Idle problems on V8S but any rover V8 knowledge welcome.

[gizzardio]

Hi

I've been having what I think I traced to overfuelling issues especially at start up for a while. Checked and Changed usual suspects and only fault or odd reading on Rover Gauge software was throttle pot. I change this and it seemed ok for a while. I even changed the ECU out for another working one during this process.

Then recently I've had trouble with starting and idling especially when can has been used and is up to operating temp. I used the Rover Gauge software to check the idle control valve and used it to retract it manually (i.e. overriding the ECUs control) to let more air in as an experiment. Its never idled and revved from cold better. So i thought its the valve. I buy a new one, install and reset ECU. It starts and idles fine so i think I've cracked it.

Then the last few weeks its been running terrible and on Tuesday (on way to important hospital appointment of course!) it stalled soon after starting and wouldn't restart. It may have flooded due to lack of air causing lack of ignition so I pulled injector impact sensor out, effectively cutting off the fuel and tried to start. It ran on the residue fuel and pressure for a few seconds then cut out as expected. I then pulled the idle control valve plug out (making it locked fully retracted to provide max air flow) and then it started first time. I ran like this for a bit but idle was at 2000rpm and then starting hunting all over the place. I plugged valve back in and rpm settled back at 950rpm ish which is good. After hospital I started it again and it was awful. Rpm at idle was about 400rpm and nearly stalling. I nursed it home with careful heel toe revving and braking with clutch.

Anyone had anything similar on their V8?

Thanks

Rob

[gizzardio]

Hi. No I meant the actual electrical plug that fits into the stepper that's fed from ECU. I see the way its written may make you think what you said.

Well I've cleaned it all up and have watched the stepper extend and retract as the ECU tries to control it with the car running and the stepper valve unscrewed so its not the stepper that's sticking as such.

I guess I could try a whole new stepper motor but I got one from here rather than the proper cheap ebay ones.

http://www.lrdirect.com/ETC6660-Stepper-Motor-Sole...

[gizzardio]

Hi

Yes I am familiar with that ECU mate and have read all the instructions as its a great source of knowledge about the fuel injection system and more.

I have rover guage which is similar and shows all the ECU readouts on the laptop. I think its slightly differernt in complete functionality but is still good at watching live simultaneous readout info.

check out this for a screenshot showing the data.

http://alum.wpi.edu/~colinb/images/rovergauge_0.4....

Ive just been out working on car for last 2 hours and playing with stepper motor position and watching its effect on the idling and stalling. Still was playing up after all fiddling had been done.. ah well.
I did find a loose brake servo hose jubilee clip though as it connects onto plenum. I though yes! Its an air leak all along. Tightened it. Same problem. But small mercies, at least the brakes should be better.

[gizzardio]

Hi

yes, i've tried running engine warm and idling with the stepper in place and plugged in (when it actually can hold an idle) and then disconnected the plug to the stepper. It can then maintain that idle rpm which it should. But then if you drive it its totally fine with the throttle control but starts hunting wildly when stopping at the lights or something. From what you said, the stepper is prob not a fault then?

I'll check what you said about the rover gauge showing idle mode or not. indicated speed on the screen when stopped is zero which would suggest that the speed sensor is functioning ok.