Is there a safety cut out on the 1.1 Sporting?

My wifes Seicento keeps on losing all power at 3.2 rpm and then regains power when you change gear.
It then cuts out again at the same point and you need to change gear again to keep the car going.

After fifth gear there's no where else to go than to start changing down.

I've been told that it's the safety cut out working because the car has a major engine problem. Is that right? The advice was to change the MAP sensor so I did but it makes no difference.

Sounds like MAP or lambda. Worthwhile checking the hose to the MAP for any splits or leaks (I'm assuming SPI).

It's not a cut out as such, just that the ECU is getting wierd readings and can't work out what to do.

I take it the ECU warning light (looks like a little injector) is on?

I changed the MAP sensor without any difference. At £58 that's going back tomorrow.

I checked the small pipe leading to it too and it looked ok. The ECU warning light isn't coming on.

Where's the Lambda sensor and how much is it?

Check your crank sensor is ok

Kristian

Lambda's in the exhaust, just upstream of the cat.

Expect to pay ~ £70.

The lambda's a common one for partially dormant (undetected) failures.

Yeah, if no ECU light, then crank sensor (or the wiring to it) is a fair bet.

Who are you buying parts from? £58 for a MAP sensor seems OTT!

If its mpi, that price is very keen imho....not sure how much the spi's are though.

Kristian

On the MAP sensor that I bought today it had 100fpa printed on it. The one I took off had 105fpa.

Still didn't make any difference though.

Does the ECU light come on when the ignition is on, prior to starting?

Cheers

PD

Just been out and checked. Yes it does come on then goes out once started.

Good, sounds even more like the crank sensor is playing up. Check for cleanliness, and gap, then check the wiring is undamaged.

Cheers

PD

It's now booked into a garage for next Wednesday.

It's a garage that specialise in diagnostics and not so much on everyday servicing etc. They have an A1 reputation for finding obscure faults.

I was going to take it to a local FIAT dealer but they said that they would just stick it on a rolling road and charge for how long it was on there. They said it could take all day and at £75 an hour labour I decided to go elsewhere.

I'll report back next Thursday.

Just to let you know that the car has now been fixed.

It was at the garage for three days and they reported back regularly with the progress, or lack of it.

They found no errors on the log and the ECU was reading back perfectly.

They then checked all the wiring over then the timing and then the fuel system. Still no joy.

Next they stripped the exhaust down looking for a blockage in there. No!

The car was then taken to another specialist where it was all checked over again. Still couldn't pinpoint the problem.

Now at wits end they started to swap components over and when the got to the crank sensor they found the problem. When they looked at it they saw that it had been crushed internally. Only slightly but enough to stop it working.

They think that it must be the engine getting hot and expanding enough to do the damage. The mechanic said it was because the sensor is mounted in an aluminium housing which then sits in a cast iron moulding.

Anyway the car is now fixed. Cost her £170 with the sensor coming in at £38.

Now I've got a spare un-used MAP sensor for sale. Cost £50, pm me and offer more than £38 and it's yours.

Thanks for all your help on this problem. You've been great. :worship:

Glad its sorted.

Cheers

PD

Should have listened to the guy who made the 4th post, 1 week ago

smart arse

thanks for noticing, i do try to work out

//edit - I think watching Priscilla Queen of the Desert is rubbing off on me tonight
//edit 2 - i'll shut up now

kritip said:

Should have listened to the guy who made the 4th post, 1 week ago

Click to expand...

Or the 11th post!!

Cheers

PD

I did listen but I couldn't take the risk of buying a crank sensor only to find that wasn't the fault. It could also have been the Lambda sensor or the cat or the fuel filter. We could have gone on for ever.

Ok we paid more by taking it to a garage but at least it's now fixed and if it does go wrong again soon then at least we have the option of taking it back.

Phil...

No worries, I was only being silly after a few beers

Glad you got it sorted, and here's to many more happy trouble free miles