Strange idling, tends to cut out

  1. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #1
    Guys I have some very annoying problem with my VTS. At first when the engine was idling at the traffic lights the revs tended to go down to 400-500 and then they went back up, sometimes I had to press the gas pedal otherwise the engine would die out. And overall the engine idled very strange. It wasn't smooth overall. I changed the idle speed control valve and I thought the issues were finally over but yesterday the revs went up to 2500 without my foot being on the gas pedal even. A few kilometers later I had to move away from a STOP sign fast and the car dropped its nose instead.. What can it be? Besides the idle speed motor, the temp sensor (that sends data to the ecu) is also changed. Can it be the crankshaft sensor?
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #2
    Start by checking the idle control valve which is the usual suspect. I had the same problem but it was a vacuum leak.
  3. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #3
    The idle control valve and the idle speed valve are the same thing so its not it - as I said, this was the first thing that I replaced mate.
  4. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #4
    I had a problem on a vtr a few years back where it would idle all over the place, tried also res to fix it, in the end it got to the stage that if the engine died it would take ages to restart, my mate worked at citroen so managed to blag a diagnostic test and it flashed up the coil pack, "burrowed" one off another saxo in the showroom (one of the last vtr's they had) never had the problem after that.
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 30K View Post
    The idle control valve and the idle speed valve are the same thing so its not it - as I said, this was the first thing that I replaced mate.
    My bad didn't read the post properly
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 116 Rover 400 Citroen AX JDM Honda Integra
    #6
    Vacuum leak somewhere?
  7. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ghaz View Post
    Vacuum leak somewhere?
    I don't think so. Recently I installed a new aftermarket air induction kit and checked the whole system. It seemed fine.

    @ tiger1983, Yesterday I checked the ignition coils and it was like brand new. I was expecting a cracked coil and tons of dirt, but actually it was in really good condition, as I said literally like brand new part.
  8. Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 279
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 30K View Post
    I don't think so. Recently I installed a new aftermarket air induction kit and checked the whole system. It seemed fine.

    @ tiger1983, Yesterday I checked the ignition coils and it was like brand new. I was expecting a cracked coil and tons of dirt, but actually it was in really good condition, as I said literally like brand new part.
    I remember mine becoming a pain soon as it got hot, turned out to be a hairline crack in the coil.

    I've just found this, may be some pointers to check
    http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1496
  9. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2014 Valley boy me.... Posts: 205 saxo vtr 1.4, xsara was my last car
    #9
    fwiw, i had a horrid idle which fluctuated a lot, now i know its not common, but crank sensor was my problem, seemed fine when driving, but as soon as it went to idle, all hell broke loose, you checked the coil all good, but did you pull the plugs out to see what they are like? they often give you a few pointers, i read plugs a lot.

    oh, now i remember, i did have an inlet leak where the gasket would normally be, but citroen decided that o-rings were suffice. knobs. (now i look you say vts, im not sure if the vts lump still uses the o-rings, ill more than likely be corrected) but i had a shite idle when that was occuring.

    or maybe the giggling pin has fallen off the fufu valve...(lol).
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 215
    #10
    Did you have this problem before you fitted the induction kit?
  11. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 30K View Post
    I don't think so. Recently I installed a new aftermarket air induction kit and checked the whole system. It seemed fine.

    @ tiger1983, Yesterday I checked the ignition coils and it was like brand new. I was expecting a cracked coil and tons of dirt, but actually it was in really good condition, as I said literally like brand new part.
    They can breakdown internally and at first glance look fine mate.
  12. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by oxass View Post
    Did you have this problem before you fitted the induction kit?
    Yes.

    This problem is really annoying. It can be caused by so many things. If I have to replace all the stuff one by one I will spend as much as I paid for the car rofl
  13. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #13
    The problem is still present lol... I checked literally all sensor that I can think off and everything seems to be working. I went to local garage where they are preparing Peugeots and Citroens for rally and the guy there told me its the lambda sensor. He said, just unplug it and it should be ok (lol?). I did that and the car really was ok.... for about 2 km when it suddenly lost power like there was no fuel. That was not the problem because I filled 'er up recently. I plugged the lambda sensor and it was ok but the problem went back on.

    I had Vauxhall before and I know that the car can run like ass if the lambda sensor is fucked up so at first I was like wtf!? when the guy told me to unplug it but I thought he is making rally Citroen cars, he should know better. And really, whats the reason behind unplugging the lambda sensor on the Saxo?

    Besides, I have some third party fuel regulator (I bought the car with it) and I would be happy if you can tell me the stock pressure because I want to check if that is possible cause of the problem - the car running on too high pressure.
  14. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #14
    Unplugging the lambda sensor and the car runs better means the sensor has had it.no change to the running then you can eliminate that sensor and move on.
  15. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #15
    Bought new o2 sensor (the green one) - all fixed, no more idling problems
  16. Newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 29
    #16
    Is the O2 Sensor the lambda sensor?

    I have a 98 VTS engine in a 2001 VTR that won't idle. It makes no difference whether lambdas connected or not.
  17. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #17
    No, it measures the temp of the coolant and gives that info to the ECU.
  18. Newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 29
    #18
    So green one on thermostat housing?

    I've changed that, back to the drawing board...
  19. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #19
    Yeah and btw its not o2 sensor lol. I was thinking about something else when I was typing. It gives some data about the coolant temp to the ECU.
  20. Newbie Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 24 Saxo VTS 16V, Stage 2 200SX S13
    #20
    It doesn't measure the o2 at all. And where the heck is the edit button geez..