Technical Air FLow Meter - Punto 1.8 HGT (2001)

[ace2468blue]

Hi guys wondering if you can help with this one.

Ive got 2001 Punto 1.8 HGT that judders mid-flow of driving and cuts off when in low revs.

Ive been to the garage and had checks on the diagnostics, it came up clean without any errors. The guys at the garage cleaned the injectors and replaced some vacuum pipes and sent me on my way.

30mins later... I had the same problem. Following couple of days another trip to the garage. They didn't seem to keen and said they would have a look. Upon picking the car up they said they took it for a drive and it seemed fine, they stated it may have been a build up of crap in the tank that caused the problem. I took it away unimpressed and decided to do some reading and get some advice (my previous thread). :idea:

I returned to the garage the following week and left the car with them. They confirmed it was the AFM playing up and tried a couple of second hand ones. They stated that they were "no good" also, so I decided to call around (dont try 247spares on the net - idiots :bang. I found one and dropped it off at the garage. Once again they stated that this one was "NO GOOD"

The garage stated that I would need a brand new unit costing roughly £400 with a throttle body and that would sort the problem out "100%"

Am i being blagged again???
Are they really that expensive???
Whats wrong with the second hand ones??
Will it resolve the issue??

For the last few weeks the problem has got progressively worse and ive been driving the car around and stalling at every single set of traffic lights and in every single queue of traffic if the the car drops below 1000rpm. :bang: :bang::bang:

To keep it going Im constantly revving it and getting funny looks .
It's got to a point now where ive diconnected the AFM wiring (to keep it from stalling) and it really isnt fun at not being able to go over 3000rpm.

I really need some sound advice!!! :shrug:

 

[DaveMcT]

Its sounding to me like a case of "...needs a new ECU mate" syndrome. The throttle body is a fly by wire system so you need to be sure the stepper motor is working ok, but I really cannot see why that "must" be replaced along with the MAF. Unless of course that's the only option with Fiat spares.

My brother was given the same Megabux parts costs story for his Alfa 156 JTD 2.4. He got a Bosch MAF/AFM off ebay, fitted it himself and problem solved. He found the Bosch component number on his old MAF and bought one with the same number. It will take some research to get the right one, but dont give up just yet.

 

[sixpotman]

Is the 2001 1.8 fly by wire or throttle cable?

As this would determine how to solve the problem.

John

 

[DaveMcT]

Mine's a Y reg 188 with fly by wire.

 

[spedo]

It sounds like another outfit with a fault code reader, I am sure they will fix the problem if they keep changing parts on a hit and miss basis, but this will be at your cost, they should be doing some proper diagnostics.

Things that come to my mind with this sort of problem are:

1. IAC (idle control valve)
2. TP (throttle position sensor)
3. Fuel pressure regulator

If you have been getting poor fuel economy associated with a petrol smell then I may even suspect the EVAP canister purge valve.

I will take it for granted that the fuel pump connections have been checked, and you say the fuel injectors have been checked along with any vaccuum lines and have been ruled out.

 

[sixpotman]

Mine's a Y reg 188 with fly by wire.

In that case clean the throttle butterfly and casing.

Throttle relearn

Phonic wheel relearn.

if still having problems possible cam or crank sensor
showing signs of fatigue.

John

 

[bluematt1]

Hi guys wondering if you can help with this one.

Ive got 2001 Punto 1.8 HGT that judders mid-flow of driving and cuts off when in low revs.

Ive been to the garage and had checks on the diagnostics, it came up clean without any errors. The guys at the garage cleaned the injectors and replaced some vacuum pipes and sent me on my way.

30mins later... I had the same problem. Following couple of days another trip to the garage. They didn't seem to keen and said they would have a look. Upon picking the car up they said they took it for a drive and it seemed fine, they stated it may have been a build up of crap in the tank that caused the problem. I took it away unimpressed and decided to do some reading and get some advice (my previous thread). :idea:

I returned to the garage the following week and left the car with them. They confirmed it was the AFM playing up and tried a couple of second hand ones. They stated that they were "no good" also, so I decided to call around (dont try 247spares on the net - idiots :bang. I found one and dropped it off at the garage. Once again they stated that this one was "NO GOOD"

The garage stated that I would need a brand new unit costing roughly £400 with a throttle body and that would sort the problem out "100%"

Am i being blagged again???
Are they really that expensive???
Whats wrong with the second hand ones??
Will it resolve the issue??

For the last few weeks the problem has got progressively worse and ive been driving the car around and stalling at every single set of traffic lights and in every single queue of traffic if the the car drops below 1000rpm. :bang: :bang::bang:

To keep it going Im constantly revving it and getting funny looks .
It's got to a point now where ive diconnected the AFM wiring (to keep it from stalling) and it really isnt fun at not being able to go over 3000rpm.

I really need some sound advice!!! :shrug:

So have you got to the bottom of this problem Ive got one doing similar wont rev really unless ya tease it if ya hit the throttle it just coughs and dies diag comes up with air flow meter

 

[DaveMcT]

If its coughing out when throttle opened it might not be getting enough fuel so points to the air flow meter. But if it revs ok when cold then goes off when hot the main cat lambda could be suspect.

 

[ace2468blue]

I was referred to an Alfa and Fiat Specialist who reset the AFM to default settings and it still had the same problem. He made an 'Educated Guess' and stated that its the ECU that causing the problem.

I was given a shocking quote for a new ECU (worse than a new AFM). So now I have given up! Im washing my hands of it. It's on Ebay for Sale if anyones interested!

 

[bluematt1]

I was referred to an Alfa and Fiat Specialist who reset the AFM to default settings and it still had the same problem. He made an 'Educated Guess' and stated that its the ECU that causing the problem.

I was given a shocking quote for a new ECU (worse than a new AFM). So now I have given up! Im washing my hands of it. It's on Ebay for Sale if anyones interested!

Well I bought this one off of someone who had had it in a Fiat dealer and they diagnosed it as a throttle body / air flow meter said he could fit it himself or get his own mechanic to fit he lashed out the £400 for the part fitted it then guess what it didnt work said they have to fit it and set it up they tried with no joy so he demanded his money back and gave up so I thought Id have a go at it gonna get wiring diagram to start with and go from there.
How much was an ecu out of interest???
Mine has airflow meter error and wont delete engine light on.

 

[DaveMcT]

you could try one of the ECU repair companies who advertise on eBay. The guys in Derbyshire have had a good press.

 

[bluematt1]

you could try one of the ECU repair companies who advertise on eBay. The guys in Derbyshire have had a good press.

Well ive had a look at her today and established wiring checks ok from afm to ecu fuse ok also it shares a power/feed from ecu with phase/cam sensor checked for continuity and short circuit looks to be all ok and seing as other dealer tried a new throttle body with comes with afm I will be going down the ecu avenue going to try and get tested first bba reman going to be my 1st port of call.

 

[bluematt1]

I was referred to an Alfa and Fiat Specialist who reset the AFM to default settings and it still had the same problem. He made an 'Educated Guess' and stated that its the ECU that causing the problem.

I was given a shocking quote for a new ECU (worse than a new AFM). So now I have given up! Im washing my hands of it. It's on Ebay for Sale if anyones interested!

Well Ive fixed my HGT flies now are you still having problems ???????????

 

[MikeSalt]

bluematt, do you remember what was the fix for your car?

 

[HGT azul]

Hello my HGT 1.8 2003 has got the same problem, how did you fixed your car mate please let us know thank you!!