Any help for the mechanically retarded ???

[John.S]

Sick Chimp (96 - N)
Just coming to the end of my first year and all of a sudden things are not going to well. Firstly anyone experienced the alarm warning light being on constant when driving ?
Secondly performance seems to have dropped and has become a bit sluggish when attempting to accelerate, I now get get a bit of shuddering before it picks up. It diffently does NOT sound as good as it used to, the growl seems to have gone !!.
I thought I would try and track down some ideas before I put in for its MOT next week and god knows what else !!!

[RobM]

Plug or lead breaking down may cause shudder/sluggishness & change of exhaust note.

[barter]

quote:
the alarm warning light being on constant when driving ?

Had something similar. My warning light would occassional flicker and the engine would cut out randomly. Needed a new ecu. Possible blew it when I jump starting the car once. Can't really blame it on the car.

quote:
Secondly performance seems to have dropped and has become a bit sluggish when attempting to accelerate, I now get get a bit of shuddering before it picks up.

My 4.0L Chimaera did this when I had to put a tank of ordinary unleaded in (95 octane instead of 98). Took several more tanks of super to stop it coughing and spluttering.

[john.s]

quote:
Sounds like it's in need of a bloody good service.
Quinny

it went through a full service in Oct period with no problems, I was not expecting to put it through its next for another 6 months.

[beano1197]

My Griff was serviced in November. Six weeks later it needed TLC because of corrosion on one of the ECU connectors finally bringing the car to a halt on warm up. Then two months on new HT leads and suppressors at the next service.

So just after that service one of the exhaust manifold gaskets falls apart.

Neither of the problems were apparent at service, but just because it is serviced it does not necessarily guarantee everything.

It is a pretty harsh environment under that lovely bonnet, so it is not surprising that occasionally something comes to the end of its natural life!

So possibles:

ECU, and connectors
HT, leads, suppressors or plugs
Stepper motor - always worth suspecting that needs a clean (PS how does it get dirty???)
Just needs a good talking to?

Then "Bob's yer Uncle"!

[john.s]

quote:

So possibles:

ECU, and connectors
HT, leads, suppressors or plugs
Stepper motor - always worth suspecting that needs a clean (PS how does it get dirty???)
Just needs a good talking to?

Then "Bob's yer Uncle"!

Are these big jobs (plus for my bank balance) ? as I do really mean I am mechanically retarded. I channel all my enjoyment into the driving at the moment, or I did until these problems put a dampner on it.

>> Edited by john.s on Monday 25th March 13:22

[beano1197]

Got to be worth getting the garage that serviced it last (or one of the well known independents) to give it a look. You don't want to go down the route of moderate expense, to find that the parts were perfectly serviceable all the while (e.g. plugs, caps and leads set me back about £120, I think). I'm on a learning curve too - don't imagine that I've got more mechanical ability than any other muppet!!! Just wanted to re-assure you that it sounds like easy stuff, but know how frustrating it can feel!!