Inconclusive probem with '97 Astra?

1.4LS, 96,000miles. Engine cuts out when slowing down for junctions etc. This happens infrequently, the car does not start again straight away but will after a minute or so, (and starts like normal). Diagnostic check showed up no electrical problems. People tell me its the Idle Control Valve, others say it can't be, and that its the distributor. I dont want to waste money on the wrong part, but its a difficult problem for the garage to investigate.
Any suggestions appreciated, cheers.

Answers:
if this is an 8 valve engine - one cam with an orange bosch distributor on the right hand end of the head - it may be one of two things - under the coil - on the right behind the passenger side headlamp - is a unit called the trigger box - it is the unit which creates and times the spark intervals - it can be affected by heat and the internals brake down causing the car to brake down. secondly there is the distributor which also gives trouble in exactly the same way. both of these units cannot be repaired. the trigger box is the first thing i would replace as its cheaper(about £80 from a dealer) - then the distributor. its completely trial and error as there is no way of testing them.
hi there try checking the fuel pump they can jam when they r worn but I'm sorry to say that you may have to wait until it wont start at all then the problem can pin pointed but sounds like the pump to me mate good luck
you havent got an idle valve on yours as such its only a stepper motor, but normally they work or they dont.
On a 97 wouldnt have thought it'd be distributor they should be on coil pack by that age.
get a haynes manual from library and find the stepper motor then remove and clean see if it helps.
Try a trigger box 1st.
I had same problem on a rover 1.4 engine and it was the crank position sensor fault and that wouldnt show on a diagnostics only cured after swapping each sensor individually
It`s the Idle air control valve. This is a very well known problem with any vehicle fitted with Bosch Fuel Injection, just like yours is !They can be cleaned, but its usualy only effective for a couple of thousand miles. Better to get a new one, they`re easy to fit, it`s a 5 minute job (OK 10 if its your first time !)
it sounds like the crankshaft pos sensor to me

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