UK Car Repair: Vauxhall Automatic, Warning lights and Cut out, light flicker, rev limit

Question
We have had our car for about 4 years now, most probs have been easily fixed. It is a Vauxhall 1.6 Astra Estate (2000).
Recently our warning light for 'Engine Electronics' has been coming on and off whilst driving.  It says in the handbook if it comes on for a few mins then turns off not to worry, although sometimes it comes on for an hour.  It always turns off at some point!
The other day I was driving and it had been coming on and off on occassions, then at one point all the warning lights flicked on and the car cut out with no warning, obviously making power steering and brakes a bit dodgy.  It then started again although i did see the battery light flicker once.  Then we drove it home with no probs.
Obviosuly being a lady I am now totally paranoid about driving it and am also aware that if the lights dont stay on then a garage linking it up to their computer prob wont tell them much.
Any Ideas?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Kate, Actually dealers can read trouble codes when the light has gone off because once the light comes on a code is stored in the memory to be read as what's called a freeze frame (when the ECU senses a problem it takes a 'snap shot' when the trouble starts) and anyone with a scanner can read this (kwik fit will do it for you usually for around £20 or so if you ask someone to do it for you and offer the guy the cash he will do it for you). In my experience with the vauxhall engines 16v it is often one of two things which cause the light to come on 1) EGR valve sticking 2) Camshaft position sensor (the latter will cause the engine to 'bounce' off the rev limit at around 4500rpm with the car in neutral. As for the cutting out I would suspect that the alternator may be causing problems (because you saw the light flicker) ,if you have a volt meter or know someone who does start the car and put the red lead on the + side of the battery and the black lead on the - side and with the engine running the voltage should read around 14.5v without the engine running it should read 12v or more hope it helps - paul