Engine Cut Out

[Schazzar]

Funny thing happened today - popped up the headlights and the engine cut out after a surge in revs. Any ideas?

[350matt]

Is this repeatable? If so then I'd check that the headlamp operation is free and easy as if it's stiff. Then the alternator will have a hard time supplying the current and the ECU may be opening the idle speed control valve to compensate for the drop in engine speed - hence the surge in revs.

Matt

[Danny Hoffman]

You don't say which engine, but I don't beleive the V8 has the idling speed controlled by the ecu

Danny

[Schazzar]

Sorry guys I have a V8. I don't think the pod's are stiff. I'm just wondering though if the pinking problem I've been having of late is also ECU related?

[wedg1e]

Could be a bad earth somewhere; the pods drawing current is dropping the voltage reaching the ECU. Start at the battery terminals, then engine/ chassis earth leads. After that, I wouldn't want to be you.... ;-)

Ian

[Schazzar]

Thanks Ian - your'e so encouraging!

[TIM WOOD]

Have a similar problem at the moment............

Car cut out a few weeks ago then no power to the fuel pump so bypassed it by running live off the side lights.

As the above problem dissapeared I thought it was an intermittent relay but a symptom was irregular dipped / main beam / light pod operation.

I now believe the problem is to do with suspect wiring behind the top of the relay bank. As my car is waaay
from so called standard with a bank of extra relays and a whole host of additional fuses its pretty dificult sorting out whats what ( with no recorded layout ). If you wiggle the top 2 relays it creates all sorts of wierd effects on the lighting & fuelling.

Only way out is to get someone to remove fuse/relay boards & make up a new one .... I'm just really worried about the potential costs involved !!!

Maybe similar problems to yours ??

I may not be an electrical genius but a five year old could have made a better job than the 'bodgers' of Blackpool

Anbody suggest a top electrical wizard based in the s.east ??

Cheers

Tim 450 SE

[Schazzar]

Cheers Tim - electrics aren't my strong point either. If it doesn't go away I'll get it sorted by a pro.