HELP WITH IDLE ??? PROBLEM

[jarc1]

Hello
Only literally just joined your club and looking for help, comment, advice etc.
R Reg Terrano 2. 2.7TDi
Problem:
Engine will not idle correctly. Idles for a few minutes then misses a beat or two and then returns to idle. After every missed beat it throws out a reasonable cloud of white to blueish smoke. Does not smoke when idling correctly.
No loss of power. No black smoke.
Have certain thoughts on Air Flow Meter. Idle Control Valve. Throttle Position Sensor.
Your advice on where to start would be greatly appreciated. I am not inclined to start replacing each of the various items in the hope of eliminating the problem, due to the costs involved.
Many thanks
John

 

[Guest]

Certainly sounds like it could be the air flow meter. If you do a search there are a few topics on this running and they may help.

How long since it was last serviced? It may just need a damm good service and a run.

Welcome to the club BTW.

 

[jarc1]

Vehicle is kept reularly serviced.
I am inclined to be thinking Air Flow Meter.
Can this unit be checked in any way.

 

[jace]

cheapest way to unplug the airflow meter if no difference your suspicions are right!

 

[jarc1]

Contrary to my own argument, I find it somewhat unprobable that it is the AFM, as a failed unit usually results in a loss of power.
The car has no loss of power.
:?: Is it possible to have an intermitent fault on the afm. Is it not that it is either working correctly or does not work at all?????? :?:

 

[jace]

without an afm working proper most cars wouldnt pull greasy man outve bed the vw/seat alahmbras mate used to run as taxis were dangerous to drive with dead afm! never had one down on my tdi so couldnt say for sure! post your location some member nearby may let you try there afm just to 100% prove the theory!

 

[jarc1]

Yes, that would be good to try a unit that is known to be working correctly.
I`m located Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Many thanks.

 

[jarc1]

Believe there are only two makes of AFM fitted.
Bosch and Hitachi.
Is either of these more likely than the other to fail.

 

[jace]

i think its the early hitatchi ones that quite prone to fail i could have this wrong though check ebay sometimes new ones turn up on there dirt cheap.
which is fitted to your motor make sure dont bid on wrong type!

 

[jarc1]

Still trying. (Yes I know.......... very trying)

Disconnected the AFM, in an attempt to identify if it is working or not.
Resulted, as one would expect, in a loss of power. Reconnect and the power is back.

Conclusion is that the AFM is working.

BUT.......does anyone have the knowledge of these units to know if they can have an intermittent fault. I.E. is it a case of they either work or they do NOT work.

Many thanks

 

[jace]

there is a download showing how to check it out with multi meter but doesent sound like amf if u get bigger probs when disconected!

 

[jarc1]

jace
Yes, my thoughts exactly.
Where to go next ??????????
Thanks, John

 

[jace]

fuel filter or dirty fuel i had this ran low as dared filled up clean fuel about 5miles later fuel worked way through system was good as gold

 

[jarc1]

Have done additional test on AFM. with multimeter and result shows everything is in order. Removed AFM and housing and thoroughly cleaned.
Have now ruled out any problem with AFM.

Looking towards it being a fuel problem. or more correctly, fuel starvation problem is my thought now. It has had a new fuel filter and air filter.

Have night off (work permanent nights) on Friday so I intend attempting to remove the so called Mini Fuel Filter on the pump. Have read on this forum many references to this particular item. It seems a lot of people have cured a lot of problems with this part. Lets hope it is my (or more correctly the wifes problem, ...... no the wife is not misfiring, just her car).
That is if this 2.7TDi, has the filter. There appears to be a question as to whether or not it is fitted to all of these particular models.

 

[jace]

mini filter not fitted to tdi model so scratch that is fuel filter seated properly not sucking air or anthing silly! hope weathers better friday night or do u have garage to get front end into even gazebo thingy keep rain off back!

 

[jarc1]

Thaks for that.
Saved a lot of time and effort, going by what I read.

:? :?: Does the TDi have a Idle Control Valve and if so where is it located? I cannot seem to find one, although cannot see how it operates without it. I really am "clutching at straws" now.

Whats this about weather.... were you not aware that we are in the middle of summer?????? :smile:

 

[jace]

i think everything is controlled by scensors in pump and ecu

 

[jarc1]

OK thanks, thant rules out an idle control valve.
I think we need some "divine intervention" now.

Just do not know where to go from here.

Anyone else have any ideas or even like to hazard a guess???????

Many thanks
John

 

[jarc1]

With the help of info found in Workshop Downloads I have now read the Engine Trouble Codes. Two found.

12. which is MAF
this is a surprise as I had previously tested the MAF and found that all was ok, according to the readings.

21. Fault Location is:
fuel injection timing solenoid/injector needle lift sensor malfunction.
and the Probable Causes are:
- wiring
-fuel injection timing soenoid
-injector needle lift sensor
-CKP sensor (just what is that ?)
-air in fuel

Do NOT know how old these readings are so I have reset the memory and will let the vehicle run/be used and then read the codes again.

Comments, advice etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jace]

bet when you had maf off to clean ignition was on its picked up no maf so stored fault code! im sure theres a fix with some wires on no.1 injector wiring for some common fault wonder if this is your prob try a search for inj probs see if you can find it sure itll be toolbox he seems to know these trucks inside out!