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“Service Vehicle Soon” (SVS) – Fault finding in Vauxhall Astra – Part Two

Following on from the initial fault finding success, and changing a glow plug (SEE PART ONE), I continued to be alerted with Vauxhall/Opel’s catch-all dashboard message “Service Vehicle Soon” (SVS) on most journeys that were more than a few miles long.

Service Vehicle Soon warning message on Astra J CDti

I thought it was worth regular checking of the ODB error codes with my cheap handheld reader… just in case I could catch something that was resetting between uses… “No Fault Codes” was a reassuring if unhelpful result.

After a while I thought that I noticed that, on regular journeys, it became possible to predict which part of the journey the message would appear, depending on how the car was being driven… It took longer to appear when the engine was cold, and if being driven really gently… and, of course, sooner if engine already warm, and driven more, er, energetically…

The one common factor in all these occasions was that it was when the car was decelerating that the SVS message appeared… Stopping at traffic lights, slowing for roundabouts, etc… I didn’t know what this meant, but I thought it was useful information to note!

After a few weeks of thinking, cleaning of various sensors, and generally keeping my fingers crossed, I gave in and asked a local independent garage to plug the car into their much more expensive fault code reader. It does annoy/disappoint me that Vauxhall/Opel, and presumably all other manufacturers, hide error codes from commonly available readers. It seems counter-productive and unhelpful.

However, several tenners lighter, and one technician that I had to explain to that “Service Vehicle Soon” didn’t mean what it said, later, I now had a clue… Error code P2297 – Oxygen Sensor Out of Range During Deceleration Bank 1 Sensor 1… That sounded like it fitted perfectly…

Back to Google to see if it was something I could solve myself rather than paying for someone else’s time… I appreciate that, particularly at an independent garage, most technicians are unlikely to spend quite as much time looking into possible causes of problems before they just spend a fortune and change parts. It’s not their fault, they need to work on many different makes and ages of vehicles. I, on the other hand, can concentrate on the one or two vehicles I drive at a time… and then forget it all when the next one comes along!

Anyway, it would seem that this fault code is triggered by the sensor (which I found down the front of the engine on the exhaust manifold) giving unusual signals about the O2 (oxygen) levels in that part of the exhaust system. A quick visual inspection suggested that the plug was connected properly, and that the cable wasn’t damaged… Always a good start.

Before going any further, over a cup of coffee, I investigated the price of a new sensor? Here is where some more fun starts…

Getting the correct part number was the first issue… The one mentioned by most sources was unavailable or over £240 from all normal sources…

It was at this point I took out the sensor, gave it a good clean, and refitted it, hoping that a layer of exhaust grime off might make it all come good… It didn’t!

However, whilst it was out, I noted the part number that I could almost read etched on the side. It was similar to the part number I thought I wanted, but not quite the same… Had the car had a previous problem and been fitted with the wrong part? That’d probably give the computer a few odd signals?? Or had I been looking for the wrong part?

So, the search continued… The independent garage I frequent couldn’t get hold of one, (they “knew what they were looking for”) and would have to order from the local Vauxhall dealer, again at over £240…

I ordered one from an Ebay seller, at a slightly more reasonable price, only to have them come back the next day saying that they couldn’t get one either…

This is where I did even more online research, wondering if anyone else was commenting on this… I wasn’t the only person driving an Astra… I’m sure I’d seen others on the roads…

There was nothing obvious, but I did stumble across a spreadsheet on Bosch’s (the sensor’s manufacturer) website about the different versions of their O2 sensor… It was all in technical German, but a short session with Google Translate later, I established what it was telling me… The part that was fitted to the Astra when it was built has now been superseded (“Ersatzartikelnummer” – Replacement Item Number should you need it!) by a different part number…

This part I found much better availability for, but prices still varied right up to the £200+ mark again. Almost as a last resort, I wondered about Amazon, they sell everything else, so why not car parts!! A mere £77 later, Amazon was whisking a “BOSCH 0 281 004 417 Lambda/ Oxygen Sensor” to my door…

(For info: Original part “0 281 004 175”, or 0281004175, replaced by “0 281 004 417“ or 0281004417.)

