I've recently had a little orange light come on on my dashboard (looks like an engine). About the same time (and for a little time prior to) I noticed that the cars performance had dropped off considerably. I took it to the local garage and the promptly plugged it into their computer and told me that the 02 lambda sensor was faulty. I was advised that it should be replaced.
Today I go to the garage to find out that they've decided that it may not be the o2 sensor that is faulty as the diagnostic computer is showing that my car is throwing up more than one error. Lambda sensor errors, random misfire errors and piston 4 errors among others.
They've asked the local Vauxhall dealer about the problem and their answer is that my particular model and age of car has had lots of reports of faulty ECUs and that is likely the problem. The local mechanics have also found that the Cat is rattling when the car is rev'd. I suggested (after reading here) that the pre cat may have broken up and is blocking the main cat. They told me that my car doesn't come with a pre cat fitted - I've only their word to go on.
So basically the garage have asked me how to proceed. They haven't blindly fitted the o2 sensor and then shrugged when it didn't fix the problem so I am thankful for that however I am left with an issue. They've already spent a couple of hours trying to diagnose the problem (2 hours labour). The Cat needs replacing (Cost). The lambda sensor may need replacing (cost). The ECU may need replacing (cost). So in total I could end up spending the total value of the car in new parts and not actually fix my fault.
I'm at a loss. Anyone got any ideas based on my description.