Sleepless nights....

[clarkenator]

I have posted about this before, however, here we go again...

I have a problem with my FTO, its an 'M' reg 1.8 GS Auto, with 50,000km.. It has been off the road now for nearly a year now and im getting a little annoyed with not getting any further with it..

Basically the car will run fine for about 5 miles, then, when i try to accelerate the power will drop off suddenly, and it feels like its going a stall..

When i back off the throttle, sometimes the power will come back slightly.. but when i push it throttle again it stutters with very small spurts of acceleration.. if i push it too hard it will cut out..

The odd thing is.. when i switch her off and start it back up again it will be fine for another couple of miles, then do it all over again...

I have had it checked over by auto electrician but to no avail (i think he was a little incompetent), he said there was spark going through all of the time even when it felt like its going to stall..

Has anybody heard of this problem before? or know of something i might be able to try, or any sensors that might be causing the problems, the only thing I have tried is the lambda sensor but this made no difference.. im at my wits end with it now... can anyone shed any light on this for me please????

Many thanks, Matt.

[Sebastian]

did you run a diagnosis ?

[optical illusion]

Hardly be the stepper motor would it?

[clarkenator]

I have run a diagnostic but nothing shows up.. so did the auto electrician..

I dont think it would be the stepper motor as it idles ok.. I'm now thinking more towards it being a dodgy sensor.. but which one lol????

[Dilogoat86]

Have you tired resetting your ECU and leaving the car idle for a half hour or so?

[clarkenator]

yea i reset it everytime before i drive it.. i take the battery off to keep it charged while im not using it..

[Dilogoat86]

Have you removed the airfllow meter to see if it runs the same? If it does then it could be a fault MAF.

[clarkenator]

i haven't tried that yet mate.. i shall try it tonight and let you know..

[clarkenator]

Dont suppose the throttle position sensor might be another posibility??

[Dilogoat86]

Could be. I'm starting with the peripheral sensors and working towards the throttle body.

[clarkenator]

I havent been able to test the MAF yet.. but i was poking about with it tonight and i noticed in the fuse box the MPI fuse has got a 40amp not the 30amp it should be.. does anyone reckon this could be why she is playing up? I didn't know if it might be getting over fueled maybe?

[Dilogoat86]

Try replacing it but I don't think that would cause the issue.

[clarkenator]

I have just tested the MAF.. i took it out for a drive at 12km it started to do it.. so i switched off the engine disconnected the MAF and started her up, (she idled slightly higher than when it was connected and the engine light came on) took her out for another drive and at 12km she done it again.. so im not any further forward unless im not testing it correctly? anymore ideas please??

I havent changed the fuse yet either.

[99casst]

right not 100% shore but worth a go if there no spark going throw all time sounds like a ifs fault to me could be wrong as the power to the coil comes from this failing that r u getting a engine code. correct me if im wrong but it wont throw a code unless the sensor has had it or not plugged in but this does not mean 1 of your sensors is working effectively the only other sensor or issue witch needs to work 100 % to produce the spark at right time is cam or crank the issue u got im not 100% shore as i not look at 1.8 and i do believe they do not use ifs so check basic old school ways of rotor arms and cap may be something as simple as this

[CJ]

so check basic old school ways of rotor arms and cap may be something as simple as this

@ 99casst - the 4G93 engine setup in the GS is fuel injected, it doesn't use a distributor. Use of punctuation would make your posts much more readable by the way

@ clarkenator - the problem must is most likely related to one of three systems - the ignition (plugs, coils, leads), the fuel supply (clogged fuel filter, injectors, pump) or the MAF. If in doubt, get yourself a good local mechanic.

CJ

[Bobby]

have u tried the map sensor the mivec has this ...manifold air pressure sensor mine is doing the same...just bought a sensor from ebay.....will keep u posted how it goes

[clarkenator]

haven't yet mate.. to be honest i didn't know mine hand one.. would be interesting to see if it fixes yours tho, good luck with it, let me know.

[Masa]

check the sparkplug covers as well.

had some troubles with my car and I realised that the rubber cover was a bit porous, which led to electric arcs between the spark cover and the throttle cable. Not really good ^^

[clarkenator]

might sound a bit stupid but where is the map sensor? does the 1.8 have one?

[CJ]

might sound a bit stupid but where is the map sensor? does the 1.8 have one?

No, the GS MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor rather than a MAP.

If a sensor is not reading correctly, it usually flags an error which can be extracted using the diagnostic process. Assuming you've undertaken it correctly and all sensors are operating within threshold, the problem is likely related to ignition and fuelling - have you checked these systems as per my previous post?

CJ

[witcher]

MAF sensor is placed on air intake duct behind airbox. I drive GS as well. I do not think its MAF. To be honest it is a guessing game but I would bet on fuelling. Remove fuel pump from the tank and check it for any signs of dirt, anything, check the fuel filter. Either that or get your Missi bitchi to a FTO specialist garage.
Good luck mate,
The more I think of it the more I'm sure it is fuelling. Do you know if anyone was fiddling with ECU in your car??

[clarkenator]

I dont think anyone has messed about with the ECU, but I was thinking about replacing it at one point.. I have had the fuel pump out and cleaned the filter on it.. im just getting to a point now where i just want to get rid of it.. but like you said i suppose i will have to take to a specialist.. (I just hate having to take my car to a garage, i always do all my own jobs lol)

[witcher]

I dont think anyone has messed about with the ECU, but I was thinking about replacing it at one point.. I have had the fuel pump out and cleaned the filter on it.. im just getting to a point now where i just want to get rid of it.. but like you said i suppose i will have to take to a specialist.. (I just hate having to take my car to a garage, i always do all my own jobs lol)

I know what you mean, everytime she decides to be little Missi bitchi I threaten to sell her, but I don't. I also do almost all the work on her myself, but sometimes you just have to go to a garage. alternatively you can try and talk to owner of camskill, top lad, he owns 2 FTOs and may be inclined to help, just make sure you buy spares at his place:)
good luck

[CJ]

Did you replace the fuel filter in the engine bay? What was the outcome of ignition system checks?

CJ

[clarkenator]

Yea i have changed the filter in the engine bay.. And i had someone test the ignition and its still sparking all the time.. so it must be fuel related but i dont know where?