406 0 to 140 in 0 seconds

Apr 30, 2006 1 Replies
C

Hello, I wonder is anyone has encountered this problem on a 406



When I started my car this morning it refuses to idle, the engine revs dip a couple of times and then drop to nothing and the engine cut out. Here's the very odd thing.. when the engine was running, the speedo was jumping from 0 to 140 mph and back to 0 over and over again - even though the car was standing still.



A few months ago the speedo started to fail intermittently after a long (100 mile or so) journey, but has been ok recently. Could this be related?



Car is a petrol guzzling 1997 406 GLX



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D

Our 306 1.4l did this a few months ago. One evening it wouldn't start (but starter would turn), then try again and it did start, but speedo was going bonkers + the rev counter, clicking from relays and stuff. It drove for a few meters, lurched and then stopped. Restarting didn't work. After a while it worked again, for a few more meters at 140mph ;)

Called the AA out who after a short time diagnosed it as a broken earth lead. Turned out the -ve earth from the battery went to the gearbox and then onto the chassis. Break was at the crimp on the mounting point between gearbox and chassis - so engine had earth (hence starter worked) but chassis earthed equipment (eg. ECU and the rest) didn't. When the lead moved back to touch the gearbox, it would run/start, when it moved away again, it would stop. The bonkers speedo reading must be due to the intermittent connection.

He fixed it with parts he had (£4-£5) and everything's fine again.

Might be your problem.

D
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