Lumpy Tick Over

[ChrisA]

Just took my car for a celebration blast following a visit to the car wash this morning. However, when stuck in the Cambridge traffic, the car would not tick over (idle), first high revs at Tick over (1700rpm) then it was almost dieing, then it eventually did die. I managed to take it for a blast and get the revs up but as soon as it went to idle again the tick over problem kicked in agin.

Has anyone experienced this problem before and if so how did you solve it?

Could it be a wet filter? I've checked the engine bay and no obvious wet electrics, even topped up the mobil.

Any help much appreciated

[Cider Andy]

Was it okay again after stopping it and restarting it?

[antonyj]

ChrisA said:

Just took my car for a celebration blast following a visit to the car wash this morning. However, when stuck in the Cambridge traffic, the car would not tick over (idle), first high revs at Tick over (1700rpm) then it was almost dieing, then it eventually did die. I managed to take it for a blast and get the revs up but as soon as it went to idle again the tick over problem kicked in agin.

Has anyone experienced this problem before and if so how did you solve it?

Could it be a wet filter? I've checked the engine bay and no obvious wet electrics, even topped up the mobil.

Any help much appreciated

Car wash?
Hope you mean a hand wash venue

[ChrisA]

The car is still having problems idling even arter a 300 mile journey with several stops. This morning when I started it it wasn't firing on all 8 cylinders, probably only 5 or 6 until it eventually warmed up. Trevor isn't well!

Could it be an ignition problem? What about a dodgy lambder sensor as the fuel consumption is also dreadful ~13-16mpg.

P.S. Of course it was a hand car wash, about 10 romanians swarmed the car for a couple of minutes and then it emmerges all sparkly!

[prtvr]

The big problem it could be one of several things or even a combination of one or two, just to make it interesting.
but here are a few that I would try. in no particular order
(1) Stepper motor clean.
(2) Reset ECU.
(3) run engine in the dark and look at plug leads /distributor etc for sparks.

A good investment is Steve heaths (bible) see link below
www.saveonbooks.co.uk/author-Steve-Heath/book-9780953033553/

Have you used the search function at the top of the page, just enter say stepper motor and see what comes up, then try tick over.

Phil

[Steve42]

Have had the same experience in the past. Mine became chronic, always in traffic when the car well hot. Just checked the service history and, in my case, it was a melted fuse link box. New box and fuse for not a lot of money.

[ChrisA]

Thanks guys for the help.

I went straight to the stepper motor, gave it a clean and now all seems well. Good reference on how to clean stepper motor can be found at:

www.car1.clara.co.uk/tvr/stepper.htm

I also treated the fuel system with a good harsh cleaner and sprayed a carb cleaner in to the air intake (air flow meter junction) with the engine running fast to try and clean the air side of the induction system. It has worked wonders! For £15 spent on cleaning products and abot 30 mins labour it is as though I have just spent £500 on a service.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

All mine have been erratic most of the time. I just gave up worrying & developed the foot on brake & accelerator method.