Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Danny]

Driving to work this morning, slow traffic about 10 mph approaching roundabout, engine cuts out. the alternator light, electronics and oil pressure light all come on, i let it roll to the side of the road, switch hazards on and headlights off (foggy first thing this mornin here). I put it in park and switch key off as if to get out and then i leave it for a few seconds, waving a few cars past, I start it up again, things appear to be as normal and it runs fine again, i continue to work, do my postman round and come home, no problems

is there anything I should worry about? because apart from the oil pressure light coming on when the engine cut out, the other 2 come on anyway when you turn your key before the engine starts!

I let the engine cool and checked my oil, no problems there, but as i said, been out in it a couple of times since and had no problems!

also a couple of times recently when i start it up it sometimes feels like it's struggling to start, like it's not putting as much effort in, but it does start on that first attempt, is it just being tempermental?

When its running it runs like a dream and doesnt let me down

[Marks DTM Calib]

Sounds like a classic failing crank sensor....read the fault codes.....is it a V6 by the way?

[tunnie]

Sounds like a classic failing crank sensor....read the fault codes.....is it a V6 by the way?

Its a 2.0 I belive...

[Danny]

2.0 GLS

where would i find out the fault codes?

[tunnie]

2.0 GLS

where would i find out the fault codes?

Do a search on the 'paperclip' test .... you short 2 pins with a paper clip and the EML light flashes the code numbers at you.

[Danny]

on the instructions i found for a paperclip test it says it can only be done on cars up to 1999

[tunnie]

yours is the 2.0 16v so it should be fine, i think that referes to the later DBW engines (2.2/2.6/3.2)

[nixoro]

yours is the 2.0 16v so it should be fine, i think that referes to the later DBW engines (2.2/2.6/3.2)

I always thought the facelift models had updated ecu's so the paperclip wouldn't work, learn something new.

[tunnie]

yours is the 2.0 16v so it should be fine, i think that referes to the later DBW engines (2.2/2.6/3.2)

I always thought the facelift models had updated ecu's so the paperclip wouldn't work, learn something new.

Err you maybe right.... I can't remember if it was just based on engines or the year? I thought all 2.0's would can be paperclip tested, of course I am probably wrong!  

[Danny]

paperclip test gave nothing away, no flashing EML at all

makes me think it just had a tantrum, and maybe I should just keep my eye on it's behaviour

its due a service on thursday and it's having a new cambelt kit done on sunday

a few of you will already be familiar with my extreme lack of knowledge of cars and their mechanical workings anyway, most of your wives or girlfriends will know more than me!!

[tunnie]

sorry yes i think nixoro was right, only works until 1999, sorry!

Still sounds like a crank sensor problem. Does the car start ok when warm?

[Danny]

starts fine practically all the time, just 2 or 3 times lately it's felt almost lazy starting, not spluttering or grinding like a struggling start, just half hearted!

[tunnie]

starts fine practically all the time, just 2 or 3 times lately it's felt almost lazy starting, not spluttering or grinding like a struggling start, just half hearted!

Could be the cam sensor on its way out....

See how it starts when warm, if it takes a lot of cranking could be the cam sensor.

[Matchless]

The crank sensor may be the eventual fault but I would eliminate the idle valve first.

As its an auto the idle air valve could be responsible for the stall, if the valve and breathers are gummed up then the idle valve becomes sluggish, at idle it results in un-even idle speed but when driving along and closing the throttle for a junction it can be too slow to react and the engine momentarily is starved of air and stalls, on a manual you dont really notice because it is still in gear and restarts but an auto would just stop.

[AndersH]

The paperclip test works ok on my year 2000 car...