FAQ - Rev problems, coil packs & spark plugs

  1. #1
    OK it seems on a weekly basis a new thread gets made about someone having a rev or idle problem and they neglect to use the search function... so im going to try and answer all of the questions they might have, in one easy to read thread :Y:

    My car seems to hold onto it's rev's for too long / my car rev's on it's own without touching the accelerator:

    This could be caused by several things, but the most likely is this.
    Check the green engine coolant temperature sensor (right hand side of engine), check to see if it is corroded... (see picture for location)



    If it is corroded your car will think it is colder than it actually is, so your car will over rev to compensate for this...

    My car was reving itself to 4-5,000 rpm without touching the accelerator, i replaced the green sensor as it was corroded and now my car idles perfectly at around 750rpm...

    To change the sensor - Undo the electrical clip, then you can start undoing the nut on it until it becomes loose enough to hand loosen... then have your new sensor ready... and swap them over asap... coolant wont come gushing out, just dribbles... is only a pretty small hole...
    It's a really easy job to do... i changed mine when it was pitch black under torch light and still found it easy... The sensor itself shouldn't cost you that much from eurocarparts.com

    If this does not resolve your problem then here are other possibilities:
    idle actuator valve, map sensor, throttle position sensor

    My car appears to under rev/cut out and sometimes stalls when idling:

    This could be caused by several problems. Your coil pack may be faulty or your stepper motor. Your spark plugs may need cleaning/replacing. Your HT leads may need replacing (only present in some saxo's).

    If your car's engine management light comes on whilst your car is juddering/cutting out then i would recommend getting a diagnostics check done as it will confirm whether it is the coil pack that has gone.

    Where is my coil pack located? How do i change it? and how can i access the spark plugs?:

    this engine bay is that of a 99 westcoast - and may vary between saxo models. The coil pack position is indicated by the red arrow.



    Firstly you need to ascertain which coil pack you need as there are two main shapes. If your car has HT leads you will need the 4 in a square block. If your car doesn't have HT leads like the westcoast and the furio you need the 4 in a line. Here are the two main types of saxo coilpack:



    What tools will you need to remove it? a decent socket set (size 10mm) to avoid stripping the bolts. Make sure you do it when the engine is COOL! Although this is a very simple job to do, it is only simple if you know how it's done.



    Now first things first. Remove the oil breather tube from the airbox and rocker cover:


    Then disconnect these two connector blocks, one from the coil pack and the other from the end of the airbox.


    Then using the socket set undo the two nuts that secure the coil pack in place. Being careful when removing the left hand side nut as there is a wiring mount attached to the bolt.



    Once disconnected and unbolted simply lift up and out the old coilpack and replace with the new one :Y: and carry out the reverse of the above method.

    If you want to access your spark plugs you must first remove your coil pack, the spark plugs are then accessible...they are located in the wells underneath the coil pack... as shown by the red arrow in the image below:



    That concludes my FAQ for now, and im sure it will be updated shortly!
    Please feel free to add information that may be beneficial to others!

    Hope that is of some help to some of you!
    Alex
    2 users thanked this post: ,
  2. #2
    so thats why my rev counter isnt working at all then hopefully bud cheers
  3. #3
    spot on. i will check it out on mine as it doesent idle too well
  4. #4
    nice one mate, im sure this will be made in to a guide or a sticky. rep given
  5. #5
    good on ya mate
  6. #6
    Been having this problem too! Exaclly as you described, been speaking to a few car nerds and apparnlty cars start to do this at this time of year due to the dampness in the air aswell, my problem was solved by doing this every morning, before you start the car give the accelertor two pumps then as you turn the key rev the car a bit and it solved my crappy idle.

    Great thread mind you going to have a look at the car this weekend with this guide :thumbup:
  7. #7
    Pinned and moved to engines, great work Al!
  8. #8
    any chance you can sort the pictures out so that they all work?
  9. #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Billog_VTR View Post
    any chance you can sort the pictures out so that they all work?
    :shock: They all work for me mate

    Which ones don't work for you?
    I will try and reupload them.

    Alex
  10. #10
    what about diffrent models i can get a few pics of the vts engine if needed even one showing the coil pack although some idiot is polishing the rocker
  11. #11
    this happened when i adjusted my accelarator cable (was to tight)

    sure you havent been playing with yours (the accelerator cable!!!)
  12. #12
    Quote:
    what about diffrent models i can get a few pics of the vts engine if needed even one showing the coil pack although some idiot is polishing the rocker
    You had to be difficult didn't you! Nah any other pictures would be great, i believe when the admin have a little more time on their hands they may make this into an actual FAQ, so if you submit some more pictures they will be added there :Y:

    Quote:
    this happened when i adjusted my accelarator cable (was to tight)
    Surely if your accelerator cable was too tight your car would idle constantly at the same level... im talking about them fluctuating, suddenly shooting up and then down, or holding onto the revs for a long time (it takes a long time for the revs to return to the idle level when the clutch is dipped)...

