Vauxhall Vectra ECU Problems - any Vauxhall experts here?

[Toonchi]

Hi, I have noticed some issues with my Vectra recently so took it to my mechanics for a diagnostic, which came back with the following codes:

Po621 - Generator lamp control circuit malfunction
Po606 - Electronic Control Unit malfunction

As my mechanics don't do electrical work, they recommended I take it to Vauxhall or a garage that specialises in car electrics.

However, before doing so, would be grateful if anyone here could shed some light as to how serious the above could be.

One of the problems I have been having is that the main headlights seem to work intermittently, although the lamps are definitely not burnt. Obviously this could relate to the first code above?

Another problem is that although the car starts, sometimes it takes a while for it to start (i.e. the engine turns for a while then it finally starts, or it starts but immediately cuts out so needs to be started again, or I need to press down on the gas to make sure it doesn't cut out after starting). I should point out that thankfully, I have not yet had any problems of the engine cutting out whilst I am driving, and this problem does not seem to be related to whether the engine is hot or cold.

My air con stopped working about two weeks ago and my rear wiper also stopped working (not sure if these are related to the ECU?)

If anyone can offer any advice I would be grateful. I am hoping I don't have to replace the ECU as I cannot fork out that kind of cash at the moment, as I've heard it costs over £1000 to replace them (??!!), which is pointless given the car is only worth a bit more than that.

By the way, it's a 2005 Vectra 1.9CDTI.

Thank you.

[GoNz0]

621 is a duff alternator.

606 could be a minor even such as the check engine light triggered or something more serious, either way you need to go to someone who and read stored error codes.

[Toonchi]

Thanks GoNz0, what do you mean by duff alternator?

[GoNz0]

you may need a new one.

[technodean]

Without having an auto data handy at the moment, with a quick google, Po621 refures to an alternator problem, so check its the right ampage for the car and put a multi meter on it and see if its giving a good charge. don't know about the Po606 as it could be caused by your first fault. As for starting, I gather your glow plug light is going out after 2 secs instead of over 10. So if this is the case, 1 of the plugs have gone down and the ecu is terminating the power to the plugs. Changing the plugs on a 1.9cdti is a night mare, even my mate who's a mechanic won't change his or anyone else's. But from memory, on the right hand side of the engine, there is a sensor for the glow plug, if you pull the wire off before you try to start and and then start your car as normal i.e give it ten seconds for the plugs to warm up it will start as this is the sensor that controls the timing and power to the plugs, once started plug the wire back in to stop the plugs from glowing.

edit, its taken me so long to answer, gonzo beat me to it lol.

[filbert]

I'd be checking the battery and connections first.

[Toonchi]

Hi all,

Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you, but thanks for all the advice. Gratefully received and read.

Best wishes.

[Martin Lampe]

I have a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 estate 2001 which has knocking noises from the rear end, taken it to a garage who don't know what the noise is. not the exhaust so any ideas anyone?

[bytejunkie]

you;'ve taken it to a garage who dont know what it is. after looking it over i presume. so the next best thing is to ask on a computer forum. full of people who can't look at it. take it back to the garage and tell them to find it. or get over it.

i wonder about people sometimes.

[stevie lee]

@martin Lampe

or a more helpful post :

welcome to hexus

check the rear springs to see if theres a crack, or bits missing. caused by pothole damage.
also check the spare wheel well, for loose stuff, especially the wheel brace.
check the cubby holes in the boot aswell, some tools or stuff could be banging about when you go over bumps.
also check the wheels themselves, boss at work had a weird problem with his, there was a metal ring that holds the rim on, his was loose. I think its called 'the retention ring'

just some things that 3 garages around here didn't check on mates cars that I know of

anything else, just take it to a garage and see what they find.

[mike7]

Hi, I have noticed some issues with my Vectra recently so took it to my mechanics for a diagnostic, which came back with the following codes:

Po621 - Generator lamp control circuit malfunction
Po606 - Electronic Control Unit malfunction

As my mechanics don't do electrical work, they recommended I take it to Vauxhall or a garage that specialises in car electrics.

However, before doing so, would be grateful if anyone here could shed some light as to how serious the above could be.

One of the problems I have been having is that the main headlights seem to work intermittently, although the lamps are definitely not burnt. Obviously this could relate to the first code above?

Another problem is that although the car starts, sometimes it takes a while for it to start (i.e. the engine turns for a while then it finally starts, or it starts but immediately cuts out so needs to be started again, or I need to press down on the gas to make sure it doesn't cut out after starting). I should point out that thankfully, I have not yet had any problems of the engine cutting out whilst I am driving, and this problem does not seem to be related to whether the engine is hot or cold.

My air con stopped working about two weeks ago and my rear wiper also stopped working (not sure if these are related to the ECU?)

If anyone can offer any advice I would be grateful. I am hoping I don't have to replace the ECU as I cannot fork out that kind of cash at the moment, as I've heard it costs over £1000 to replace them (??!!), which is pointless given the car is only worth a bit more than that.

By the way, it's a 2005 Vectra 1.9CDTI.

Thank you.

Did you ever get this sorted? My son has almost the same problem, his air con and rear wiper plus dash board lights packed up, for about a week, then all came back, then after another couple of weeks went again, just the same. Still have the problem, took it to specialist auto electrician with all the computer stuff, but he can't find problem.

Would be grateful of any help,
Thanking you
Mike7

[mike7]

Hi, I'm new to this site, joined due to now having a Vauxhall in the family, and trying to solve a problem with it. As this is an old posting, I thought either it was sorted, or you had to get rid of the car somehow.Did you ever get the answer? My son has almost the same problem, his air con and rear wiper, plus dash board lights packed up, for about a week, then all came back. Then, after another couple of weeks, just went again, just the same. We still have the problem, and took it to specialist auto electrician, with all the computer stuff, but he can't find problem. His computer gave the message the ECU was not connected? (I think that's what he said anyway)

Would be grateful of any help,
Thanking you
Mike7

[GoNz0]

Try a Vauxhall forum, you really are in the wrong place.

[Ttaskmaster]

For anyone local to Reading - There is an independent mechanic here well-versed in Vectras (owns one himself) and can not only read the engine diagnostic codes, but will do the works all mentioned above.

Gimme a shout if interested...

[atlasalan]

ive a 2006 vectra 1.8 16v an lately the power steering has been hit and miss some times fine for weeks then a bloody nightmare had a auto elecy out an it came up intermittent ecu fault ive done a bit of research online ie chip fault,alternator not sending a 14 v charge to the power steering motoe ect any help would be grately appreciated ps its also started needing a bump start but that could be a number of things not having a run to charge the battery or the misses leaving the radio on when the wee one falls asleep in the car lol thanks in advance

[GoNz0]

ive a 2006 vectra 1.8 16v an lately the power steering has been hit and miss some times fine for weeks then a bloody nightmare had a auto elecy out an it came up intermittent ecu fault ive done a bit of research online ie chip fault,alternator not sending a 14 v charge to the power steering motoe ect any help would be grately appreciated ps its also started needing a bump start but that could be a number of things not having a run to charge the battery or the misses leaving the radio on when the wee one falls asleep in the car lol thanks in advance

Try a vauxhall forum if you want the honest answer.