Hi, twice had a worrying problem of total loss of power, first time accelerating on to M4 after a pee break, two weeks ago, second time coming off a roundabout yesterday. (So its not consistant) On both times it was as if ignition was turned off, dash went blank, followed by engine warning light. After about 5 mins was able to restart and continue. Any Ideas? Sorry if this has been covered before, i'm new here!
PS Car is 1999, 2.0 Hdi 110 (GTX Estate) Ta! Mike
Total loss of power.
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Re: Total loss of power.
My guess would be a dodgy ignition barrel but that wouldn't explain the engine light.
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
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HimBigChief
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Re: Total loss of power.
Can you not get the ECU fault codes read and see what they come back with?
Re: Total loss of power.
I wouldn't bother. First of all being a '99 he'll need to fork out £50 for a diag reading at the dealers, but that won't tell you anything (although they'll probably use any old codes stored to flog you £1000 worth of work) since it's almost certainly an electrical problem, not an engine management one.
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
Re: Total loss of power.
If the engine switches off and the ignition is still in the same position "on" with all the lights up, surely its not an ignition issue. The engine itself is switching off. Doesn't the ignition just turn on the car and turn it off again when turned again? I don't know what it is TBH but from what you describe happens the dash after the engine cuts out, it doesn't sound like the ignition is turning the car off.
2000 D9 Coupé 2.0 SE EW10J4 Scarlet Red - 5 litres of oil gone in 500 miles!!! Time for a new coupe me thinks
Re: Total loss of power.
eoin27 wrote:If the engine switches off and the ignition is still in the same position "on" with all the lights up, surely its not an ignition issue.
MicknChris wrote:On both times it was as if ignition was turned off, dash went blank
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
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Doggy
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Re: Total loss of power.
Several possibilities:
Dodgy ignition switch - (you could link it out temporary to see if the problem goes away, but you have to undo it to stop the engine, aslo BE CAREFUL not to turn the key off and lock the steering).
Dodgy battery / loose battery connection.
Intermittent bad connection somewher between battery / ign sw. / ecu.
One trick I've used with really obscure ones is to link two points which should be joined electrically, but where you suspect an intermittent open circuit, using a very small fuse, (say 50mA). If there genuinely is a bad joint between the two points the fuse will blow - if it doesn't try somewhere else.
Dodgy ignition switch - (you could link it out temporary to see if the problem goes away, but you have to undo it to stop the engine, aslo BE CAREFUL not to turn the key off and lock the steering).
Dodgy battery / loose battery connection.
Intermittent bad connection somewher between battery / ign sw. / ecu.
One trick I've used with really obscure ones is to link two points which should be joined electrically, but where you suspect an intermittent open circuit, using a very small fuse, (say 50mA). If there genuinely is a bad joint between the two points the fuse will blow - if it doesn't try somewhere else.
2002 HDi 2.2 Exec Estate, (2008-12) (wonderful)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
2003 HDi 2.2 6-speed Exec Estate (2012-19) (also a gem)
2009 Citroen C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ Estate (godawful heap)
2008 BMW E91 330i touring (great fun - murdered by a reversing SUV)
2007 BMW E91 325i touring (slower smoother quieter)
Re: Total loss of power.
Apologies. Please continuemjb wrote:eoin27 wrote:If the engine switches off and the ignition is still in the same position "on" with all the lights up, surely its not an ignition issue.MicknChris wrote:On both times it was as if ignition was turned off, dash went blank
2000 D9 Coupé 2.0 SE EW10J4 Scarlet Red - 5 litres of oil gone in 500 miles!!! Time for a new coupe me thinks
Re: Total loss of power.
Very nice tip there, although I'd suggest putting a low value resistor next to the fusedogslife wrote:One trick I've used with really obscure ones is to link two points which should be joined electrically, but where you suspect an intermittent open circuit, using a very small fuse, (say 50mA). If there genuinely is a bad joint between the two points the fuse will blow - if it doesn't try somewhere else.
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
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MicknChris
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Re: Total loss of power.
Thanx guys, given me some food for thought, it can be a bit frightning when joining a motorway! I'll try ideas, I've also found a local Frog motor "specialist", does Pugs, Cits, and the unmentionable one, so he could be useful as a last resort. Cheers Mike.
Re: Total loss of power.
HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WITH MY 1999 1.9TD TOOK TO LOCAL GARAGE WHO COULDNT FIND THE PROBLEM SO I HAD TO GO TO DEALER, THEY PUT THE ECU TO SLEEP. WHEN EVERYTHING REBOOTED THEY STILL COULD NOT FIND A FAULT AND SAID IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY NEED A NEW ECU. BUT! ALL HAS BEEN OK SINCE THEN.