My MK1 VTS is poorly!

23rd April 2018, 20:22

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on a couple of problems I'm having with my Saxo!

It's a 1999 MK1 VTS 1.6 which I've owned since November, I limped it home from Blackpool and it's been sat in the garage ever since!

When I'm driving along the motorway or a long stretch of road with my foot gently on the accelerator it looses power for a couple of seconds then picks back up, feels like it's surging rather than missfiring.

The main fault is if i put my foot down hard, when I come to a junction it will cut out. Gentle driving it never cuts out, it's only when I give it a good kick it stalls every time when I pull up.

When I first got the saxo it had an erratic idle, I fitted a new ICV and coolant temp sensor (cheap eBay parts) which seemed to make the idle better but very occasionally when it's idling it will cut out but won't try to catch itself so it'll be sitting nice at around 950rpm then down to 0 without trying to keep itself going.

Any ideas anyone?

24th April 2018, 14:29

Sounds like it could be a fueling issue.. failing fuel pump maybe?

24th April 2018, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte

Sounds like it could be a fueling issue.. failing fuel pump maybe?

I did think it might be the fuel pump but surely it would be acting up under full throttle and not when pulling up to a junction?

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24th April 2018, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrick

I did think it might be the fuel pump but surely it would be acting up under full throttle and not when pulling up to a junction?

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I had one go on mine a while ago and it just used to lose power when it felt like it sometimes just when cruising, in the end it started to completely cut off then the car wouldn't start luckily it gave up on the driveway and not on the road. Have you swapped the fuel filter to rule out the simple things?

24th April 2018, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte

I had one go on mine a while ago and it just used to lose power when it felt like it sometimes just when cruising, in the end it started to completely cut off then the car wouldn't start luckily it gave up on the driveway and not on the road. Have you swapped the fuel filter to rule out the simple things?

Yeah I've tried a new fuel filter with no improvement, I just don't want to go throwing money at it!

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25th April 2018, 17:47

I did think the same, fuel filter but if you've done that, then you're looking at the pump.

25th April 2018, 17:57

I've done some digging and the original ICV I purchased was actually for a 1.1 / 1.4. it looks identical to the 1.6 but has a different part number... So I'm returning the original and have ordered the correct one in a decent brand.

Once fitted I'll see if there's any difference and post my findings....

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25th April 2018, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrick

I've done some digging and the original ICV I purchased was actually for a 1.1 / 1.4. it looks identical to the 1.6 but has a different part number... So I'm returning the original and have ordered the correct one in a decent brand.

Once fitted I'll see if there's any difference and post my findings....

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The only good ICV is genuine (Valeo or Bosch I can't remember). Unfortunately if you want it to run as it should that's the only route.

the ICV shouldn't be affecting part throttle when driving, that sounds like something unrelated.

Both those issues (dodgy idle and part throttle roughness) could actually be a worn/faulty TPS.

25th April 2018, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinObviously

The only good ICV is genuine (Valeo or Bosch I can't remember). Unfortunately if you want it to run as it should that's the only route.

the ICV shouldn't be affecting part throttle when driving, that sounds like something unrelated.

Both those issues (dodgy idle and part throttle roughness) could actually be a worn/faulty TPS.

All my local parts factors dont stock an ICV and can't get one. Citroen wants £120 and a week for it to come from France. I've went for a intermotor one from eBay which are meant to be a decent brand.

It's funny that you mention a TPS as I've just bought one today - that was my thought this morning. I'll wait for the new ICV to come first before trying the TPS (once opened I can't return it)

Attached pictures is what your on about?

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26th April 2018, 18:17

Yeah you're right intermotor is normally pretty good.

Just have to wait it out and see then in the meantime

30th April 2018, 19:27

Okay so today I fitted the new ICV which didn't change anything, I also changed the TPS with still no joy.

The cutting out is getting worse, it cuts out at every juction... If I drive like the stereotypical saxo driver or a granny when I pull up it dies.

Can anyone shed any light??

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30th April 2018, 19:40

A couple of things I did spot but I'm unsure if they will be the issue -

- fuel relay (under the ECU) has a damaged casing, internals look dry and undamaged

- there is a little wire coming from the coil pack plug that goes to a little black box. This box is damaged (is it an earth?) if anyone has a picture of how this is meant to look I'd appreciate it.

- on the thermostat housing there is the 2 main temp sensors (green and brown plug) but also one on the bottom (another brown) with nothing plugged in to it - is this normal?

- when cleaning out the inlet manifold I noticed there was 2x damaged vacuum pipe connectors on the bottom of the inlet which have been repaired with what looks like tigerseal. Would a leak from this cause my issue?

Thanks again

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30th April 2018, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrick

A couple of things I did spot but I'm unsure if they will be the issue -

- fuel relay (under the ECU) has a damaged casing, internals look dry and undamaged

- there is a little wire coming from the coil pack plug that goes to a little black box. This box is damaged (is it an earth?) if anyone has a picture of how this is meant to look I'd appreciate it.

- on the thermostat housing there is the 2 main temp sensors (green and brown plug) but also one on the bottom (another brown) with nothing plugged in to it - is this normal?

- when cleaning out the inlet manifold I noticed there was 2x damaged vacuum pipe connectors on the bottom of the inlet which have been repaired with what looks like tigerseal. Would a leak from this cause my issue?

Thanks again

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The little wire and the little box is a capacitor. On 3 plug models it helps with interference so the ECU can determine which cylinder has just fired for sequential injection to be timed accurately. on singple plug models it doesn't matter so much.

There shouldn't be any brown sensors on a VTS engine. Brown sensors are for aircon cars (which no RHD Saxo has in the UK). Sounds like you might have a JP4 engine fitted?

Yes those 2 plugges holes might cause a vacuum leak and that would certainly cause a problem with cutting out. Take the air filter off the throttle body, start the car and let it idle. Put your finger over the "D" shaped hole at the top of the throttle body and it should cut out almost instantly. if it's slow to stall there's probably an air leak and you should do a smoke test.

Of those 2 broken connectors you only need 1 for the brake servo. the other is for the charcoal canister and you could blank it off if you think it's giving you an issue.

Another place for vacuum leaks is the rubber seals between the 2 inlet halves and where the manifold bolts to the head.

can't think of anything else at the mo