Help Pls

[markjo]

Hi All,
Very strange issue, currently my car (MX-5 Mk1 1.8 classic) seems to lose power and stop reving, for example in second gear at 3500rpm, but my foot down car almost seems to hold for a long time, then all of a sudden the power comes in and is fine... Any ideas folks???

[J-Tuner]

Partially Blocked/collapsed cat ?

[Munter]

Is it always 3500 RPM?

If not it could be a dodgy HT lead. When I had one it'd seem like what you describe.

[markjo]

Thanks guys, car has just had an MOT so I don't think it would be the CAT. Light's etc don't seem dim.
The strange thing is that when you put your foot down it seems to shake/splutter, and start to slow down, then it goes again.. (also dropping the clutch and reving the car seems to bring it back to normal)
DO these cars have com port to plug a laptop in to check what the ecu is doing??

thanks,
Mark

[markjo]

HT lead good call, let me check not always 3500, but always low down in the rev range..

[Munter]

markjo said:

Thanks guys, car has just had an MOT so I don't think it would be the CAT. Light's etc don't seem dim.
The strange thing is that when you put your foot down it seems to shake/splutter, and start to slow down, then it goes again.. (also dropping the clutch and reving the car seems to bring it back to normal)
DO these cars have com port to plug a laptop in to check what the ecu is doing??

thanks,
Mark

Assuming yours is one of the later MK1s it will have an ODBC connection. My 1996/1997 does.

I'm still betting on a HT lead from your further description. (Although as will all diagnostics over the net. Could easily be something else)

[markjo]

Thanks all will check when i get home...

[MX-5 Lazza]

Def sounds like a weak spark problem so I'd say HT leads & plugs first and if that doesn't fix it then coils.

[Dan_1981]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Def sounds like a weak spark problem so I'd say HT leads & plugs first and if that doesn't fix it then coils.

This.

Had an almost exact same problem on mine.

Turned out to be the coil.