Zafira randomly shuts off whilst driving!

[Zoom7000]

I purchased my Vauxhall Zafira B in 2014 (59 plate, registered in 2010). I purchased it from a dealer in Luton. A few weeks in to driving it, I was doing about 15 MPH on my local road and the entire car switched itself off mid-drive! Total loss of power, electrics, everything. Being an automatic, I had to bring the car to a halt, put it in to park and turn the key again in the ignition. Thought nothing of it and carried on. A few months later, the same thing happened again. Once again, travelling at low speed, like 20 MPH and shut off. The third time and fourth time it happened, was when I was coming towards a junction and slowly braking as you do. The car just switched off completely.

 

I took it back to the dealer who said it was an issue with the accelerator pedal. They resolved it and I was on my way. A few months later, same issue. Took it back and they said it was a CIM issue. So, they replaced the CIM and reprogrammed both my keys. A few months later, the very same issue occurred again. I took it back and they said it’s the CIM again. I couldn’t understand why it had gone faulty again, but alas, changed the CIM again, keys recoded and back I went. Lo and behold, it has happened several times again since. Thankfully, it only seems to occur at low speeds, but I definitely don’t want to take the risk of it happening if I’m on the motorway!

 

Not fancying yet another long drive to Luton, I asked a local mechanic to have a look at the fault codes and this is what he found:

 

P1614-50: Wrong Transponder Key

P1616-00 CIM (Steering Column Module) Wrong Environment Identifier

 

B3055-00: Transponder Key Problem

U2105-00 CAN-Bus No Communication with ECM (Engine Control Module)

 

As soon as he saw the codes, he said you have a faulty CIM. It was only when I told him that they’ve already changed it twice, that he said something else clearly isn’t correct here.

 

Any ideas what could be the cause of my issues and exactly what I can do to fix the problem once and for all?

[Joanne]

It might not be this, but I had a focus which just shut off, turned out to be the fuel filter was clogged, starving the engine of fuel. Could be worth a go?

[synaesthesia]

With those it'll generally be the item the diag tool is telling you (CIM) or something connected to it. Like a computer, you'd then start to look at what it's connected to or how it's connected, so the ECU or the CANBUS. CANBUS is probably a good place to start. You haven't put any dodgy 3rd party stereos in or anything have you?

[mole]

sure I saw a Watchdog programme that had a section on astras and zafiras doing this and other wierd things

[3s-gtech]

Have you posted on a Vauxhall/mechanics forum as well? They're far more likely to have an idea.

 

This could be a huge number of things. Even the battery terminals being loose, or one of the main earths having a poor connection/severing. If the car is still in dealer warranty, you need to get them to sort it, or you will need to look at making sure you get your money back or a replacement. That is potentially a very dangerous issue and I advise that you don't use the car until it's resolved (no more cop-outs fixing the same part!)

[Dos_Box]

It seems that Zafiras cutting out is quite a common issue for owners and not one which can be attributed to any one common cause

Even a simple Google for 'Zafira cutting out' produces dozens of explinations.

What I could suggest (if you have an Android phone) is to buy a copy of Torque - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en_GB - and an ODB adaptor (about £10 from Ebay/Amazon). At least this way you will save a small fortune on garage diagnostics and be able to check to see whether it is the same problem occuring each time.

I hope you find a cure for your car.

[6Foot2]

I purchased my Vauxhall Zafira B in 2014 (59 plate, registered in 2010). I purchased it from a dealer in Luton. A few weeks in to driving it, I was doing about 15 MPH on my local road and the entire car switched itself off mid-drive! Total loss of power, electrics, everything....

 

I had a manual Citroën Berlingo that would do this. The dealership could not find the fault. In the end, I traded it with another dealership. They phoned me after the deal was done and I had my new car for a while to let me know that they had found the fault that the Citroën dealership could not. They identified the problem as a fracture in one of the control circuit boards. This information was of no use to me, but perhaps it might help you?

[Zoom7000]

It seems that Zafiras cutting out is quite a common issue for owners and not one which can be attributed to any one common cause

Even a simple Google for 'Zafira cutting out' produces dozens of explinations.

What I could suggest (if you have an Android phone) is to buy a copy of Torque - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en_GB - and an ODB adaptor (about £10 from Ebay/Amazon). At least this way you will save a small fortune on garage diagnostics and be able to check to see whether it is the same problem occuring each time.

I hope you find a cure for your car.

 

Thanks for that DB. Unfortunately, I only have an iOS device. Is there a suitable iOS alternative? I've seen this one (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/engine-link-obd-ii-vehicle/id591557194?mt=8) but it seems to have very poor reviews and hasn't been updated in quite a while.

[Dos_Box]

Thanks for that DB. Unfortunately, I only have an iOS device. Is there a suitable iOS alternative? I've seen this one (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/engine-link-obd-ii-vehicle/id591557194?mt=8) but it seems to have very poor reviews and hasn't been updated in quite a while.

 

This looks a lot better: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dashcommand-obd-ii-gauge-dashboards/id321293183?mt=8

Just make sure you buy a compatible adaptor (Don't buy the cheapest either!).

[Cazale]

The Sale of Goods act applies for up 6 years, including second-hand items if bought from trade. I would definatly get some advice from the likes of Citizen's Advice

[Cazale]

Oh, and if you bought it on credit, you might have even more protection, as the credit provider is also liable for anything going wrong (it depends on the credit, and who arranged it - do a search for "Section 75 joint liability"). What this usually means is that the credit provider will chase down the retailer (legally) to provide a remedy. If you paid on a credit card you should definitely contact your CC provider! (although probably still get advice first).