Technical Coupe problem!

[Cristi Coupe]

First of all, hello all! I have bought a '96 fiat coupe 1.8 16v and i have a problem that is driving me crazy! The car starts and idles normally! But when i try to rev it up it almoast dies at 3500rpm! I can get it to go beyond 3500rpm but i have to lift the foot of the acceleration (just a little bit) and then i can accelerate it but to a point when i have to do this all over! i have changed the throttle possition sensor (somebody told me that it's almoast dead) but it still doesn't work! I have to mention that i don't have where to put it on a tester since every service i was in didn't even knew where was the connector for the tester was! (good mechanics)
Any advice would be welcome! Thanks in advance!

 

[Rustbucket]

Where do you live? Got a Fiat dealer handy?

That engine is the same 1747cc 4 pot from the Punto HGT / Barchetta. Not the hardest to work on or diagnose I'd have thought for a decent workshop.

Is the injector light on on the dash? Looks like a red shower head? If so its telling you its got an ECU fault that has to be cleared and you can't without the right equipment.
Easiest way to sort this is trot it down to a Fiat dealer with the diagnostic kit who can tell you immediately what's wrong...otherwise you are whistling in the dark.

 

[NigelO]

Sounds like the camshaft variator - the 1.8l engines are well known for this problem

 

[Rustbucket]

Could be ..the thing will sound like a tractor on startup if it is but the noise should cut off abruptly above 2500 revs...mine did before I had the variator changed, but the car still revved perfectly as the variator normally jams in 'fast mode'..wouldn't have expected it not to rev to redline.