Technical Engine cuts out while driving and at standstill, help please!

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Technical Engine cuts out while driving and at standstill, help please!

zeroxc

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Hi, hope you're all well.

As the title suggests, my 2007 GP was driving fine at the weekend and I'd been on the dual carriageway and everything was great. I got to my destination, parked, and an hour later I went to drive off and the car stalled as I was driving at about 2mph. The car started fine and then cut out while at a standstill.

I filled the oil, just in case, gave it five mins and started it again and it cut out while in first gear again. It then sounded like it struggled to start, misfiring a bit.

No dash warning lights are showing.

A friend checked a (dry) spark plug while it started and said there was no spark being generated as it struggled to start, and then eventually did spark when it started. They suggested it could be the ignition coil pack or an issue with the earthing.

Before I went any further in taking it to a mechanic, I wondered if either or these sound like the likely culprit? Trying to save money if I can do the repair myself...

Thanks very much
 
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Hi, thanks for the quick reply!

Had the car for six, seven years - not been serviced but only do about 3,000 miles a year. Only problem I've ever had was the starter motor needed replacing a year ago.

It only struggled after it had stalled a couple of times, could it be starting the car a few times drained the battery a bit and that was the cause of that? The windows sounded a bit flat so I wonder if it was low battery power causing that (the battery was changed about six months ago).

The oil was fairly low, although I usually keep an eye on it every few months.

Thanks again, appreciate it!
 
could it be starting the car a few times drained the battery a bit and that was the cause of that? The windows sounded a bit flat so I wonder if it was low battery power causing that (the battery was changed about six months ago).
If the car stalls after running for a minute or two, it wouldn't be the battery. You would most likely see a battery warning light, but it would mean the alternator is having trouble. Once a car has started, the battery is no longer being used (it is actually being charged), unless you have a MASSIVE accessory setup, like 12 speakers, 3 subwoofers, and extra halogen light rack on full power, or some other crazy stuff and subsequently the alternator wouldn't be able to keep up with the drain. In that case, it would start to drain the battery, and if the battery was almost dead, then it might stall the car. But with a "normal" battery, it would still take at least 20 minutes or so, if the alternator was completely gone, and maybe an hour or more if the alternator is ok, but the drain is too heavy.

But since you are able to restart the car after a stall, it certainly is not a dead battery. The car wouldn't restart at all, as the battery is empty and will stay empty until recharged with a charging device outside of the car.

Remember, for an engine to run, it needs:

1. Spark (test: spark plugs, coil pack, battery)
2. Air (test: air filter or the air "plumbing" is not clogged by a dead animal or a plastic bag :) )
3. Fuel (test: injectors and fuel line pressure)
4. Compression (test: how much pressure you have - should be 100 PSI or more - especially since you mentioned misfiring (= no spark to ignite the power stroke, or too low pressure to do it correctly)

So, I would also start debugging from the spark plugs and coils. Then verify the compression. That should give you some more hints about what causes the issue.

Edit:
Here's a nice and thorough "checklist" for misfires: http://www.autotap.com/techlibrary/diagnosing_misfires.asp
 
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Thank you, I think I may have misinterpreted a misfire as when it struggles to start. When the engine was on it sounded fine, even the revs were constant and consistent until the stall.

In terms of the spark plugs, fuel injectors and fuel pressure, I imagine there would be noticable sound issues coming from the car, which fortunately there wasn't!

The air filter only had two small leaves thankfully (which are now cleared!).

The battery I would hope is ok as you've mentioned above, so the only things I can't check at the moment is the coil pack and the compression pressure.

It looks like it's £15 for a seconf hand coil pack online, think it's worth a pop before I call a mechanic? Any other suggestions are also greatly appreciated! Thank you again!
 
1. You need diagnostic interface (like ELM327 + FES or MES program) to check stored error codes.
If there was misfire or something else (spoiled sensors like TDC crank sensor), computer should catch that (with or without flashing "check engine").

2. Engine to run needs:
- needs to rotate/spin crankshaft and "TDC sensor" (and ECU) must pick it up,
- needs fuel (your car is "abused" almost abandoned condition - makes only 3000 miles/year, so fuel pump inlet can be clogged, injectors can be sticky), check the pressure (3,5 bar if I remember right),
- needs air, and intake system must be sealed, especially at the throttle body and below, including vacuum hoses ("breather" - PCV system - and brake servo). ECU must see how much air there is, so MAP sensor is to be checked. Throttle body must be fairly clean, flap/butterfly (it is NOT closed all the way at idle on purpose, there must be small gap - that's the idle air dose).
- needs spark, so obviously sparkplugs, cables, coil pack must be inspected - which is not easy,
- needs correct timing (means timing belt itself - yours is old, but also valve clearance adjustment - never done in your car I guess - it can stall the engine), and then compression (incorrect valve lash can spoil it, seized/worn piston rings too),
- needs to "exhale", exhaust system sealed, 2 lambda sensors good, catalytic converter too, muffler not clogged,
- GrandePunto model is known for electrical issues, mostly due to moisture getting into fusebox, ABS unit, alternator, all other cables/connectors rotting away (especially grounding/earthing points - there is a Guide for it).

NOT using a car too much annually (especially combined with short trips) wears it down significantly.
 
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Also wonder if it could be the crankshaft position sensor? Thank you!

Plenty of things it 'could be'... :eek:


Ok.. so you thinks its better..and you we worried when it didnt start perfectly.

It could well be spark plugs..

Take them out.. line them up in the order they were in the motor

Compare colours ;)

Take a pic too if you are concerned


DO keep an eye on fluid levels :)

Charlie
 
Agree with Charlie, as usual, spark-plugs inspection will already tell you a lot on engine's condition ...

BRs, Bernie
 
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