Vauxhall Zafira difficult to start
Variant: 1.9td
Model Year: 2008
Categories:
Electrics, ECU, Warnings & Lights
I have a 58 reg zafira 1.9 diesel. last week my alternator pulley broke and chewed up the fanbelt. I have had a new alternator, timing belt and fanbelt fitted but ever since my car has been very hard to start. Now the spanner light is always on and still the zafira is hard to start. I am at my wits end and my mechanic is now saying that it may be the manifold air pressure sensor.
once all this was changed my engine sounds different and has been straining to start. I serviced the car then changed the glow plugs and also the starter, still same problems. Most recently I changed the the sensor on top of the manifold at the suggestion of my mechanic. this got the light to go away but ten minutes later it was back. Now the code I am getting is ECN 034028 from the (pedal trick) meaning wrong signal is being sent by camshaft sensor. However the mechanics scanner is showing the code P100 (mass air flow).
Everything was ok before the fanbelt got chewed up so could that really be the catylist for all subsequent problems.
once all this was changed my engine sounds different and has been straining to start. I serviced the car then changed the glow plugs and also the starter, still same problems. Most recently I changed the the sensor on top of the manifold at the suggestion of my mechanic. this got the light to go away but ten minutes later it was back. Now the code I am getting is ECN 034028 from the (pedal trick) meaning wrong signal is being sent by camshaft sensor. However the mechanics scanner is showing the code P100 (mass air flow).
Everything was ok before the fanbelt got chewed up so could that really be the catylist for all subsequent problems.
Posted: Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
It could be a coincidence that something have failed since the belt work was done, but I would be more inclined to think that the work carried out is not quite right.
I hate to point the finger but.....the mechanic should deal with any issues following the completed work.
Have you used him before?
(Of course, the pulley breaking could have damaged something else, but again this should have been checked.)
I hate to point the finger but.....the mechanic should deal with any issues following the completed work.
Have you used him before?
(Of course, the pulley breaking could have damaged something else, but again this should have been checked.)
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
I have used the same mechanic for over 10 years and I know him personally too. Last week he restripped the car down and actually made three attempts to see if the timing was out but no to no avail. His scanner was showing no codes and the pedal trick was showing code 227- (I forget exact number) but it came down to the sensor which sits on top of the manifold (manifold air pressure sensor), I changed that but it is still difficult to start the car. Now the vehicle is giving code ECN 034028 and the mechanics scanner is saying P100.
I am totally flummoxed as to how get this sorted. I cant keep throwing money at it.
I am totally flummoxed as to how get this sorted. I cant keep throwing money at it.
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
It`s good to know that the mechanic is not only a friend, but has treble checked things.
I`m not too good with fault codes but maybe someone on here more qualified will shed some light on things.
Best of luck and sorry I can`t help further.
I`m not too good with fault codes but maybe someone on here more qualified will shed some light on things.
Best of luck and sorry I can`t help further.
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
Thanks Jota1978. He tried the timing belt on three different settings just in case the cogs have slipped.The same mechanic advised me against buying a Zafira but I thought I knew better.
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
Dont know why he tried the timing set up on three different settings .You should only try on one , the correct setting .Check the camshaft sensor and wiring .
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
Hi whittingehame, He made marks for lining up the belt and put on new belt according to them marks. Car just did not want to fire up normally, it took forever to start and someone suggested that due to the strands of the fanbelt that were stuck in timing belt the cogs may have slipped, so he redid the timing belt moving a tooth at a time but that did not help so he put it back where it was originally.
Will the cam sensor stop my car from starting normally. It takes five seconds to fire up most times and sometimes a lot longer. Sometimes the engine feels like it has let out a build up air after it has fired up. Also drains the battery sometimes before it fires up.
Will the cam sensor stop my car from starting normally. It takes five seconds to fire up most times and sometimes a lot longer. Sometimes the engine feels like it has let out a build up air after it has fired up. Also drains the battery sometimes before it fires up.
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
Does the engine run o.k once started ? If not and lacking power, would suggest getting compressions tested .Has the crank sensor maybe been damaged ? Timing 100% set up correctly ?
Posted Mar 24, 2013 (11 years ago)
Thanks to all for input.
As the battery kept dying out I went and got a new battery. Had the battery put in and mechanic put the scanner on again to check codes. There were no codes and the spanner light went out. So it was all down to the battery.
Am so glad that I didnt have more work done as we were getting P100 code off the scanner previously. The pedal trick on my Zafira is still producing code ECN 034028 but it is firing up perfectly and running a whole lot better. Could it be a historic code?
As the battery kept dying out I went and got a new battery. Had the battery put in and mechanic put the scanner on again to check codes. There were no codes and the spanner light went out. So it was all down to the battery.
Am so glad that I didnt have more work done as we were getting P100 code off the scanner previously. The pedal trick on my Zafira is still producing code ECN 034028 but it is firing up perfectly and running a whole lot better. Could it be a historic code?
Posted Mar 25, 2013 (11 years ago)
Good to hear car is now o.k and nothing major , thanks for update .
Posted Mar 25, 2013 (11 years ago)
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