ECU problem

[lampardluver]

My engine management light comes on sparadically. Took to garage and they say their computer is not reading anything so this means the ECU needs replacing. Is it worth waiitng for MOT (on 19 October) to see if it passes emission test to confirm this? The performance of the car has not been affected. It starts ok, it does not stall. The trouble is they say a new ECU is �500 and my car isnt even worth that. It;s a p reg 1.2 Corsa. What do this you think of this diagnosis?

[kaztuz]

Not sure what Vauxhalls are like with electrics, but we used to have a Peugeot which have notoriously bad electrics and our ECU light used to flash and then stop again and start again. At the time I actually worked for a garage and their auto electrician hooked it up to the computer several times and could find nothing. However I was never told that I needed a new ECU, and that it was just a case of the electrics playing up from time to time. Is the garage you use trustworthy and are you sure they aren't just trying to get you to part with a big wad of money. I would recommend getting a second opinion from a reputable garage.
P.S. Are you female by any chance? If so take along a man.

[marand93]

I had a rover 416 and after much dialogue with the garage, it was found that a lead from the ecu had become unplugged from a component of the engine, therefore giving a false read at the garage.

[lampardluver]

I use them as they are local to my work. I sometimes do doubt their performance though. For example they said my front two tyres were perished. I had flat back tyre later, took it to another garage (near to my home) and they said the front tyres were fine, it was the back ones.
Anyway, I have paid �50 to get the disagnostics done. And having a second opinion would be another �50. I'm always having trouble with cars and im getting fed up.
So do I just live with the light? Will it fail MOT on emmissions if it is the ECU that has gone? Who do I go to, that is reputable? and convenient? Do I keep driving the car?

[colin6789]

If it runs OK I would put up with it, it could be a alightly faulty connection giving an intermitent fault. My Seat leon did this for months. No it will not fail the MOT, only if the ABS light is on.

[tommy.h]

if its running ok leave it. but if you have any more problems i would take it to an independent garage & get them to check for fault codes. it does not mean that your ECU needs replacing possibly just a crank sensor fault or something else simple. a lot of vauxhall dealer have bad reputations for overcharging.

[lampardluver]

thanks for your advice.
Ive been back to the garage today and they have suggested I have an emmissions test, if that fails then the fault is within the ECU. I said should I drive. HE said that could destroy the cat convertor.
God, this is confusing. What if I dont want to live with the light? How do i turn it off. Disconnect the battery? Im thinking of selling the car and buying a new one.
Which cars are reliable and cheap. Im thinking Ford Ka?
How much would I get for a 1.2 Preg Corsa 93.300 miles

[ROPESITE]

I had a Corsa with the same fault and apparently corsa ECU's don't store the fault codes so the fault will only show up on the diagnostic computer when the fault is active ie the warning light is on. I would take it for it's MOT and see what happens. If it fails on emissions this could point to an intermittent Lamda (exhaust) sensor fault. Try adding Injector cleaner to the fuel for a couple of fill up's before you go for test.

[lampardluver]

OK, i think i'll wait for MOT before I even contemplate of replacing ECU.
Which is on 19/10/07.
If you think I shouldnt wait until then, please say.
Thanks all