General help problem with multipla engine management system

[siavilla]

Hello
I have had no end of problems with my multipla,but a new one has come up.The car is de-accelerating for a second when driving normally and bleeps at me saying engine management system contact garage,it does this every 400 yards or so constantly losing power for a second then going back to normal - has anyone any ideas what the problem could be -I have already spent £1000 on this car and its bleeding me dry
thanks simon

 

[JTDman]

Poss crank sensor ? does it worse when its hot?

 

[siavilla]

Hi
Its actually doing it from cold,it happened for the first time today got about 300 yards up the road when I lost power for a second followed by the engine management fault bleeping,followed by a return to full power which then kept happening at 400 yard intervals for the 4 mile journey

 

[momoe]

It would be useful if you could obtain a diagnostic read-out, this might pinpoint the problem area.
Before you do anything check the battery is good and check the earthing straps, might also be worth checking the small white connector in the passenger footwell under the carpet, many threads on this forum about the grief this can cause.

 

[urchin]

as said above you really need to have the fault codes read where are you? dont forget if you are on the fiat forum stand at shows there is usually someone on the stand who will read your codes for free. next show is Gaydon auto italia on 11th september if its local and you fancy a day out.

 

[dadto4]

hi mine is doing exact same thing and have just had a diagnostic check done to it and it is the accelorator sensor which is knackered it feels like a flat spot wen accelorating and been told only place to get it from is fiat and it just short of 200 quid for the part unless u get from scrap yard bit i am just wondering if the engine changed from when brought out to now

 

[momoe]

Check this forum for the notorious white connector in the passenger footwell, this connects the throttle potentiometer to the ECU.
Numerous potentiometer problems have been traced to this connector, worth disconnecting and cleaning up (or even soldering up) before you shell out for a new throttle pot.

 

[QinteQ]

Origin here

Basics are :

- has a hiccup, but does not cut out
- hits a ' flat spot ' then does a ' Lazarus '
- has no problems restarting

You should eliminate the infamous white connector, its cost free and takes all of 60 seconds, do it before spending a penny and even .. .. .. before asking for advice.

The black cable from the potentiometer bottle above the throttle pedal traverses left behind the stereo to the passenger side, it carries a varying ohms resistance message [ depending on the throttle position ] to the ECU via the white connector You will get the injector light and at least 3 unrelated code errors from this dirty connection. Garages charge £150 at least for a potentiometer replacement when in truth they just clean or make good the white connector.

If you are foːɐ̯ʃpʁʊŋ dʊɐ̯ç ˈtɛçnɪk, then go the whole hog and solder & sleeve it, but most times just pulling it apart 5 or 6 times is enough to make a good electrical contact.

NOTE : A black cable goes from the throttle bottle above the accelerator behind the radio and heater controls to the passenger side footwell bulkhead. You will see an eight or six white multi connector, its the only white one under the NS bulkhead.