My Wife's car is a 2001 Brava 1.2 80SX. It's covered 42000 miles from new, of which 13998 were on it at 10 months old when we bought it.

Just recently, it's developed a bit of a "judder" or hesitancy when accelerating. When your accelerating in it, the revs/ acceleration seem to disappear for a split second, then re-appear (comprehendable??).

This morning at 0730, she's gone out to it and it would not start. I went out at 1000 when I got up, and it started first time!

In addition, when she does have problems trying to get it to go, the clock on the radio resets itself to a flashing 0:00 and the distance recorded on the tripmeter resets itself to 000.

Being a typical lazy person, the cars now been serviced for a while and, only had the couple of bits done on it that it's needed for an MOT (new rear fog light switch, new rear 3rd brake light), but I HAVE (about 2 years ago) upgraded the relay to the remote central locking one, which works fine.

Can anyone give me an insight into this? If it was just the radio/ tripmeter displays, I'd have suspected the battery connections, but there's the judder/ misfire too.

I notice other people have commented on HT leads/ coil: I know the car needs servicing and intend to do air filter / plugs / oil. Are there any fuel filters etc that need doing that may be causing the judder?

Please note: I am NOT anything like mechanically minded so please - plain English would be LOVELY !!!!!

Thanks in advance,

Lee.

definately do the service and make sure you include the leads. they are often the cause of a misfire. decent ignition from new plugs and leads can help with the starting issue, hopefully will solve the misfire, and should pay for itself in better mpg.

the clocks reset when the battery voltage supply is cut, which suggests the battery is struggling to start the engine, especially on a cold start (when it is naturally more difficult to start). it could mean that you need a new battery, or maybe the car isnt used enough to keep the battery well charged. its had the same battery for 7 years so its due a new one. i would try that.

if it still has trouble starting after the service and battery then report back and we'll try again.

i have a brava 1.6ELX and although never had a problem starting it but when its cold there is also a a judder. it had a basic service a few months ago do i need to go a bit more and do leads etc?

Also on 2 seperate occasions about 2weeks apart on starting the engine the trip counter reset to 000 and both the speed and rev dial needles move to max then went back to the normal position, is this battery related? any help greatly appreciated

the cold judder is a common problem on the 1.6. it is usually caused by a faulty idle speed controller on the throttlebody.

when it reset to 0 was it the first start on a cold morning?

Thanks for that Guys.

Gives me an idea of where to start at least - hopefully the service should be successful!!


Regards,
Lee.

once on a cold start but the second time the engine was warm, i have bin told it could indicate a problem wit the key but surely if this was the case it would occure more often, its bin 2 months since the second time and had no other problem so should i jst dismiss it as some kind of quirk till it happens again??? other than this no other problems. im nearing 100k on the clock is their nything should be looking at replacing or checking on. im pretty useless when it comes to cars so ny pearls of wisdom are still greatly appreciated.