(T) Multijet - loss of power after cold start

I don't think that is normal. Mine used to rev to 3.5K from cold without issue.

[QUOTE=Trimdoner;1756446]

So out with the WD40.

I removed the two multiplugs on top of the ECU, sprayed the terminals and plugs with WD, and tried again.....and it started. Two cylinders at first, but after a few seconds back to all four. That was two months ago and it's been no trouble since.

Reply:

I tried the same with our Panda nearly three weeks ago, and so far the problem has not reappeared. Just before spraying the WD40 I noticed quite a bit of moisture around the ECU connectors. I`m really hoping this will cure the problem, since the dealer network doesn`t seem to have any answers! We`ve had some really poor weather up here recently, so I`m confident that this may be the answer.

I'm pleased it worked for you as well

Our MJ hasn't been any trouble since, so I'm considering doing a 'pre-winter' once over of all the plus and connectors, just in case.

Hi Thanks for this advice. I have a 2005 Panda Multijet 85k miles and just started all the same symptoms. You posted this as I had taken mine into Fiat. £65 + Vat for the diagnosis and surprise surprise the MAF was diagnosed. After much reference to this site the terminals were cleaned and touchwood no problems yet.
For those equally frustrated
Error was recorded as P0101 Air Flow meter signal, S.C. to ground. Intermittent

Under probable causes

Connections faulty
Wiring Continuity
Wiring Isolation
Air Flow Meter faulty

If error message is 'Signal not feasible' check also:
Air flow meter power supply(short - circuit)

Hopethis helps - armed with this info I actually found Fiat (Westover Poole ) very helpful.

The panda is a great little car. Economical and nippy (yes got a speeding ticket in the first week) Been to Spain and Back in it. What more could you ask for.

I plug my RAC code reader in every couple of weeks just to check, but haven't shown any error codes up to now. Even when the damned car wouldn't start, as mentioned before
Nearly 22,000 on the clock now, and it's not coughed or spluttered since WD40.
MPG still isn't brilliant though - even though driven as if the throttle pedal was connected to a needle touching my eyeball, the warmer summer months averaged low 60's tank to tank, but now the weather is colder it's back to mid 50's.

As it's getting close to a scheduled service ( 24K or 2year in April 09) has anyone had any experience of the 'third year dealer warranty'? A quick read through the exclusions in the handbook and it appears as though most items are excluded except a total engine explosion, and as my last dealer service was less than impressive - and £165 - I wondered if anyone had successfully claimed for anything under the third year warranty
If I service it myself it will cost about £35........

where is the ECU on a multijet Panda?

help where is it?

Big silver box with wires going in the top, on the passenger side of the air filter housing, above the clutch housing. You can't miss it..............

Slide the yellow plastic clips back, which then lets you pull the handles up to disengage the two big multiplugs.

Hi, we have a similar problem with our multijet, it normaly happens after rain but is fine once the engine has warmed up. I think it may be associated with water in the fuel as small diesels are very susceptible to very small amounts of water in the diesel.

We've also noticed steam coming from the exhaust particularly when the car goes up a hill from cold. This may be associated with the pick-up position in the tank and the movement of water in the diesel. Do these cars have a water separator in the fuel filter?

Try disconnecting the main lead on top of the ECU and spray both male and female parts with WD40. Reassemble. Cured ours completely.
Colin

3rd year warranty
I got the following replaced...

1. Boot lock switch
2. Indicator stalk
3. Radiator

AND my engine didn't explode...

Thanks for the feedback - as my MJ will hit 24k just after the New Year and well inside the 2 year period, I'll likely cough up for a service. Just in case..

FWIW, I didn't get round to doing the WD40 again - until a couple of weeks ago
After endless rain it wouldn't start again - off with the ecu plugs again for another dose of WD40. Back to normal once again

Excellent. I'm just starting to experience exactly the same problems on my little '05 now, although I've made it through to nearly 60,000 miles before it's started!
I shall use the advice gleaned on here and carefully flank the car in the morning when it's not expecting it and WD40 the little blighter!!


Where would we be without the mighty WD40?.......

popping this back up to the top as it goes with the other thread.

I'm summarising these three pages by:
WD40 on ECU and MAF plugs seems to be worth doing! Can someone reply in capitals if theirs goes wrong after doing this!!

Other plugs to spray might help with electronics - someone mentioned a switch getting sooted (chris@souls?) - where is this and can we do it ourselves - and what about this accelerator switch too??

I've had no more wet weather problems with our MJ since cleaning then WD'ing the ecu multiplug. I sprayed the ecu and the multiplugs with Halfords electrical cleaner first, let them dry then a quick blast of WD40.
Might not be a good idea to spray much WD around the maf sensor in case it gets sucked onto the element.

To expand on this a little, a comment by Dr Chris a while ago prompted me to remove the maf sensor and give that a good dowsing with electrical cleaner.
(My MJ had a flapping air filter lid for the first year of its life, letting unfiltered air straight in)
It's almost 4000 miles since I did this and my previously dismal mpg has risen from low 50's to just over 60. Possibly my car had a combination of dirty maf/faulty ecu plugs which caused poor starting in wet weather and poor mpg, but the first time I removed the ecu multiplugs there was a fair amount of moisture visible, which can't be a good thing.