Vauxhall Astra

Hi Knowledgeable Ones

I’m currently making my way down from Santander to Quesada in my 2021 Astra. The engine management orange light has come on with a message “reduced engine power” or some such thing! The car drives OK but there is no “oomph” when I accelerate. My question is, has anyone got a recommendation for a local garage who would be able to carry out a diagnostic (and fix it). Cheers

It may have dropped into limp mode.Does it reset if you switch ignition off then on again?You will need to visit a vauxhall dealer to have the car plugged into their diagnostic computer.

Not a good idea to continue driving! The engine management system has put your car into what’s often called ‘limp mode’. It limits the revs (no oomph) to protect the engine when there is a fault.

Is the car not still under warranty? I believe Vauxhall have a 2 year warranty at least so may be worth ringing Vauxhall assistance.

Car "drives OK but there is no oomph" doesn't sound like limp mode, more like the turbo isn't working. Typically limp mode will lock a car in a low gear and limit engine revs to 2500/3000 rpm.

Orange lights are first warnings that something is wrong but don't necessarily mean you shouldn't continue driving, it's when red lights come on that you should stop immediately.

One thing you could try is disconnecting the battery for several minutes that can sometimes rest a fault.

If you have breakdown insurance then ring them

If you are stuck to find a garage with a OBD2 reader I have one.

Thanks everyone. We’ve tried Vauxhall Assistance but that just lasts one year. I do have European breakdown but decided to carry on (it’s like the old days - change down when on a hill!). Before I take the car into the dealership in Torre, Rafa’s garage in Benijofer is going to pet the hurdie-gurdie on it to check if it’s only a sensor. If not I reckon it’s a replacement turbo - sounds expensive

LeeG wrote:If you are stuck to find a garage with a OBD2 reader I have one.

Cheers!

If you're dead lucky it could turn out to be no more than an electrical connection come loose!

Exactly what happened to me once some years back, and I was towing a caravan!