(It is also worth noting that the Amazon system didn’t think this was the “correct” part for this Astra, presumably because it thought the older part number WAS correct…)

Once this had arrived and was swiftly fitted, for several days I drove “normally”, expecting to hear the ping and see the message appear…

Fingers-crossed, and touch wood, etc, so far, and I’ve driven a few thousand miles since, the SVS message has not reappeared. A victory? For the moment, yes…

Until the next vague message appears… Hopefully not too soon…

2012 Astra 1.7 cdti 131 s/s
Engine type: A17DTF

More SVS investigations in PART THREE

18 comments
  1. Senarath

    Whoever you are a nice man and very clever. I have a similar problem, whether it would help or not for me I am very impressed by your research. I appreciate your enthusiasm.

  2. Jakub

    I have Astra j 1.7cdti 130 s/s. Im having the same issues, replaced the o2 sensor but the problem is still there. I keep having the “svs” message every now and then. I just realized that in most cases it happens when i switch the air con on. I will need to do some digging to find if the air con is somehow causing this to appear.

  3. Erik

    I had exactly the same problem & fault code with my Astra. Workshop quoted 320€ for a new Lambda sensor excl labour! Luckily I googled the fault code and came to this topic. Ordered an aftermarket Bosch sensor for 85€ and swapped it myself. The problem is sorted!

    Thank you very much for the detailed write-up! Much appreciated.

  4. Chris

    Very helpful thankyou, I have svs on 2014 astra 2l still under warranty luckily had new fuel switch on today so fingers crossed!!!

    1. UKMotorTalk

      Hi Michael,

      I’m afraid that I can’t give you a definitive answer on that, there are too many factors. However, I would point out that each sensor is there for a reason, and the measurements it produces will effect the way that the engine system operates. No, I don’t think it is going to immediately “break” anything, but continuing to use something that isn’t operating at its most efficient will have knock on effects… and I should think anything that is on the exhaust side is worth taking care of. Diesel Particulate Filters, Catalytic Converters, etc, are not the cheapest parts to replace! An O2 sensor might well be significantly cheaper in the long run.

      Let us know how it goes!

  5. Phil Rawlins

    Really helpful and Same issue/fault code with mine. Did you need a special tool to undo the sensor or did a spanner do the trick?

    1. UKMotorTalk

      Hi Phil,

      No special tool required for mine, just a spanner. I don’t recall it being difficult to remove either, just a little awkward to get at.

      I hope it solves your issue. Let us know how it goes!

    1. UKMotorTalk

      Hi there,

      As you can tell from the multiple parts of the story told here, Vauxhall haven’t made it very simple.

      However, I would suggest you work through the items mentioned…

      (1) If the SVS message is when starting the engine cold, check the glow plugs https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/2017/08/service-vehicle-soon-svs-fault-finding-in-vauxhall-astra-part-one/
      (2) If the message is while you are driving, and slowing down (for junctions etc) check the Oxygen (O2) Sensor https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/2017/08/service-vehicle-soon-svs-fault-finding-in-vauxhall-astra-part-two/ This page!
      (3) If the message is accompanied by another, such as Service ESP, it might be an ABS sensor… or (as I have found more recently, and with more expense) the inner ring that the sensor senses! https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/2019/01/service-vehicle-soon-svs-fault-finding-in-vauxhall-astra-part-three/
      (4) (and not yet mentioned here) if the message appear while you are driving and accelerating, I found that the (cheaper) glow plugs I had found on Amazon (still with the pressure sensors built in though) were giving readings that the computer wasn’t happy with, and showing the message and sometimes even going into limp home mode…. I guess this might also be something that faulty glow plugs will do?

      Of course, if you have access to an OBDII reader, a friendly dealer, or these days a plugin bluetooth OBDII reader connected to an app on your phone, you might be able to diagnose the faults more easily….

      Good luck! Let us know how it goes….

  6. Goran

    I have same issue, but it is Astra J 1.4 turbo, gasoline not diesel.

