Engine light, power loss, car with a mind of its own!

[Denise]

Hi,
I need some advice please, my car is turning into Herbie of the Love Bug!

I bought a 2001 51 plate 1.6 sx Bravo a few weeks ago and have the following problems:

1) the stereo goes on and off depending on whether the indicators are going on or off, same for if I put the window wipers on or off and same for the sunroof, it sometimes comes back on if I whack the dashboard but its getting annoying. Should I take the car to an auto electrician? (I am female and I can check the oil and change a wheel but other than that I am a bit useless!)

2) The engine light comes on, and either flashes for ages and then stays on, or comes on and then goes off again and I lose power in the car and struggle to get it going over 30mph, do you think this is a problems with the injectors?

3)The window wipers wouldn't turn off and go the bottom of the windscreen and you had to time when they were at the bottom and flick them off, but for the last few days they have worked properly, could there be something loose?

4)The back wiper screen wash has stopped working, I will follow the guidance notes on checking for a loose pipe on this one though.

Looks like I was sold a peach of a car, thankfully Bernie Bravo hasn't cut out on the middle of the Forth Road bridge YET but I would appreciate any advice on any or all of the above, thanks!!

 

[Denise]

And I almost forgot..........

..........problem number 5!!

Everytime I put the clutch down, there is a noise like a fan whirring, is this normal for a Bravo?

My purse is having heart failure at the thought of these costing a fortune but other than all the above it's a great car!

 

[Anonymous]

first check the power cables to the battery, especially the earth.with everything going haywire you have to suspect the intermitent power supply

 

[Denise]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice, I will check that tomorrow morning, fingers crossed that's all it is!

 

[Sven]

1. and 3. => Sounds like the stalk is playing up.

2. => When was the last service done ?

4. => Do you hear the pump under the bonnet ? Can also be stalk related.

5 => sounds like the clutch thrust bearing.

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[Denise]

Thanks,

Unfortunately I don't know when it was last serviced, it's done almost 49k though, would it be an idea to get it booked in?

I fixed the rear window sprayer, the pipe had came loose so I used your guide and glued it back in and it's working fine now, thanks for that!

As for the power loss, I couldn't get over 20mph with my foot flat to the floor coming up a hill today and the engine warning light was flashing the whole journey then the power kicked in again and the light went off.

I may be being dead stupid here, but have I to remove the steering wheel to get to the stalk to repair it?? If so, I take it I should disconnect the battery so the air bag doesn't knock me out?

Thanks again.
Denise

 

[Sven]

Yes for the stalk its a remove the steering wheel job - there is a guide in the repair section of the site.

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