    Alex
  13. #13
    Superb work there

    Anyone know where this sensor is on the mighty VTS? Mines started to play up and give a lower reading on the temp gadge
  14. #14
    Quote:
    Anyone know where this sensor is on the mighty VTS? Mines started to play up and give a lower reading on the temp gadge
    have u got an engine bay piccy mate?

    Alex
  15. #15


    Ich liebe Google Images
  16. #16
    my knowledge is limatable! the coil pack is under the citroen badge yes?

    sensors i have no idea but that alarm is in a funny place
  17. #17
    Lol he has cabled tied his alarm on...

    I would love google images if that car didn't have such a big breather filter...
    If you use mattwesty's uber clean engine bay on the other hand... i think the sensors are here...


    Alex
  18. #18
    Gangstar! I'll clean the fucker up properly tonight. There's loads of oil about under there at the moment,however, never fear, I'll spank the westymeister for under bonnet cleanliness next year
  19. #19
    Lol good luck campo, i still have to brave cleaning mine out... all will be done soon when i order a nice enclosed induction kit...

    Quote:
    my knowledge is limatable! the coil pack is under the citroen badge yes?



    Alex
  20. #20
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by furioAL View Post
    :shock: They all work for me mate

    Which ones don't work for you?
    I will try and reupload them.

    Alex
    they all work fine now mate, might just have been works shitty internet.
  21. #21
    what do euro car parts call the engine coolent temperature sensor?
  22. #22
    Sorry it has taken me so long to update this thread...

    Eurocarparts do not list this item on there website, you would have to call them, it is the engine coolant temperature sensor... i believe the product code is: 1920.K9 - that is the only code on the outside of mine, they can also be sourced from citroen or peugeot dealerships...

    This is what the sensor looks like (my corroded one) :


    Hope that helps
    Alex
  23. #23
    hi i spoke to euro car parts and they dont do this part, are they expensive from a citroen dealer? where did you get yours from?
    thanx
  24. #24
    I got mine given to me by someone i know who works at a garage... so have no idea how much it costs, think they are only around £12ish...

    Alex
  25. #25
    Has this fixed the problem on every ones cars? My westcoast had been doin it on and off for over a year (since i bought it) mainly during weather changes but would always sort its self out. Last week i steam washed my engine bay out at work drove my car home then when i went to drive it a few hours later it was having troubles ideling and would pull its self along when driving. I was told by citroen to replace the idle control valve or try cleaning it first. so i did and removed my airfilter, after cleaning it my car sat on 4000 rpm instead of going between 500-1000! So i went to a breakers and got one but still didnt fix it! It now sits on about 2500 rpm! Im trying to avoid buying a new one as it is around £120 from citroen and i have just bought a vts so just want to sell the wescoast!

  26. #26
    Ive been playing about with it for a bit and i took out the sensor described in this thread and cleaned it with some p800 wet and dry paper (didnt look corroded anyway) put it back in and now its gone back to doing exactly what it was before. Revving between 500 and 1000 but i suppose this is better than sitting on 2000 revs! Anyone?
  27. #27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by motobruce View Post
    Ive been playing about with it for a bit and i took out the sensor described in this thread and cleaned it with some p800 wet and dry paper (didnt look corroded anyway) put it back in and now its gone back to doing exactly what it was before. Revving between 500 and 1000 but i suppose this is better than sitting on 2000 revs! Anyone?
    If you car has gone back to reving between 500-1000 rpm then that is normal? My car idle's at around 750rpm... So i don't get what your asking?

    Alex
  28. #28
    no thats not normal, i was confused because its gone back to the origional problem which is the idling between 500-1000 and revs increasing when putting the clutch in to change gear. Any idea if the sensor on my vts will be the same as the one on my westcoast. maybe i could try swapping it over?
  29. #29
    I changed the sensor and its still doing it...? perhaps I need another idle control valve...I got one from the breakers but theres no guarantee that the one i put on wasn't already on its way out eh. sod it i'll buy a new car lol.
  30. #30
    cheers for that mate just what i wanted, rep giving, even though i know ya away for easter
  31. #31
    I just changed my coolant sensor. AS I undone it, coolant sprayed everywhere, all in my face and eyes.


    thanks
  32. #32
    are pog's the same as saxo's well i mean by the coil packs???
  33. #33
    Where is the coolant sensor thing on a 97 mk1 VTR, the blacktop engines?

    and if I take it out to clean will it piss out everywhere?

