On my way to work this morning I was coming down a hill to a set of lights (red) so as usual, I dropped it into 2nd and started braking but (with the clutch down) the battery and oil lights came on and the revs dropped to zero. As soon as I lifted the clutch though it was all normal again (as if it had bump started as it was still rolling downhill), now admittedly I had my music up quite loud so couldn't hear if the engine actually stopped or not but turned it off (the music) and the car was fine for the rest of the journey.

I've noticed her randomly stalling a couple of times before, usually either going up or down hills and at junctions (thankfully so I can restart the engine on a red light!). I've got a spare set of spark plugs, would it be worth getting a new set of leads and switching them out (they were only done about 5k ago, though that was a year back)? If that doesn't sort it, anywhere else I should look?

Cheers!

what was your fuel level like, also how much audio are you running off the stock battery? do you have any power caps? and has it ever stalled when the audio has been off?

i am not saying the audio is the problem but just thinking out aloud here, if you have alot of audio running off the stock sized battery it could be draining the battery faster than the alt can charge it thus when you have dipped the clutch and the revs drop there is no power left to run the engine, turning audio off then frees up the power allowing you to restart the engine, not saying it is this but its an idea

2/3 tank of fuel, only running about 400wRMS at the moment if that but I've run more in the past and never had a problem so I'm doubting it's going to be that. The engine 'restarted' (assuming it even stalled!) while the music was still going and it didn't even skip a beat. I didn't switch it off until about 2mins later when I came to a stop at another junction.

ok so that rules out audio related and fuel, hmmmmm its a strange problem, i hate intermitent problems like this, sometimes i just wish they would break and stay broke to make it easier to find the fault lol

If it helps, it does idle funny when first started and cold (didn't do it when it was warmer) but (just to confuse even more) when it was really warm last sunday and I was stuck in traffic the revs were barely above zero when stationary, had to hold the throttle open slightly to stop it stalling. I'm wondering if it's a sensor needing replaced

Clean all 3 earths. but it looks like the temp sensor in the inlet needs changing ..

Ming

I know the g/box earth is clean as that was done when the clutch was changed. Where are the others?

Connected to both inner wing.

And one should be on the head, the a tiny one for the ECU.

Might not help, but might as well clean them just incase.

Ming

Cheers, will try and get a look tonight if it stays dry for 5 minutes when I get home
Worth changing plugs/leads too anyway? I guess they'd be due after 12 months ...

When it gets dark, pop the bonnet see if you see any random blue sparks.

I don't think they are the problems tbh.

Ming

try this test. hand brake on. but car in 5th and slowly release the clutch without touching throttle. can you feel the car trying to pull but revs dont drop much. then when you press the clutch back down the revs should rise up quite a lot but quickly settle back to a normal idle.

if non of that happens then your problem is a dead/dying or dirty idle control valve. or the connection to it is dodgy. you can try the same test again with the valve unplugged. if you cant tell a difference with it unplugged it definitely points at a problem with the valve.

I'll give that a try craig, would it make a difference if I try it with the engine hot or cold or how about both? 'Cos I can give it a shot before I leave work and then again when I get home.

Done as you suggested craig (both hot and cold) and did exactly what you said it would, so I guess we can rule out ICV?

Did it again today - randomly stalled at traffic lights on the way to work. When I got home from work, I got changed and was going to take a quick run down the shops while the car was still warm - started it up and the revs were really low (under 100 if I had to guess) and it stalled again pretty soon afterwards.
It seems to only do this when it's hot, but doing it from stationary is now making me think ICV again. Anyone any bright ideas?

Please

I want to give this car to my mum (have got something slightly bigger in mind for myself soon) but would like it to be running well before I hand her the keys

Could be feul timing issue, crank sensor slightly too advanced or even engine timing could be out?

Thanks

Todger182 said:

Could be feul timing issue, crank sensor slightly too advanced or even engine timing could be out?

Thanks

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Excuse my novice question (this is how I learn ) but would that mean it's time to change the timing belt?

Edit: Just FYI the engine's only done 35k

If it's still on it's original then yea, you know it's all done then. Same goes for oils and coolant, give the whole car a good service if need be.

Thanks

Oil was done not long ago, along with filter and plugs and leads have just been changed, Coolant was less than 10k ago, pretty much only things not changed during my ownership (service wise) have been the belt and gearbox oil.
I'll have a look into getting a new belt, betting Fluffy is the man to speak to