I have a Mk2 1988 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0i GL Automatic. Recently something is going wrong where the automatic gear box gets confused and the 'S' (sports) light flashes. A simple engine restart used to cure this, but since Monday it's been awful and the engine management is very poor. Any idea what could have gone and how to fix it. It goes wrong in normal/sports mode in drive or 1-2-3 Sometimes I drive and it goes into neutral rather than second, others it's just flat. Sometimes it drives for ages fine. Seems to be perfect with a cold engine ... Cheers -- Aaron Whiffin Webbed Feet UK www.wfuk.com www.suzythesnake.co.uk
Uncanny Aaron, I was just about to post almost exactly the same question. My symptoms are only slightly different, hope someone can answer both. I just bought this car (Auto 97 Astra) a few months ago. I had a problem with it cutting out moving off from stationary at lights etc, so had it serviced. Since then I've been having this new problem. Generally happens when starting the car in the morning - it has only happened a couple of times after already having the car running for a while (both times switching from reverse to drive). Currently about 50% of starts in the morning result in the flashing 'sporty' light. The engine sounds rough, and once switched into a gear the flashing starts. The car moves but extremely sluggishly. As Aaron describes a restart generally fixes it, but I've been revving the engine till I think it sounds normal before switching into gear – though I don't know if that is making a difference. Again as Aaron says most of the time the car is running just fine. Hope someone has some insight for us! Caitlin
Mine is quite low on oil. I thought perhaps an oil change may work. There may be an oil pressure switch linking to the ECU. I'll put oil in tonight, but whether it makes a difference I may not know for a while (cycling these days). Sying that I may have a trip on Sunday ... I'll keep you posted A