    SVS appears every time when i start the car.

    it happened few times that when i accelerated, this massage just popped out and i felt less power.
    This car has also build in Gas(LPG), and issues with power even with check engine appears usually when i am driving on gas (LPG).
    My mechanic is saying it’s nothing and i can drive, but for me it is strange and i would like to solve this or to change this car.

    Any advice?

    1. UKMotorTalk

      Hi Goran,

      The difficulty with the SVS message is that it doesn’t really guide you, the driver, with any detail of what the problem actually is!

      My Astra still likes to display this message occasionally… and I have found that a bluetooth OBD-II device, connected to my Android phone, and using the (free!) Car Scanner app, I can see what it thinks the issue is and make an informed decision as to whether or not it renders the car undrivable. Luckily, every time so far it has been sensors which believe they are “out of range” and a reset clears the issue. (eg. If the temperature of an exhaust sensor is out of range when the vehicle hasn’t even been started, there is a good chance that it isn’t too hot!!)

      I guess the LPG running may well introduce a few more reasons for sensors being slightly outside their “normal” range… Too hot/cold, too high/low pressure, etc….?

      When you say that you feel less power, is it a small amount less, or is the car putting itself into a “limp home mode”, restricting the power it is developing deliberately to protect itself?

      I guess changing the car would be the simplest way round the problem, but it isn’t always practical or the cheapest option.

      Good luck! Let us know what you find or decide.

      Andrew
      @UKMotorTalk

  7. Goran

    Hello Andrew,

    Thank you for prompt answer.

    I feel less power when i am driving on LPG, but like i am on 70%, only once happened to me when i was driving around 2500 rpmh SVS msg popped out and i felt losing power for lets say 50%, but i turn the car off and on and i was back to normal. Not all the time though this is happening.

    Beside SVS msg check engine lights up stating RICH/POOR FUEL MIXTURE. it is probably because LPG. i was at mechanic one month ago, he fix this poor fuel mixture, but time to tome check engine pops out.
    I don’t know if i can drive like this, because i have headache from mechanic’s and their explanation and not interested to solve the issue.
    Beside that, i found out that general repair was done on this Car and cylinder head gasket is not Opel (GM) original, it is thinner which maybe cause issue, i see that sides of engine had are little bit greasy, i mean it’s a little bit, i have 90% of oil level one year after changing.
    Real headache.

  8. Jim

    Had svs for at least 18 months ,you could knock it of with button on indicator,,no code on my cheap obd reader,,it’s check glowplug s this Amp meter one was incorrect voltage so replaced at 70 quid..did not solve svs coming on…I saw this post and it rang true to my fault so I ordered 0 281 004 417 lambda sensor,,its located at front on engine obove alternator,,I need new tool to remove of ebay 22mm Oxygen o2 Lambda Sensor Socket Removal Tool,,they electric connector has a slide clip then it pull of be carefully the clip falls out,,nearly went in alternator haha,so covered it with rag to not do it again,,,then connector to the sensor then pulls up off bracket….was a bit of a pig changing not alot of room but managed,,put thread anti seize on new sensor thread.. then take minus terminal off battery for about 30 mins to reset ecu…I did the above steps and now it’s fixed no more svs ,,,thanks for this post,,,astra j 1.7 sri 131 bhp stop n start.

  9. Andy kinzett

    I have a 2014 2ltr cdti astra svs Comes on and car goes into limp mode a real pain after 2 or 3 short journey’s it goes back to normal with no svs light, any idea what the problem could be thanks

    1. UKMotorTalk

      Hi Andy,

      It could be any number of things that trigger the limp mode, though it is curious that the problem seems to cure itself with a couple of journeys.

      Have you tried reading any OBD codes? I now use a Bluetooth OBDII device ( several plugin boxes and price points to choose from… https://amzn.to/3GZMHe1 ) with an app on my Android phone ( “Car Scanner ELM OBD2” by OvZ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ovz.carscanner if it helps ) to be able to quickly see, at the roadside if necessary, what has triggered the SVS or limp home.

      If this proves inconclusive, have you noticed that the conditions (engine temperature, acceleration, deceleration, glow plugs on, steering lock, etc) are the same or similar each time the SVS comes on? These might help home in on an area of concern.

      Good luck!

      Andrew

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