1997 Vauxhall Astra sluggish car

is it misfiring or just holding back,common faults are idle control valve and coilpack

First thing I would check would be plugs and ignition leads . Here are another few suggestions on same fault from Vauxhall forum .


ianroberts06-01-2007, 09:18 PM
HEEELLP ME PLEASE BEFORE I PHONE THE SAMARITANS!:crying_2:
I have just bought a 1997 1.4 Astra ls complete with misfire/hestitation on acceleration. It starts first time, idles OK revs fairly freely in 1st gear but is really hesitant on acceleration in other gears. No guts on hills and needs down shifts even on quite gentle gradients. It seems to be firing on all cylinders at least on idling speeds but I don't have the technical know how to even work out whether this is a fuel starvation or an electrical problem.
I bought the car for my son to learn to drive on but until I get this sorted out this is going to be a problem. If anyone recognises these symptoms, PLEASE PLEASE let me know how to fix them. Many thanks, Ian

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bigtee06-01-2007, 10:22 PM
How about a good service? or take it to a garage for a free check? more info needed. good luck.

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Disco_Mike06-01-2007, 10:26 PM
Faulty distributor. Had exactly the same problem with mine.
Luckily, i had a spare one to try, but turns out it was this.

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wraith06-01-2007, 10:34 PM
You could try injector cleaner in the tank, one whole bottle and run the car for half an hour. It works slowly but the improvement will be marked if this is the problem.
Also clean the plugs and check the resistance of the ignition leads. (or replace them)
The rotor arm and cap can give problems so make sure they are clean and not too old.
There is a module under the coil which can cause problems but it costs £40 so I would not change this until other checks are completed.
make sure there are no Vacuum leaks and especially to the brake servo as the plastic pipe can rub through and leak though this normally sounds like a plug is out of the car or a tappet has worn out.
Check the coil can deliver a good spark and make sure it doesn't deliver it to you!! it should easily jump 10mm to the cylinder head.
If the car has high mileage the fuel filter could be blocked partially.

its holding back i thought the cat had gone but i didnt want to spend the money but its fine for about ten mins then it seems to sould like its got a cold as soon as you go to rev the car over its not responsive but dips until it sounds like its going to cut out then revs over. It has got worse recently i have had the rotary arm changed and there is a new distributor cap on because i found parts of the old one still on the engine bay. i know thats its not the coil pack as it doesnt have one

yes it does have a coil, all cars have them unless there desiel