A friend of mine ran into a bit of bother today. He has a series 1 UK manual. It was driving fine for the most part of the day until he was pulling into a car park and the car started to loose power. He tried to give it some throttle but it just jerked slightly and wouldn’t take any power. The car then came to a slow stop. It didn’t over heat, good oil pressure and plenty of water in the radiator. Any suggestions??

Could be anything really, need more detailed description of how it was running.

 

Could be a faulty PTU (common fault) or AFM (MAF).

If it's OK after cooling down then likely to be the PTU.

If it runs but only up to 2500rpm then will be the AFM. Can also cause it to generally run rough and splutter and die.

Things to check are the PTU and AFM connections for corrosion and clean them up as a start.

 

Do a search on the above for loads of info.

Fuel pump? Fuel pump relay? definately sounds like fuel starvation. If not the PTU could have gone south.

Is the engine starting at all???

I havent had a chance to look at the car yet myself. But going by conversation with him, the car turns over fine but just wont start. He said the car has been running perfect up until today. No problems at all, and even as he was driving it today it was running fine. He was doing a long drive, roughly constant for about 1h 30mins and then as he was slowing down to pull into a car park in a travel stop it just startedloosing power then came to a slow halt and wouldnt fire up again. I Was talking to Smithy of Smithys Place, and he reckons it could be the PTU, AMF or carnk angle sensor.

car will at least try and start even with the AFM disconnected. If you can find a PTU to swap over and give it a try. Also, worth getting someone to listen for the Fuel pump in operation, as i siad, have had a few with this problem and was sually a PTU or Fuel pump relay.

Just waiting to see if he's going have the car brought to my place and I'll give all those points a look over.

Can anyone tell me how to do the manual Diagnostics check via the box on the passanger side foot well? I believe I have to turn a screw either clockwise or anti clockwise and count the flashing Red and LED lights.

Sudesh its a lot easier doing it this way...

 

http://www.aus300zx.com/tech/ecu_diagnotic/ECU%20Diagnostic%20Switch.htm

That is handy!!!! I think I need to purchase one of those data scan systems that have been mentiond too. Just to have handy.

That really is handy, been crawling in the passenger footwell since I have had it to do those checks, me thinks I will be fitting a little switch. Nice 1 matey. :bow:

couldnt be the cam belt could it? If you pull back the cambelt cover just a smidgeon you should be able to see if it moves round a bit when youtry to start the engine

I would hope for his sake it's not the belts!

I have a fuel feeling about this one.

simple test,if the ptu turns out good,check the fuel,by pulling the hose of the fuel filter,place removed hose over a cup and get someone to turn it over,if you dont get fuel then go from there relay/pump/ecu etc

AndyP, I Was talking to my friend there again and from what he keeps explaining, it does sound like a fuel problem or starvation of some kind. Thats also a Good idea greg!! Think I'll run a Diagnostics check first either via the foot well ECU or as V6Power explained. Then try everything else from there!

Just got this car in the yard today. I have been looking over, done the ecu test, code 55 flashes. Was going to check fuel pump but just want to ask the experts a few things first!! I can hear the fuel pump come on when the ignition is switched on but then it stops with a bit of a click coming from around the drivers side rear??? Could this be a fuel pump problem or relay as suggested by Andy P and V6power?

Right done the fuel check that GREG suggested. Fuel is flowing just fine!! So could it possibly be the PTU or Crank sensor. I take it when you do the ECU diagnostics it does not cover everything? Because the EU code I got is 55.

Ful pump sounds ok Sudesh, When you put the ignition on the Fuel pump primes itself (short click or burst). then when the engine is started, it switches on. will phone you soon mate.

mine had a problem like that, would turn over but not ignite, also kept stalling at low revs. took it to Zworx and mickey hooked is laptop to it, found out it was the little temp sensor at the front of the car. It kept telling the car it was too cold and cut it out (or sumthing like that)

 

Anyway its the one in the pic below

Thanks Zulley!! Was talking to my friend V6Power, who suggested the same thing also. So I have basically decided to get a series 2 PTU, temp sensor and crank sensor and go from there.

Dunno if this is gonna help, but had EXACTLY the same problem with mine. The problem was the alarm had been wired in such a way that the fuel pump cut-out was underneath the passenger footwell, so when the passenger shoved his size 12s in there, pulled it loose and voila! cost me £200 and a red face to fix at my local garage :slap: