Technical Stilo won't go over 1500 RPM

[steve74]

1.9 JTD Stilo won't go over 1500 RPM

Before I start, I have no idea about cars so won't be able to do anything to fix the car myself but really want to know if what I describe is a known fault or one that anyone knows a fix for.

The car is a 2005 1.9 Active JTD bought privately 4 months ago and has done 44137 miles.

About 2 weeks ago the car started to have a problem whereby it wouldn't go above about 1500 RPM and therefore couldn't get the car any kind of speed. This would happen randomly but usually from a standing start while at traffic lights, fro example, and within the first 5 minutes of the journey. Sometimes power comes back after a few seconds, but one time t never came back, and that's when I took it, slowly, to the garage for the first time.

I took it to my local garage who I have used for years and they hooked it up and said the diagnostic check came back with nothing. They did the following:

- Replaced air filter
- Added injector fluid
- Removed complete air box, turbo pipework & air mass metre and cleaned out and removed oil residue

This seemed to solve the problem but 10 days later it was back and it was back in the garage yesterday. This time mentioned a possible sensor error and they replaced the air mass metre but the problem still persisted. They put the old air mass metre in and didn't charge me for that.

They suggested going to a FIAT dealer but warned this could be pricey and may not get a solution. The other suggestion was trading it in, but I obviously wouldn't get much for a car with a fault.

Is this problem something someone else has encountered and what did you do? Should I go to FIAT or will this be pricey, though less than getting a new car I assume.

thanks in advance for any suggestions

Steve

 

[cledan]

It sounds a bit like the problems we used to have with the Alfa's, and often it seemed to be MAF related, my old car used to randomly cut out at traffic lights, until I changed the MAF.
My Dad had a 105 jtd Marea, which wouldn't go over 3000rpm, until we changed the MAF, the test for the MAF is simply to temporarily disconnect the wires leading to it, your engine light will come on but no matter, if it solves the problem it would be the MAF- Cheap pattern part MAF's caused almost as many problems as old worn MAF's,get a genuine part. and they are fragile (and expensive) things, any oil on them and they play up...Also you need to find out why oil is on your MAF,turbo etc, there could be something more serious afoot I fear.

there seems to also be talk on here about other issues and solutions, but I haven't yet encountered these, so will leave any other suggestions to those in the know

 

[Shadeyman]

Its sounds like you dont have enough power to go above 1500 rpm. That suggests to me the car isn't producing enough(if any) "boost".

I'm pretty sure you have a faulty MAP sensor.
The MAP sensor senses the amount of boost the turbo is producing, the Engine ECU then regulates the turbo to acheive the correct amount of boost.

Replace the MAP sensor.

Make this guy and offer?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAP-SENSOR-FIAT-STILO-PANDA-500-HONDA-JAZZ-MERCEDES-/390137602386

 

[steve74]

Thanks guys.

They did talk about a sensor, is that not the air mass metre that they replaced to no effect? As the problem only happens during the first 5 minutes of a journey, would that still indicate the sensor being at error?

many thanks

 

[Shadeyman]

MAF = Mass Air flow

MAP = Manifold Air Pressure(I think)

Disconnect the MAF sensor and you'll not notice much difference when driving.

Disconnect the MAP sensor and you'll have complete power failure and the engine management light will come on.

They are completely different sensors, if your passing Wolverhampton I have a spare you could try to see if it cures the problem.

They're not difficult to replace, just make sure you buy the correct one for your car.
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[richydraper]

close shades... Manifold absolute pressure

sounds to me like a MAP sensor issue too or possibly boost solenoid fault.

As said disconnect to confirm or deny

 

[steve74]

I had the MAP sensor replaced yesterday and the problem is still there. I have it booked in for FIAT to take a look on Monday. Unless they can come up with a definite fix I'm getting rid - it's becoming a money vacuum at the moment.

thanks for all the suggestions

 

[Shadeyman]

If your near Wolverhampton I'll connect FES to it, find out what error codes it has and try and cure it for you.