning the key) and it\'s fine!

I took it back to the garage and we ran the car for about 1 hour with Tech2 computer plugged in, but the thing kept reporting there are no major error codes stored and the guy couldn\'t replicate the problem(the car would just keep switching on the cooling fan(every 15mins or so.) and sit there idling).
They didn\'t charge me for all this testing but I get the idea they think I am taking them for a ride...

What could it be? The car also has a perfect service history with that garage along with my Oil changes every 7500KM.

LOL sorry for the novel, but the problem is really pissing me OFF!

[markymicro]

I would need to look at the car but i live in the uk so there isn\'t much i can do sorry!! It could be a million and one things but it doesn\'t sound like an electrical problem. Have you had a compession test done? but make sure you get it done when the engine is hot. Sorry i cant be much use! Mark

[JohnV]

Thanks, I\'ll try that.

In South Africa finding someone who really knows what they are doing(and willing to do it) is like trying to find a needle in a haystack really :\'(

[lekejan]

Hi John

Did you have any luck with your idling problems? I have the same issue and also took it to the Opel dealer ext. Nobody could find the problem.
I seriously don’t have an idea what the cause is. I changed the Air Temperature Sensor, and my car didn’t give the problem for about a week. I changed the Idling Control Value and it didn’t give the problem for also for about a week. I serviced the vehicle and the same story.
When the idling is erratic I can ref the engine up to 6000RPM and the erratic (hunting) will go away. Also when I drive the car while with this problem it has no performance. We have checked the following thus far that I can remember:
ICV
Air Flow Sensor
Battery
Spark plugs
Fuel pressure
Distributor (coil pack)
Oil
Throttle body (clean)
Diagnostic

The only thing left is the injectors,?

Any advice would be appreciated

[jayybull]

does ur car have a hot air temperature? it could be be that
if the car is not tellin the ecu the air going in isnt hot enough then it will make engine run lumpy, this is what i was told about my c20xe which could be the same for u. im jus guessing,

[lekejan]

I think I replaced that, if I am correct it’s the censor that goes in the airflow pipe connected between the air filter and the throttle body. The diagnostic picked it up as negative somewhat degrees.
Do you think it could be fused parking bulb?
Thanks for the assistance, much appreciated