Technical Car/Motor Issues > Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change…..
Thread Author: Haywain Replies: 7

 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Haywain
I took the Astra (diesel) down to the garage for its annual MoT and service and asked if they'd swap the battery for me while they had the car. I picked it up this morning, but they had only had time to do the MoT and battery change - I have booked it in for service next week.

When I left, the engine didn't start very smoothly and, on the slight slope out of town, the car was reluctant to accelerate. The turbo normally kicks in at about 1800 revs, but things didn't start to happen until about 2400 revs.

I've heard about the ECU needing to re-learn the appropriate settings after a break in current during a battery change and I just wonder if that's what's causing the rough running. I'm a bit concerned as we plan on doing a 300 miles round-trip tomorrow - maybe we should use the Focus instead.

Any ideas?

Cheers H
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - VxFan
>> I've heard about the ECU needing to re-learn the appropriate settings after a break in
>> current during a battery change

Quite possibly. Why not take it for a run today, prior to your trip tomorrow to see if things improve?
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Haywain
"Quite possibly. Why not take it for a run today, prior to your trip tomorrow to see if things improve?"

Thanks, VxF, after lunch, I did just that. I also read about leaving an engine idling for 10 mins in order for the ECU to sort out the idling speed (an old wive's tale?). I suppose I did approaching half an hour with it - mixed low-speed stuff through town, then a blast (ha!) down the A14.

It seems to be running fine now, although the turbo still seems to kick in a shade later than it used to do ………… maybe it needs a bit longer.

I was concerned that the other factor in the uneven running could have been the high revs during the emissions test for the MoT. Last year, a lump of coke had become dislodged from the EGR system and bunged things up - reported on here, well, about a year ago!

The acid test will be tomorrow morning when I start it from cold ………… fingers crossed!!!
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - carmalade
Have you actually fitted the correct battery for this model?
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Haywain
"Have you actually fitted the correct battery for this model?"

I used the one that was recommended by the Eurocar Parts website.
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Haywain
Apologies for the brevity ……. I had to go and get tea!

The battery is a Bosch S4 Type 075; this was confirmed on another website as well.
Last edited by: Haywain on Fri 24 Jan 14 at 19:08
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Victorbox
If it helps I've just replaced the battery on my Zafira B petrol (so similar to your Astra H) and that took a couple of hundred miles to be back to its old self.
 Vauxhall Astra H estate - 07 1.3 Engine running post battery change….. - Haywain
We took the Astra the 250 miles or so to Coalville yesterday and, as suggested, the engine seemed to settle down. After a slightly hesitant engine start, it burbled along the A14/M1 at a steady 70mph, quickly adjusting to its old wouldn't-pull-the-skin-off-a-rice-pudding sort of way. However, I still get the impression that the turbo is coming in at about 2200 rather than 1800 revs, making getaways at roundabouts etc even more exciting than usual.

I electively swapped the battery at 7 years old, so this morning, I cleaned the old battery and charged it ready to take its place amongst all the other useful junk in the garage; there must still be some life in it, and I'm sure it will come in handy! I noticed that the (original) battery is a Varta badged as GM.

The car's manual gives some brief instruction on changing the battery but, surprisingly, I couldn't see any mention of the ECU taking a while to settle down again. Mind you, looking on the web, there seems to be some confusion about the whole area of what happens when the battery is disconnected and how the ECU is returned to its happy state.

Thanks for your comments.
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