please please help my car is doing my head in it is a brava 1.2 16v and it starts first time and runs well but it really struggles to tick over just not all the time !! this is very very infuriating when it does happen anyone had this prob ? if so what is it ? :bang:

Hello and welcome!

This was one of the first threads I posted when I joined, car was juddering when idle and threatening to cut out. Turned out it was due a service and replacing the air filter sorted it, but IIRC there were a few suggestions surrounding the idle valve screw or something like that

First thing to try is an ECU reset if you haven't already done one. As Helz says, make sure your air filter is good, if in doubt replace it then do the ECU reset

After that it's liable to be the idle control valve. Try tapping the valve when it's playing silly games and see if it makes a difference. Often cleaning the valve can bring it back to life as it sulks if it doesn't get attention now and again

It oculd be other things too of course; like plug lead breaking down, plugs wrong gap but work through the easy ones first
On my 1.2 when the idle went right down to 600rpm then up to 1000rpm and struggle, struggle had to heel and toe just to keep it going then it was the idle valve

When it just died when coming up to roundabouts etc but was fine on restart then it was an ECU reset required

Incidently, I recommend getting rid of the double pole spark plugs if you have them for single pole. Much better spark and noticeable improvement but again do an ECU reset after fitting

Hmmmm, car due a service later this week when it will be getting spark plugs replaced. Tell me about these single pole ones please

Nothing fancy, it's just that a lot of 1999 to 2000 1.2 Bravos were standard fitted with double pole spark plugs for supposedly longer life. The double poles are not really adjustable (although you can) but the single pole spark plugs which are perfectly interchangeable give a fatter spark and possibly better combustion

You can find the right ones for you here http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/

They seem to be a better deal than you can get in the shops and deliver fast too. They're the boys and will gladly advise you on choice of plugs and application

What's the difference between single and double pole? I am extremely new to this and may ask lots of silly questions (namely so I know it for next time and so the nice man in the garage doesn't catch me out and make me look dumb). Had a look on that sie's FAQ and it doesn't cover it.

Well like I said, the double pole is meant for longer life of plugs so longer service gaps between changing plugs. Think of them like a letter T. They don't fire on both gaps, once one side gap gets larger then it starts firing on the other gap until that erodes away.

With a single pole then the spark is smack in the middle. You may already have them fitted. 1999-2000 was a changeover time.

i noticed a better pick up and less stumbling at low revs with the single pole

Thanks Deckchair5 I'll speak to the mechanic next week and see what's in there. It might well be double pole as it's quite a long inter-service period but I'm going to start getting mini services as well I think so will look into single pole ones and see how we go!

nice one deckchair good advice thanx i have the heel toe scenario so gonna clean idle valve one quick question though how much am i looking at for an ecu reset ?
stuybuck

Do it yourself - leave the battery disconnected overnight

Thanx for that helz i did think about that but wasnt sure if it would work oh and im gonna get some of those single plugs
cheers

Its sound Like you have A CF2 engine. This idle control valve, controls idle speed and is also throttle potenometer.These used to go faulty a few times. But some time they used to loose Synchronisation with the fuel ecu and can cause this fault. This can only be reset by a dealer. But also some times by removing and refitting the fuel ecu plugs it can cure thses type of faults as they can some times be false connections.

ok guys, my engine is rumbling...my neighbour thinks its a loose engine mount or something but it vibrates alot at 800-3000rpm but after that its fine.....

ive never changed the plugs, air filter or anything since i got it but just had a brand new stock exhaust fitted...

any ideas??

Well I cannot advise on what maybe the cause of the rumbling and if an engine mount is loose or not.

But out of interest, when was the car last serviced? how long have you had it and was this a recent development?