when im driving and i put it in 3rd or it reaches 2500 - 3000 revs it goes into limp mode i cant accelarate then suddenly it just starts moving again then i put it in 4th and it does the same thing again its not juddering it just wont move when the light comes on which is a triangle with a car in the middle skidding please someone help me its only done 68000 miles its 2000 plate.

sue, October 2009

SNAP, I've had the same problem for around two years now. Not really impressed with Vauxhall (UK) as I live in Germany. Opel on the other hand have no real record of the problem.
The problem may be a loss of pulsed earth from the ECU to the Ignition pack. This causes the juddering that you experience (one cylinder will not be working/sparking properly). Not only ESP (electronic skid protection) lamp but Engine Management lamp lit.

This can be really expensive to diagnose as I have found. When the vehicle is diagnosed numerous garages have replaced various components mass air flow sensor/chamber compression checked etc(very costly) with no overall solution to the problem.

Today (29-10-09) I have paid 780 Euros to replace the ECU. The car was running fine this afternoon but after a short trip moments ago the car has returned to square one..........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhh

I am very tempted at present to return the vehicle to the Vauxhall dealership that sold me the vehicle as they washed their hands of the problem as soon as they could. Great aftersales care I must say......... Well done Hartwells, Southampton.

Very tempted at the moment to search for a new Ford.

Jase (Germany), October 2009

That is the traction control light. The cars computer thinks one or both drive wheels are spinning so it applies the brake and reduces engine power.
Either you are driving too hard on a poor surface, you have poor quality/worn tyres fitted, your tyres are not all the same size, your tyre pressures are incorrect or one of the wheel sensors/reluctor rings is faulty.
If the tyres are all OK try turning the traction control off then take the car for a drive.

hal, October 2009