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Vectra 02 SXI Misfire & then Emission Control Light lit?

Immediately after annual service the engine started misfiring and then the emission warning light stayed on, dealer used tech 2 to trace faulty plug but problem returned within 24 hours, car seems to run ok (occassional misfire) but light now is on full time. Can anyone help with diagnosis before I return to dealer ?
TonyC, August 2008
Micky, tried that seemed ok for the last 3 weeks or so then wham... the engine seemed to be in limp mode , eneven idle and lots of what seemed like smoke coming from engine. Managed to get to dealer who diagnosed Cat Converter failure, now faced with 400 pounds replace, dealer comment "they can fail anytime" car has 44k on the clock seems to me that there is some other gremlin at work !

Tony C, September 2008
Listen, just because the dealer diagnosed the problem to be a faulty spark plug, doesn't mean that was the problem at all. on some vehicles the plug wire is usually the root cause of the problem not any of the spark plugs. I know this may sound some what strange to you, but try replacing the plug wire with the old one that came off that plug and drive the vehicle for a while. if the problem doesn't re occure you fixed the problem yourself.

Mickey-G, August 2008
link Click here to see other fixes for Vectra.