Saxo Electrical Problems, Jerky Running

1. Spitfire44 Newbie Joined: May 2011 Posts: 2

   #1 17th May 2011, 07:40

   Hi All, old git newbie here.
   
   The wife's VTR (Year 2000, only 21k miles) has started intermittantly misfiring/jerking when running, just a couple of times then carries on fine. No particular set circumstances. She also claims that occasionally it has has stopped when just idling and upon trying to restart the dashlights go out and starter motor does not turn engine. Then it will start and be away fine. I have only had the jerking, with no other simptons. No ongoing dash warning lights.
   
   Cleaned up battery (origional) connections and reseated every electrical plug I could find in the engine bay, made no difference. Presume it is a sensor somewhere or elctrical connector.
   
   So over to the Guru's, any help would be most appreciated. Trying to avoid going to a dealer and letting them fleece me for everything I possess!
   
   Cheers, all.
2. skitts Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Norwich Posts: 746 Saxo Vtr Mk2

   #2 17th May 2011, 09:04

   Give it a full service and see if that sorts it or it could be the coil pack does it hesitate when you put your foot down ?
3. rowly747 Newbie Joined: Dec 2010 Middlesbrough Posts: 20 51 Reg Saxo 1.4 Furio Smoothed Boot

   #3 17th May 2011, 10:09

   Could be a bad earth somewhere if you get nothing when you turn key but dashlights come on.
4. Spitfire44 Newbie Joined: May 2011 Posts: 2

   #4 18th May 2011, 09:19

   Thanks for replies so far. Doesn't particularly hesitate when when you put your foot down. For me it did it when holdin same speed around a roundabout. Jerks a few times then carries on fine. Yesterday the wife noticed after starting the airbag light was flashing on/off (every second or so). She turned ignition off, restarted and it was then fine.
   
   I must admit it doesn't get a proper garage service, as she does less than 2k miles a year - would be expensive for so little use. I just check it over and change the oil & filter every spring.
   
   My feeling is it is electrical /sensor issue. I have a look at the wiring behind the dash as best I can.
5. tisandy Regular Poster Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 349 2000 Mk2 Saxo VTR, 1997 Mk1 Saxo.

   #5 18th May 2011, 12:29

   I have the same problem.
   
   It'll be your fuel pump. When I go around a corner with less than a quarter of a tank it jerks then when you come out of the corner it does it a bit more then carrys on fine..
6. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #6 18th May 2011, 12:32

   Does the problem happen when its hot or cold?(engine)
   
   
   Steve.
7. Alexywhite Infrequent Poster Joined: Jul 2009 Oxford Posts: 222 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2 DC2 Integra Type R EP3 Civi

   #7 18th May 2011, 12:33

   Hi there. I had a similar problem. After some deliberation I decided that it was the coil pack that was broken. I changed it (Cost about £50 or something from GSF) and the problem went.
   
   It is dead easy to replace.
   
   I hope that you get it sorted.
   
   Alex
8. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #8 18th May 2011, 12:36

   Crank position sensor. Give that a clean. Its on the front of the gearbox
   
   If that gives a wrong reading for a split tenth of a second then it will misfire and occasionally go into limpmode. If it cuts out on idling, it could be many things, but preventing it from starting again could again be the crank position sensor. When you try to start the car it wont allow it, but you will be engaging an open circuit and the power draining making your dash lights go out.
   
   Give it a clean with some wire whool and check connections on it, could even be a slight bit of dampness.
9. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #9 18th May 2011, 12:40

   Poeple are confidently throwing definate solutions out there..
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by tisandy I have the same problem. It'll be your fuel pump. When I go around a corner with less than a quarter of a tank it jerks then when you come out of the corner it does it a bit more then carrys on fine..

   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Alexywhite Hi there. I had a similar problem. After some deliberation I decided that it was the coil pack that was broken. I changed it (Cost about £50 or something from GSF) and the problem went. It is dead easy to replace. I hope that you get it sorted. Alex

   So why would the dash light go out and the car not even attempt to start? Whether the car has fuel, no injectors etc the starter will still engage and attempt to start the car. Same applies with the coilpack.
   
   To the OP, dont go spending money on fuel pumps or coilpacks when it could be something as simple as an earth coming loose. Obviously try the free remedys first.
10. Alexywhite Infrequent Poster Joined: Jul 2009 Oxford Posts: 222 Citroen Saxo VTR MK2 DC2 Integra Type R EP3 Civi

    #10 18th May 2011, 12:50

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by db_sax Poeple are confidently throwing definate solutions out there.. So why would the dash light go out and the car not even attempt to start? Whether the car has fuel, no injectors etc the starter will still engage and attempt to start the car. Same applies with the coilpack. To the OP, dont go spending money on fuel pumps or coilpacks when it could be something as simple as an earth coming loose. Obviously try the free remedys first.

    
    Agreed. Admittedly I just scanned over what the OP had said.

    1 user thanked this post: Mochachino
11. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

    #11 18th May 2011, 12:52

    It could be that he happens to have a few problems that are triggering each other in which case you could consider the Coil pack or fuel pump, but that would be much later down the line once the more relating single courses have been ruled out!