Hi there, I have a 1.6 Active Stilo. It started running rough today, I'm getting no error messages on the display, it doesn't seem the same as an ignition coil going as I've had them go before. Idle is fine...its when driving it keeps stuttering, but not all the time. Came down a duel carriage way and it was fine, but then when slowing or in traffic its playing up. Its got 64000 on the clock. Does this sound like sparks breaking down... I just thought I'd have a problem starting it, if a spark was going. Any advice appreciated

Edited to add...my exhaust is blowing ever so slightly, but still under guarantee and they filled the whole, but its gone again.....would this affect anthing?

The exhaust could be a problem, coil-packs can break down under load when driving & intermittently too... when did the car last have the TLC of a good Service?

thanks, I didn't know they could break down intermittently, I thought they either worked or they didn't. I do alot of miles so its always having something done to it, although it is due new sparks so will get them done anyway.

Ffoxy said:

coil-packs can break down under load when driving & intermittently too

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:yeahthat:Coils can give all sorts of strange symptoms, would deffo be the first thing to check...

I've just discovered that my 1.6 did 54k miles with a Sagem coil (the original). I never had any engine management lights as a result of it and the ecu never logged a misfire on the cylinder but the car was stuttering on acceleration. Maybe time to get the multimeter out . If the sparks are in need of replacement you may as well try that first for the sake of £15 but I'd say your best bet is probably checking the coils.

Good luck!

Right, the car has very kindly now given me a fault its reading P0204 Injector Circuit Open Cylinder 4. What does this mean?
I've not had sparks done yet, and I have ordered an Injection coil just in case. I'm not really mechanical so any ideas more than welcome. Trying to have a cheap fix, so if its something I can manage myself I will.

failed coil pack on number 4 mate (the coil pack on the gearbox side on the right looking into the engine bay from the front of the car), very very common as already stated. just get that changed and you will be fine. only a 5 min job to do as well
roy

Thanks, having changed them before I know I can do that, it was a bit process by elimination last time, but being a woman I think too much lol...so my question is, if your looking at the engine do they start from left 1-4 or from left 4-1, cheers

oh and the ignition coil is the same as a coil pack?

looking from the FRONT of the car towards it they start 1 on the left (water bottle side) to 4 on the right (gearbox side + battery side).
but you can always use the tryed and tested trial and error way (pulling one off at a time).
the coil packs are the ignition coils, much more efficent than the old school ignition coils + distributors of old.
roy

your a star Roy, thanks very much for info

Jo51 said:

Right, the car has very kindly now given me a fault its reading P0204 Injector Circuit Open Cylinder 4.

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roy lovelock said:

failed coil pack on number 4 mate

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The car is showing P0204 Injector Circuit Malfunction - Cylinder 4. Suggesting a fault in the wiring to the #4 injector or the operating coil of that injector.

Wouldn't a coil failure be showing:

P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected. or
P0354 Ignition Coil 4 Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction.

thank you for your replies, turned out to be the Spark Plugs....they were actually the orignals so they'd done pretty well lol