Technical Help please??

[sfspider]

Sorry to dive in for advice, rather than spend hours reading back to see if anyone else has come across this porblem but my need is great! I am going on holiday on Friday in My Doblo and suddenly (Sod's Law) my 4 year old 1.9 JTD Dobby has developed a fault.

I had my MOT yesterday and it passed without issue. However, today when driving to work, suddenly it sometimes hesitates when I put my foot on the accelerator. Not everytime - but just occasionally. I put my foot down and for a few seconds there's nothing there. The engine doesn't stall and there are no warning lights. Just a definite hesitation - it soon picks up and drives otherwise as normal.

I'm (hoping to) drive from Beds to Yorks on Friday and have a week in lovely Yorkshire with the inlaws. You know how you get stressed when the car suddenly develops a sporadic fault. I'm cursing, I can tell you.

Obviously I'll call the MOT centre in the morning, but any suggestions???? I'm desperate.

 

[T14086]

likely culprits are airflow meter or EGR valve.

 

[sfspider]

Somebody else says injectors?

Are either of those big jobs and, if I wait till I get back, whats the chances of breaking down altogether?

 

[sludgeguts]

You've not been putting supermarket fuel in the tank have you?
My diesel has been a bit temperamental lately since I put 10 gallons of tesco finest in last week.
I'm also aware of a few people with dead petrol engines caused by supermarket fuel (the only common connection the garage can think of).

 

[sfspider]

Yes I wondered about that... when it first happened on the way home tonight I was on the last quarter tank, so I topped up with some fresh fuel to see if that would improve matters and for 20 minutes or so, there was no further problem. Then when I went out again a little later, back came the problem :bang:

Two days before my first motoring holiday in years.

 

[sfspider]

Been reading back and it seems that the EGR is a strong candidate. Bloke in the local Fiat garage confirmed that this is a common problem. They've taken it in this morning so fingers crossed. Thanks fellas and I'll let you know what the diagnosis is.

 

[TwyRob]

Good luck, I've had EGR fault diagnosed as diesel pump and numerous other things. Could disconnect it and see. Illegal (cos of emmissions) but is a temporary fix. (sort of)

 

[sfspider]

Thanks for your help/suggestions folks. It proved to be the brake lamp switch. Couldn't understand how this was the case when the computer diagnosed it. But the switch is one of the sensors that regulates the fuel flow. Switch cost £7.67, sadly, however the diagnosis cost £47.66 and the whole job was £84.51. Still, job done. Just back from my week away and the Doblo was back to normal

 

[sludgeguts]

Thanks for your help/suggestions folks. It proved to be the brake lamp switch. Couldn't understand how this was the case when the computer diagnosed it. But the switch is one of the sensors that regulates the fuel flow. Switch cost £7.67, sadly, however the diagnosis cost £47.66 and the whole job was £84.51. Still, job done. Just back from my week away and the Doblo was back to normal

:bang:

So, a ten bob switch dictates fuel flow?
I suppose they figure that they must cut the fuel to bare minimum under braking but surely there must be a better way of telling the computer you are braking/slowing down?

 

[toad101]

thats an expensive diagnostic my local fiat alfa dealer only charged me £28
although i've noticed alot of people being charged £40+

 

[sfspider]

:bang:

So, a ten bob switch dictates fuel flow?
I suppose they figure that they must cut the fuel to bare minimum under braking but surely there must be a better way of telling the computer you are braking/slowing down?

That's exactly it. Crazy innit? But that's modern cars for you. To be fair, they didn't just accept the computer diagnosis - they did drive it around a bit to make absolutely certain. And they did do it at the drop of a hat to get me on my holiday. But 80 odd quid for a £7 switch still smarted a bit!

 

[NumanR]

I wonder how you would design a cheaper way for the engine ecu to know that your foot is on the brake?