New 850 owner - a few small problems

Hi all,

I've recently bought a 95 850 2.0 20v, and love driving it. @ small problems have occurred though -

1. A slight hesitancy sometimes felt - as if the engine was misfiring momentarily. I've had a similar thing on my BMW bike - surging due to the settings of the ECU - are 850's known for this or is this a specific problem? Some days seem better than others - I'm pretty consistent with the fuel used so i don't think its that. Any suggestions?

2. Twice now it's failed to stard without a lot of cranking - and tonight it died for about 10 minutes. Could the two be connected?

I also have the faulty ignition switch symptoms (intermittent loss of ABS, Indicators, lights and speedo) - but thanks to this excellent forum have a good idea how to sort it!

TIA for any answers/suggestions

Cheers,

Jason

[Andy]

Jason

Is the slight hesitancy at idle or under load?

Mine 'fluttered' at idle, replaced rotor arm, cap and leads and all sorted, might just nead some TLC. I think the parts I changed were original, they certainly looked it. I wonder if they should have been replaced on the service schedule?

[warthog]

Hi,

my '95 T5 also has a slight hesitation when cold under light throttle openings. Various knowlegable people have all pointed to the Mass Airflow Meter as the culprit. The last time the car had a full diagnostic check on a rolling road the only item that was at the edge of spec. was the Mass Airflow Meter.

I'm leaving changing it until it gets worse as they are expensive. If it fails the car will continue to start & run, just not as well.

Interesting comments though on changing rotor arm, cap and leads. Could be that they are getting to the end of their life after 8 years.

Cheers

Brian

Andy,

The hesitancy is at all speeds - I don't notice it at idle, nor if i floor it. If i drive along at a constant speed, its like i've momentarily taken my foot a fraction off the gas and re-applied it - though its pretty subtle. Like I say, some days are better than others.

I'm taking it back to the garage I bought it from in the next few days, but any suggestions may make their life easier in diagnosing the fault.

Is checking the fault codes something one can do at home or does it need a specialist?

Thanks to all for your input so far,

Jason

[cootuk]

The poor starting could either be the fuel pump relay (you should hear the fuel pump running with the ignition on for about 6 seconds before it cuts out if you haven't 'started'), or the crankshaft position sensor - this could be telling the ECU that the engine isn't turning over and to cut the fuel pump out.

A dodgy sensor could also be the cause of the hesitancy. If a sensor fails, or if there is a loose connection causing intermittent failure then the ECU will try to single out the offending sensor. ASAIK This has something to do with ignoring the sensors until it finds the one that, when bewing ignored, causes the no change in symptoms.

Had this with my dad's Omega driving to Scotland. Started to do exactly what you say, almost like lifting just a fraction, then going fine again. Eventually it did this quite a bit, the engine management light came on (just as it started raining) and I pulled over (worried I had just broke my dads new car). He just got out, calm as you like, started playing with the connectors (waggeling them), told me to start the car, and low and behold, no lights and I was given an explanation simler to the one above (he is a mechanic).

Good luck

Stu