Fiesta auto stalling

Jul 02, 2004 9 Replies
M

My neighbour's Fiesta LA (1994, 34,000 miles, CVA auto, inj.), is stalling when she stops at lights and junctions.



I've had a look and found that when standing still it often stalls when going from neutral to drive or into reverse, but not always. The plugs were black and sooty but gapped correctly, and there's a split-second (but very noticeable) hesitation from the engine when you first press the accelerator. 'Box fluid level is fine, air filter is clean.



I would say that the hesitation is causing the stalling as it doesn't hesitate every time you press the accelerator, and it doesn't always stall either.



Any ideas, lovely people?



Si


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M

CVA?? CVT

Si

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M

If it's any help to form a diagnosis, the plugs are sooting up very quickly and the engine really struggles to idle sometimes - the revs are up and down like a yo-yo. Seconds later and it behaves perfectly normally, into gear and out without any problem at all.

Si

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Dodgy connection to or dodgy coolant temp sensor, OR air temp sensor. These CFi's are plaugued with problems though- probably best to work right through it checking everything.

I've lost count how many i've worked on.

Tim..

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M

Thanks, I thought it might be some sensor or other. Do they generally fail completely or can they work intermittently?

I'll have a fiddle with all the wires to see what happens.

Si

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M

You may find that the constant stalling and restarting the engine is what is sooting up the plugs. I'd guess it is worse when the car is cold.

The problem is the transmission. Most auto specialists can quickly diagnose and fix the problem.

If it's a hydraulic clutch engagement, a replacement of some parts in the valve body is usually the solution.

If it's an electromagnetic clutch, it might need a new clutch.

My Fiat had this problem (same transmission) when I bought it, it cost me £150 in 2000 to have the CVT fixed, it was still going strong in May this year when I sold the car.

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M

Thanks. This is what I thought when I first heard of the problem but the sooty plugs and the lack of idling made me think it was something else, and it was...see above :o)

Si

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M

You, Sir, are a star. It was the air temp. connector! It looked slightly grey in the female side so I squirted it with WD40 and poked about with a paper clip and a load of grey gunge came out. Put it back together and it started, idled, and I couldn't make it stall no matter what I did! Many thanks, I owe you one.

Si

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M

Oh heck! I'll get me coat. Glad you got it sorted though!!

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No, the fault is caused by overfuelling and chokes the engine to a stall. ATS's are commonly faulty on this engine as they often run very lean (another fault!) and spit back. The first item in the firing line is the ATS in the aircleaner lid which you often find melted or with the connector making a dodgy contact.

Tim..

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