Micra - Throttle Potentiometer failure
Discussion
I've got a 1995 Nissan Micra (K11), the bottom of the range 1.0 litre model. I've been blessed with having a fuel injection system. However we've recently had a few problem with it starting from cold when there isn't much fuel in the tank. The car starts fine when the tank is full. I'd managed to track the issue down to the fuel injection system, but I'm not really that knowledgeable so called out a local mobile mechanic.
He's cleaned out the system, cause it was pretty dirty in there but thinks it may be a broken throttle potentiometer. I'm just about try and get the diagnostic codes out of the ECCS unit (I'd rather do it myself than pay £30 for someone to take a look) to see if that sheds any light.
But my question is thus, as the car still runs ok, is it still ok to use it? The missus needs it to drive to work. But I'm a bit worried as to what will happen if the unit fails whilst she is driving. Basically what does the throttle potentiometer do?
He's cleaned out the system, cause it was pretty dirty in there but thinks it may be a broken throttle potentiometer. I'm just about try and get the diagnostic codes out of the ECCS unit (I'd rather do it myself than pay £30 for someone to take a look) to see if that sheds any light.
But my question is thus, as the car still runs ok, is it still ok to use it? The missus needs it to drive to work. But I'm a bit worried as to what will happen if the unit fails whilst she is driving. Basically what does the throttle potentiometer do?
Its either faulty or it isnt ??? Why does he only think it is ???
If you have been driving it until now, I wouldnt worry about another day or so.
And saying its narrowed down to the fuel injection system, is like saying you have narrowed it down to the car being faulty....
There are dozens of things within the efi system that could be at fault. Diagnostic codes may reveal something, or they may not.
If the problem with starting is only when the tank is near empty.......I'd just keep a little more fuel in it lol.
If you have been driving it until now, I wouldnt worry about another day or so.
And saying its narrowed down to the fuel injection system, is like saying you have narrowed it down to the car being faulty....
There are dozens of things within the efi system that could be at fault. Diagnostic codes may reveal something, or they may not.
If the problem with starting is only when the tank is near empty.......I'd just keep a little more fuel in it lol.
I'm a bit confused about the whole cleaning out the system because it was dirty in there?
Sounds like mechanic speak for I prodded around for an hour but couldn't find anything wrong but had to charge you for something so voila!
You can usually clean throttle potentiometers when they start playing up, but the fault you describe sounds nothing like throttle potentiometer, that fault usually shows itself by stalling at tickover coming to junctions.
Sounds very much loke a blocked fuel filter, tired fuel pump, blocked gauze filter in tank, split pick up pipe in tank.
As previously mentioned if it only happens when the tank is empty just keep it full.
Of course the other possibility is that the fuel gauge/sender is playing up and the tank is in fact empty.
Sounds like mechanic speak for I prodded around for an hour but couldn't find anything wrong but had to charge you for something so voila!
You can usually clean throttle potentiometers when they start playing up, but the fault you describe sounds nothing like throttle potentiometer, that fault usually shows itself by stalling at tickover coming to junctions.
Sounds very much loke a blocked fuel filter, tired fuel pump, blocked gauze filter in tank, split pick up pipe in tank.
As previously mentioned if it only happens when the tank is empty just keep it full.
Of course the other possibility is that the fuel gauge/sender is playing up and the tank is in fact empty.
if it is a sensor fault then get the codes read out by a diagnostic specialist £45/60 or your just p*ssing in the wind fuel injection/ign management systems are a lot more complicated than many owners realise,these cars do suffer with throttle body problems/wear,speak to a company in gillingham,kent called BBA remanafacturing they can help.
motorwise said:
numbnuts said:
Injector housing very common problem on the micra's, do a google search for bba-reman, they do remanufactured throttle bodies for them.
it's also possible to remove the side plate and repair dry solder joints - this is the most common cause of failure on these
numbnuts said:
motorwise said:
numbnuts said:
Injector housing very common problem on the micra's, do a google search for bba-reman, they do remanufactured throttle bodies for them.
it's also possible to remove the side plate and repair dry solder joints - this is the most common cause of failure on these
my solicitor said I should just say no comment
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