Vectra's Black Smoke & Power Loss: Rail Sensor Issue?

Hey there, I had similar issues with my 2006 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 last year. The symptoms were exactly like yours, power loss, jerky acceleration, black smoke, and stalling. Turned out my fuel rail pressure sensor was shot. Had it fixed at my local Vauxhall specialist garage last August. The mechanic ran diagnostics first to confirm the sensor fault. They had to replace the pressure sensor and clean the fuel system as it had caused some carbon buildup. Took about half a day to complete everything. While not the most serious issue, it needs proper attention as it can damage other components if left unfixed. The fix solved all the problems completely, no more stalling, smoke, or power issues since then. If you're in need of a proper diagnosis, I'd suggest finding a Vauxhall specialist rather than a general garage. They're usually more experienced with these specific sensor issues. Stay away from temporary fixes, this needs proper replacement with OEM parts.

Thanks, glad to hear you got yours sorted! Sounds spot on like what I'm dealing with. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole job? Also, everything's still running smooth since the fix, yeah?

Hey again! Yeah, absolutely, everything's still running like a charm since I got it fixed at the Vauxhall specialist. The total bill came to 240€, which covered both the diagnostic work and replacing the pressure sensor. If I remember right, the majority of that was for the OEM sensor itself, they're not exactly cheap parts! But honestly, it was worth every penny. Since getting that rail pressure sensor sorted, my Astra's been running perfectly, no more black smoke, stalling, or any of those annoying power issues. I've put on quite a few miles since last August and haven't had a single problem. Given how similar your symptoms are to what I experienced, I reckon you're dealing with the same thing. That "Incorrect signal from rail pressure sensor" warning I got during diagnostics was spot on, and fixing it resolved all the problems. Just make sure you get it done soon, you don't want it causing more expensive issues down the line!

Thanks so much for all the details! I bit the bullet and took my Vectra to Auto Excellence, a Vauxhall specialist nearby. You were right, it was the rail pressure sensor! Got it diagnosed and fixed yesterday. The whole thing set me back about 260€, which wasn't too bad considering all the grief it was giving me. They did the diagnostics, replaced the sensor with an OEM part, and gave the fuel system a good clean. The mechanic was really thorough and explained everything. Took it for a proper spin this morning and what a difference! No more black smoke, jerking, or stalling. The engine's running smooth as butter now. Should've done this weeks ago instead of worrying about it! Really appreciate your help pointing me in the right direction. Sometimes it just takes someone who's been through the same thing to give you that push to get it sorted. Cheers!