Griff died but then was OK
Discussion
Sunday morning I was leaving to do a track day at Silverstone (which is 150 miles for me) in my Griff.
Before I got 3 miles outside Weymouth, going up ridgeway hill, it just died, no cough or splutter, in fact I only noticed it wasn't going because the revs read 0.
I restarted the car and it fired first time, so continued on my journey, did the track day and returned back without further problems, in fact it performed faultlessly.
Does anybody know what can cause this? as it has never happened before and I wouldn't like it to break down in the future.
The only thing I can think of, is that I was behind an old rover belching out smoke, but only for a short time. Could this have anything to do with it?
Grouch.
Before I got 3 miles outside Weymouth, going up ridgeway hill, it just died, no cough or splutter, in fact I only noticed it wasn't going because the revs read 0.
I restarted the car and it fired first time, so continued on my journey, did the track day and returned back without further problems, in fact it performed faultlessly.
Does anybody know what can cause this? as it has never happened before and I wouldn't like it to break down in the future.
The only thing I can think of, is that I was behind an old rover belching out smoke, but only for a short time. Could this have anything to do with it?
Grouch.
Ah - now you're asking!
Just off one of the battery connections, IIRC. It's a BIG version of the standard blade fuses.
Actually, I seem to remember there's a nother "big" fuse on the loom at the alternator, too.
If I had a "bible" still, I'd tell you!
Somebody who's got a clue will no doubt confirm or put me straight!
Just off one of the battery connections, IIRC. It's a BIG version of the standard blade fuses.
Actually, I seem to remember there's a nother "big" fuse on the loom at the alternator, too.
If I had a "bible" still, I'd tell you!
Somebody who's got a clue will no doubt confirm or put me straight!
Mine did the same, only more frequently, after a passenger put his boot against the ecu connector, when it was beside the battery compartment.
One of the pins was bent, and the car kept cutting out. However people at the time said to check things like the fuel pump, fuel pump relays, fuses etc.
One of the pins was bent, and the car kept cutting out. However people at the time said to check things like the fuel pump, fuel pump relays, fuses etc.
Ours has done this once or twice too.
It may be the return of the same electrickery-linked gremlinoid that breaks fuses.
I haven't got the little blighter exterminated yet, but he does leave the dash lights alone now. 
I'm putting ours down to a dodgy connection or other problem with the idle speed stepper motor or the coolant temperature sensor, as it only happens to us when the car is cold. (There are a couple of other symptoms like the idle being lumpier than usual)
It may be the return of the same electrickery-linked gremlinoid that breaks fuses.
I haven't got the little blighter exterminated yet, but he does leave the dash lights alone now. I'm putting ours down to a dodgy connection or other problem with the idle speed stepper motor or the coolant temperature sensor, as it only happens to us when the car is cold. (There are a couple of other symptoms like the idle being lumpier than usual)
Yes, this happened again today, same circumstances, started straight back up again. It conked out within half hour of cold, then alright afterwards.
I'll have to try some of the things mentioned above, when I've got time, or it's off to the garage to be sorted, money in pocket time.
Does the ECU keep an error memory? perhaps if I took it in, they could diagnose the problem from the ECU.
Grouch.
>> Edited by groucho on Saturday 5th February 13:02
>> Edited by groucho on Saturday 5th February 13:09
I'll have to try some of the things mentioned above, when I've got time, or it's off to the garage to be sorted, money in pocket time.
Does the ECU keep an error memory? perhaps if I took it in, they could diagnose the problem from the ECU.
Grouch.
>> Edited by groucho on Saturday 5th February 13:02
>> Edited by groucho on Saturday 5th February 13:09
Hmm!? Think you're going to get cantankerous on us, do ya, little Griff? 
Er - sorry
Yes, I've been known to talk to cars ! 
Well it goes back to the previous point. If it, as you originally describe, is basically like a complete removal of all power and you find yourself just coasting, then those symptoms tally with mine of a major fuse failure. It at least narrows it down to a few possible sites within the battery and major wiring. And it's not uncommon.
If you've still got electrics we may need to re-think that guess.
Yes, in theory, the ECU should contain a record of what it's been through
Good luck!
beano500 said:
Well it goes back to the previous point. If it, as you originally describe, is basically like a complete removal of all power and you find yourself just coasting, then those symptoms tally with mine of a major fuse failure. It at least narrows it down to a few possible sites within the battery and major wiring. And it's not uncommon.
If you've still got electrics we may need to re-think that guess.
Yes, in theory, the ECU should contain a record of what it's been through
Good luck!
Come to think of it, the red light was not on when it stopped, it came back on after a 30 seconds or so.
>> Edited by groucho on Monday 7th February 08:24
groucho said:
Right, I've checked the fuses, the one by the battery and the alternator one. Nothing obvious, they look like they're in fairly good condition, mind, I didn't take them right out. No damp, looked shiny and didn't seem to have any cracks in them.
Grouch.
If yours is bolted together the same as mine (I know there's no guarantee of that!), then the big fuse is actually behind the battery, and you need to unbolt the battery and take it out to get to it.
If you do take the battery out, put some silicone sealant on the bolts when you put it back in, otherwise they get sprayed with water under the car, corrode and sieze.
rude girl said:
If yours is bolted together the same as mine (I know there's no guarantee of that!), then the big fuse is actually behind the battery, and you need to unbolt the battery and take it out to get to it.
It must be slightly different, There was no need to remove the battery, the fuse was above it, behind the ECU.
Grouch.
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