Intermittent Griff issues

[FFMan]

1994 Griff 500, tornado chip

Mostly runs fine, pulls great, but every now and then just cuts out and coasts to the side of the road. When i try and restart it, fires up, revs up but then dies, throttle pedal seems like it does nothing, can't keep it running. Either a combination of time (5 or so minutes) or a few retries and it'll start and run fine the rest of the journey. It's done this last 2 times out.

It's other trick is to go all fluffy on running, lose power and strong smell of fuel (limp mode?). Switch it off and on and again and all good immediately.

I am guessing a lose wire/connection somewhere but any pointers much appreciated.

Could it be the old meta alarm playing up ?

[Belle427]

Its a possibility and certainly worth doing the temporary bypass on it first to rule it out, the Chim instructions are readily available but I`m not sure about the Griff but I would think its much the same.
Its worth checking the connections are nice and tight at the coil and just doing a general inspection of the ignition system.
Don`t go just firing random parts at it as generally the aftermarket stuff is not great quality and can have you chasing your tail.

[FFMan]

doing some research on the alarm, can it interfere with running of the car once its started ?

I know it has a starter solenoid inhibit, but unless it has fuel pump inhibit or something on the sparks side, doesn't seem like it could be my issue ?

I see abacus alarms make various bypass plugs so its worth a go if i can verify it fits, but i suppose i lose the central locking as a side effect ?

[Loubaruch]

If when you restart the car you hear the fuel pump priming and the starter turns over the immobiliser is working OK.

You need to try and narrow down the possibles. If you run Rovergauge while driving it may show you the problem or plugging in Steve Heaths ECUmate may throw up a fault code. Where are you based?

Edited by Loubaruch on Thursday 21st August 10:32

[FFMan]

Loubaruch said:

If when you restart the car you hear the fuel pump priming and the starter turns over the immobiliser is working OK.

when it has died, and i attempt to restart it, i don't recall hearing the the pump prime. it's odd that repeatedly it will fire up, rev up and then die. it's feels like the prime might have worked, but then the pump doesn't run on to keep it running

i need to pay more attention next time it does it.

[Belle427]

Dont forget about the 2 relays in the footwell either, the main and fuel pump which can give symptoms like this.
Its never a bad idea to replace them if the age is unknown but they must be oem relays.

[BritishTvr450]

FFMan said:

when it has died, and i attempt to restart it, i don't recall hearing the the pump prime. it's odd that repeatedly it will fire up, rev up and then die. it's feels like the prime might have worked, but then the pump doesn't run on to keep it running

i need to pay more attention next time it does it.

This too.

Often the pumps are often the original.

You can check fuel rail pressure at the rail using the car tyre style valve thats situated on the rail o/s with a suitable gauge and or failing that try feeling the pump when it’s not running well. It should be a constant slight vibration showing the motors working.

[waggy]

I had a similar problem years ago where the car would lose power after cruising about 5 miles. when i turned off engine and restarted the power would come back again. checked all electrics thinking it was ignition and eventually found it was the fuel filter. when i took it off it poured out black fuel. replaced and been okay ever since.

[FFMan]

waggy said:

I had a similar problem years ago where the car would lose power after cruising about 5 miles. when i turned off engine and restarted the power would come back again. checked all electrics thinking it was ignition and eventually found it was the fuel filter. when i took it off it poured out black fuel. replaced and been okay ever since.

thanks - will check my records as to when it was last done