Seicento fiat seicento lack of power on acceleration.

[stingray20]

Hi people.Im new to this but im hoping someone can help with an engine problem on a 1.1 sx seicento.This is my 3rd seicento to date and I have never come across this problem before but here goes

It starts and idles fine.

I press the accelerator and it wont rev at all as if its choked to death.

You get it going (eventually) and at 30 mph it runs fine until you have to slow down.It doesnt stall it just hesitates a lot as if its about to backfire.

The engine warning light comes on if its stood idling and you press the accelerator then goes off once you take your foot off the gas!

Please help as I am a single parent and rely on my car a lot.

 

[fingers99]

Try and find someone who'll read the codes for a pint. Anything else is just guessing. Post the codes here.

 

[stingray20]

hi thanks for your advice but its had 2 diagnostic checks which cost a small fortune and no error codes came up!!!

 

[Ouby]

I thought error codes are stored on the ECU for a while?
Personally I trust the competance of most garages about as much as I trust the honesty of MPs with their expenses.
Best bet is to post your approximate location, hopefully someone will help you out.
Little more info wouldn't go amiss either -what year? what maintenance has been done? what's been replaced recently? etc

 

[fingers99]

I thought error codes are stored on the ECU for a while?

Or else, one which can record live data should pick it up. You can pick up a suitable program or code reader very cheaply. Hence

Try and find someone who'll read the codes for a pint

.

There may be someone nearby if you post, as Ouby says, your location.

Likely culprits are MAP sensor or lambda, but I'd not replace either without swapping out a borrowed one or further clues.

 

[stingray20]

Hi thanks for the advice.The car is 2001 model with 74000 miles on the clock.The crankshaft sensor was replaced about 6000 miles ago by previous owner and it has been fully serviced recently.I have a fuel filter on order but fear replacing this may not help as the problem is much bigger than this.I think it will be a case of replacing things systematically starting with the cheapest item !!

 

[fingers99]

Fuel filter on post 2000 cars is not a service item.

Have it your own way. Cheapest part to start with is the MAP sensor.

 

[aidanhd]

Have you tried the spark plugs/leads?

 

[rallycinq]

silly thought, has the timing jumped. No parts cost, just check alignment.

Cheers

D

 

[stingray20]

ht leads and spark plugs replaced in december 2012.Ive replaced the maf sensor and still no difference !! where to next ?

 

[Pep0]

ht leads and spark plugs replaced in december 2012.Ive replaced the maf sensor and still no difference !! where to next ?

try adding 50mls of kerosene to full tank of petrol

 

[stingray20]

What will this do before I try it?

 

[fingers99]

I'd not do it. Theory is that it cleans the injectors. In practice, this doesn't sound like injectors and a tankful of Shell would do a better job.

Check the timing, as Rallycinq says.

 

[Pep0]

Sorry I'd assumed they had checked the timing already since they need the auto and it is difficult to drive...

 

[stingray20]

Hi guys.Timing is ok and fuel pump ok.Do we go for coil packs next or new ecu ? although still no error codes but engine warning light still comes on and goes off again when trying to accelerate.

 

[fingers99]

Find someone with a decent code reader.

If the ECU light comes on, there will be an error, pending or logged.

If it's not misfiring it won't be the coils. Likewise, if not misfiring, it won't be the ECU.

 

[Malfunction]

Find someone with a decent code reader.

If the ECU light comes on, there will be an error, pending or logged.

If it's not misfiring it won't be the coils. Likewise, if not misfiring, it won't be the ECU.

I agree with fingers99 if the engine light has come on then there has to be an error code? Remember not all ODBC readers can read all cars unless expensive ones, and Fiat is different from most? Mine only reads Fiat and a couple others and that's it?

Have you checked fuel pump to ensure providing enough juice or not a parcialy blocked fuel filter?

 

[Malfunction]

I thought error codes are stored on the ECU for a while?
Personally I trust the competance of most garages about as much as I trust the honesty of MPs with their expenses.
Best bet is to post your approximate location, hopefully someone will help you out.
Little more info wouldn't go amiss either -what year? what maintenance has been done? what's been replaced recently? etc

Error codes are stored until manually deleted, unless some new cars have decided to change this or whats the point in them.

 

[Ouby]

The ECU will be a IAW59f M1 (or poss IAW59f M7) so it will log error codes even if the engine management light is no longer illuminated.
I've got a budget hand held code reader that does all you could require, read/clear fault codes, live mapping etc.
I pointed out what the OP should do 15 posts ago, if they want to fanny around changing everything on the car then it's up to them- a costly exercise if you ask me.

 

[stingray20]

Ok thanks everyone.Its had 4 diagnostic checks by different people and the last errors in the memory said coil packs but I had been taking the leads off and checking them so may have caused the fault reading.I have a mechanic (no not Ed china) coming to see what he thinks on Saturday and depending on the outcome anyone want to buy a Fiat Seicento in vgc apart from engine for £300 ? Cheers.