    Cheers
  34. #34
    excellent guide mate. my rev problem is now sorted. ended up to be my engine coolant temperature sensor. took 2mins to sort to. saved me taking it to a garage and be charged shit loads. also rep you. cheers
  35. #35
    Great thread. however, i have a black top vtr and was just wondering where the sensor is as i cant seem to find mine. any pics with help would be top notch.

    cheers

    Ad
  36. #36
    my car is a head ake need rid of it i think get my vts back on the road in sted
  37. #37
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by snewham View Post
    I just changed my coolant sensor. AS I undone it, coolant sprayed everywhere, all in my face and eyes.


    thanks
    Don't do it when its hot mate!
  38. #38
    My rev counter on my westcoast doesn't work at all, would this be to do with this guide?
  39. #39
    Just to say that the pics are no longer hosted on image shack, so cant be seen.

    This is first post so apologes if they have been sorted out,
  40. #40
    My VTS stalls repeatedly on startup and feels like its trying to stall when i disengage the clutch, sounds like i have the problem discribed, it midnight and raining so im gonna take a look at this tomorrow!

    Great guide by the way!
  41. #41
    whats the black round thing on top of the manifold with the pipe, i dont have this in mine?
  42. #42
    Brilliant, Im no mechanic but changing the Plugs should be a doddle with this guide. Thanks alot for this mate =) Eeee
  43. #43
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by motobruce View Post
    Has this fixed the problem on every ones cars? My westcoast had been doin it on and off for over a year (since i bought it) mainly during weather changes but would always sort its self out. Last week i steam washed my engine bay out at work drove my car home then when i went to drive it a few hours later it was having troubles ideling and would pull its self along when driving. I was told by citroen to replace the idle control valve or try cleaning it first. so i did and removed my airfilter, after cleaning it my car sat on 4000 rpm instead of going between 500-1000! So i went to a breakers and got one but still didnt fix it! It now sits on about 2500 rpm! Im trying to avoid buying a new one as it is around £120 from citroen and i have just bought a vts so just want to sell the wescoast!

    When you fit a new ICV you have to initialise it 1st by switching the ignition on a off 3 times(not starting the car though)

    Steve.
  44. #44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    When you fit a new ICV you have to initialise it 1st by switching the ignition on a off 3 times(not starting the car though)

    Steve.
    27th October 2006, 13:46
  45. #45
    Great illustrations!

    I'm however having some difficulties removing the coil pack. I removed the nuts from each end of the coil pack and the pack seemed to come loose, so I tried to lift it off but it just wont come off! It moves a bit back and forth but it seems like something's holdin it inside the wells. I tied pulling as hard as I could but surely it's supposed come off easier than that?

    It's a late 2000 1.4 model. with the 4 in a line coil pack.
  46. #46
    sweet read man
  47. #47
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by GummiGana View Post
    Great illustrations!

    I'm however having some difficulties removing the coil pack. I removed the nuts from each end of the coil pack and the pack seemed to come loose, so I tried to lift it off but it just wont come off! It moves a bit back and forth but it seems like something's holdin it inside the wells. I tied pulling as hard as I could but surely it's supposed come off easier than that?

    It's a late 2000 1.4 model. with the 4 in a line coil pack.
    Turned out the extension columns that go over the plugs had partly melted into the plugs! Had to really pull like crazy to get them off. Bits of the columns teared off and decided to stick with the plugs :E
  48. #48
    Hi, my 02 VTR will occasionaly rev up and down to just over 1k nearly cutting out each time when i come to traffic lights or whatever. I had lived with it as it will usually go away after a few days but it started today again and now it will cut out. So it will rev up and down a few times then cut out completely.

    I cleaned the ICV when it first started doing it but didnt make any difference.

    Its seems to mostly do it if I let the revs drop quickly (if that makes a difference).

    Would you replace the MAP sensor or ICV first?

    Also read that it could be a dirty fuel filter so gonna change that anyway as it prob needs doing.

    cheers
  49. #49
    Thanks a lot! I'm new to this and this FAQ helped a lot and I will defo use this information. Thanks again!
  50. #50
    Hi Want to change my spark plugs is there any new photos.Thanks
  51. #51
    You literally put 17mm spark plug socket on the end of a small extension bar, pull the HT Leads/spark plug leads off, put the socket/extension into the hole and it should fit snugly on the plug then loosen as you would with anything that's threaded. When refitting, put the new plug into the socket, put it in the hole and thread it carefully by hand for the first few turns ensuring you have the right thread.
  52. #52
    My saxo has been revving up and down for a long time but for last 5 weeks it has not.Could it be its been warmer.
  53. #53
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bazza2 View Post
    My saxo has been revving up and down for a long time but for last 5 weeks it has not.Could it be its been warmer.
    Even the fan is working.
  54. #54
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bazza2 View Post
    My saxo has been revving up and down for a long time but for last 5 weeks it has not.Could it be its been warmer.
    6 Weeks ago I put 2 bottles of Redex in and now completely stopped the engine revving up and down