My car has gone fookin kookoo!

 

I was driving home from Falkirk last night at around 12.30 and the car started seriously spluttering and hesitating. This has happened once or twice in the past. A couple of times i have just stopped the car, started it again and all is hunky dorey. Last time however, it wouldnt run until i had cleaned all connectors, sensors reset ECU etc..

 

anyway, i pulled up hoping it would be ok when i re started it but nope! It kept spluttering, revs dropped and it cut out. Engine light flashing on and off. Car would not go above 2000rpm. I tried a good few times but no improvement. I gave some of the connectors a wiggle but that was all i could do as it was pitch black and i was in the middle of the sticks. Eventually i managed to pull away. Engine light on, spluttering like hell up to about 2500rpm and then a bit clearer after that, but defo not running on all cylinders. I drove like this for about 5 miles til i got in a town.

 

I pulled up, stop the car and started it again. All was fine. I drove another 10-15 miles and when i was half way along the bypass it started playing up again. I was sitting at around 70mph and there was no power. Took foot off accelerator and back on. all fine. 10 seconds later same thing... This happened a few times then the engine light came on. Again spluttering really badly. Had to pull up. Car would not go again. I noticed when i turned the ignition on the fuel pump would stay on. Take the key out and it was still on. Then off. Then it would be ok, then randomly come on. It had a mind of its own. After a while i managed to get it going again. Engine light still on and running like shit, but it was only a couple of miles to home.

 

I eventually rolled into my street, unable to get near 2000rpm. I parked up, gave my mate a lift home in my mums car and by the time i got back it seemed to be fine when i moved it into my drive. I disconnected the battery over night and when i moved it this morning it seemed fine again. D idnt risk talking it to work though.

 

Im just about to pop out and do an ECU check.

 

Anybody got any ideas whats up?

 

Cheers

Scott

Mine ran like a bag of nails when one spark plug had died? But it didn't sound as bad as your description.

i reckon PTU or MAF

I reckon PTU. Do the ECU check or get a ConZult on it for more clues.

Well what do ya know.. code 55.

 

I was thinking MAF or PTU myself but dont really have anyway of checking. Dont have a conzult either. :(

It probably would have been pretty hot last night too. (havent fitted after market quage yet, and we know how good the standard one is :rolleyes: ) I was sitting in q's for up to an hour. Could that effect the PTU? Still got a serious 1.

 

I only moved it about on the drive there but there was no problems.

Given that the fuel pump was running when it should not and the engine light was on then it points to a failing ecu, worth checking the ecu plug though, has the ecu been chipped? maybe when been socketed some stray solder has moved and is shorting across tracks intermittently?? nearly all failed ecu `s I have dealt with ( all cars) use the engine check light to signal ecu failure, sounds like it was running in limp home at some stages.

 

 

Jeff TT

Given that the fuel pump was running when it should not and the engine light was on then it points to a failing ecu, worth checking the ecu plug though, has the ecu been chipped? maybe when been socketed some stray solder has moved and is shorting across tracks intermittently?? nearly all failed ecu `s I have dealt with ( all cars) use the engine check light to signal ecu failure, sounds like it was running in limp home at some stages.

Jeff TT

 

Yup, the ECU has been chipped. Well over a year ago though. I'll give it a wee check. I did unplug the ECU last time this happened (aswell as doing a few other things) and it ran fine afterwards.

 

I'll have a look when i get a spare 5 mins.

 

Cheers

Scott

My car has gone fookin kookoo!

 

I was driving home from Falkirk last night at around 12.30 and the car started seriously spluttering and hesitating. This has happened once or twice in the past. A couple of times i have just stopped the car, started it again and all is hunky dorey. Last time however, it wouldnt run until i had cleaned all connectors, sensors reset ECU etc..

 

anyway, i pulled up hoping it would be ok when i re started it but nope! It kept spluttering, revs dropped and it cut out. Engine light flashing on and off. Car would not go above 2000rpm. I tried a good few times but no improvement. I gave some of the connectors a wiggle but that was all i could do as it was pitch black and i was in the middle of the sticks. Eventually i managed to pull away. Engine light on, spluttering like hell up to about 2500rpm and then a bit clearer after that, but defo not running on all cylinders. I drove like this for about 5 miles til i got in a town.

 

I pulled up, stop the car and started it again. All was fine. I drove another 10-15 miles and when i was half way along the bypass it started playing up again. I was sitting at around 70mph and there was no power. Took foot off accelerator and back on. all fine. 10 seconds later same thing... This happened a few times then the engine light came on. Again spluttering really badly. Had to pull up. Car would not go again. I noticed when i turned the ignition on the fuel pump would stay on. Take the key out and it was still on. Then off. Then it would be ok, then randomly come on. It had a mind of its own. After a while i managed to get it going again. Engine light still on and running like shit, but it was only a couple of miles to home.

 

I eventually rolled into my street, unable to get near 2000rpm. I parked up, gave my mate a lift home in my mums car and by the time i got back it seemed to be fine when i moved it into my drive. I disconnected the battery over night and when i moved it this morning it seemed fine again. D idnt risk talking it to work though.

 

Im just about to pop out and do an ECU check.

 

Anybody got any ideas whats up?

 

Cheers

Scott

 

Would an ECU store the codes after being disconnected for so long?

Is it not best to read error codes when the car faults rather than leave it till the morning or day after or even so checking error codes after the battery has been disconnected, better to check for error codes right away as car faults with ignition still on, dont switch it off, see what codes are recorded.

 

Maybee i am wrong but thats what i would do.

 

Cheers John Crisp

Is it not best to read error codes when the car faults rather than leave it till the morning or day after or even so checking error codes after the battery has been disconnected, better to check for error codes right away as car faults with ignition still on, dont switch it off, see what codes are recorded.

 

Maybee i am wrong but thats what i would do.

 

Cheers John Crisp

 

Yeah, i agree but it was about 3am before i got home and i was headed for one place. Bed! The reason i disconnected the battery was because of the fuel pump. It was just staying on at times. Even when the key was completely removed. If it plays up again, ill do the ECU check straight away.

 

Cheers

Scott

Hi Scottywil

 

Had it been raining? Just yhat I noticed you got a K&N cone filter.

 

If my car is parked front enf pointing down hill and it rains. Then the filter gets wet and the car will only rev to between 3500 rpm and 450 rpm. Once its dry it fine and if its raining while I'm driving it doesn't bother it.

Hi Scottywil

 

Had it been raining? Just yhat I noticed you got a K&N cone filter.

 

If my car is parked front enf pointing down hill and it rains. Then the filter gets wet and the car will only rev to between 3500 rpm and 450 rpm. Once its dry it fine and if its raining while I'm driving it doesn't bother it.

 

Nah, it wasnt raining. I had washed my car a few hours befor hand though. I doubt it would have taken so long to effect it though.

Would an ECU store the codes after being disconnected for so long?

 

I think it does, I did a check a morning after my battery was off....