Technical Im stumped - coil pack 1 (maybe)

[scouser1968]

Hello all

55 plate - 1.2 8v

I had an issue with bad running a few weeks ago and engine management light was on. Took it to my usual garage who told me it had 3 faults. Lambda sensor, coil pack 1 and ECU.

Had the Lambda sensor changed - bad running still an issue

Next replaced the Coil pack 1

Still with the same issue with no other faults showing on the engine management test.

The guy at the garage said it could be the plugs and leads which I have just changed today (no change in fault)

With each fault changed the engine management has been set back to clear and the car ran ok for a little while before happening again

The fault has been intermittent, so can sort it self out for a little while

The actual fault is what I would describe as a mis fire and under power. It also makes a noise that sounds to me like a blow on the exhaust

I'm just looking for a steer on this really so I can maybe help the garage out so any help will be good

Thanks

 

[flisko]

when my car was stuttering-hesitant in accelerating, i changed coil packs and that fixed the problem, someone already suggested to remove the plastic cover from coil packs as it presumably causes overheating, on bad coil packs when u floor the throttle engine will hesitate but if u let go of the throttle and floor it again car will jump forward

 

[scouser1968]

Thanks Flisco.

I noticed the garage had replaced just one coil pack and so Ive just been out and bout an OEM part to replace the second.. still having the same issue :-(

What do you mean the plastic covers.. Mine have none

 

[flisko]

ohh i was thinking about mk1

 

[s and b]

the plugs that come from ecu and go onto the coil packs
consider these have jiggly jerked themselves to the point of making and breaking contact so giving your intermittantness
of course these ecus are capable of working then not working then not working total
have youi had any fuel gauge issues?

 

[scouser1968]

Thanks for the reply S&B

The ECU to Coil leads are these plug and play replacables or can I test them in some way?

I have had no issues with fuel gauge at all

Thanks

 

[scouser1968]

My garage has been in touch and they are now suggesting I should take the car to an auto spark.

I have realised I have had no service since bought (18 months) and no idea before that so its booked in for service on Monday, could this be the cause of my woes ?

Thanks

 

[fingers99]

Well, it won't have helped.

 

[scouser1968]

I know... I should have had it serviced before :-(

If I take it to an auto spark... what will happen, will that be to diagnose properly for the garage or would he fix it also?

 

[fingers99]

If he's any good he/she will fix.

 

[scouser1968]

Thanks Fingers

I used to have a number for a Liverpool mobile spark called Manfriedi, Ive lost the number, dont suppose you know of him or know of another?

Thanks

 

[fingers99]

There's lots of them, but quality varies enormously.

 

[scouser1968]

There's lots of them, but quality varies enormously.

Any recommendations

 

[fingers99]

No. You could ask your local factors, see if they know anyone, or your garage.

 

[dave]

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2-2b-guides/52068-punto-coil-ecu-checks.html

 

[flisko]

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2-2b-guides/52068-punto-coil-ecu-checks.html

nice one uncle dave, u beat me to it

 

[scouser1968]

Thanks for the subtle links lads .. I have been searching this all day but missed that one.

I can nip out and buy a test light tomorrow but when searching for these there seem to be different types so can you suggest which one I should get?

Thanks again

 

[scouser1968]

And so my ecu saga continues..... i sent my ecu to ecutesting.com and they tested and repaired my unit for £130. i put it on the car anx it ran fine... until the next day when my original fault returned.... sent unit back and they repaired again and yesterday i put it on the car and exactly the same fault.. didnt even run. i called an auto electric firm recommended by an rac man and when i called them they said 'dont bother repairing them it never works... just buy a new ecu'. I have priced the ecu ag two main dealers and got prices £350 & £450. so what to do? im not even 100% sure if i get a new ecu it will work.

Do you guys have any suggestions or do i have to buy the new unit?

thanks for your help with this so far

 

[homeward]

My gut feeling is that this isn't the ECU -- but that another fault is present, somewhere, that's causing the ECU to give up, each time you reinstall it. I know you've replaced coil pack 1; but I'd be tempted to replace both of them. :chin:

Edit: looks like you've replaced both, now I've re-read the thread. What happens if you swap them over? Are they both the same make; or does one look less 'quality' than the other...?

Have you had a look at the condition of the spark-plugs, since you changed them? Are they all the same colour, etc.? Did you run through the tests that dave pointed you to? What were the results? What have the ECU bods reported back, specifically, each time?

The last thing to check would be the earth and all other connections to and from the ECU. Are there any shorts; is there any corrosion on the connectors? Are all the pins straight? Something is wrong, somewhere; and you don't want to fry a new, expensive ECU if that isn't at the root of the problems you're having. I think lots of methodical work with a multimeter for continuity, etc. may actually be the way forward.... :idea:

 

[scouser1968]

Thanks for the reply homeward.

I had the RAC man on it for a long while as he wanted to try and solve the problem. he swapped both coil packs and said they were ok

he also checked the pins on the coil pack to the ecu (the leads to ecu) andnoted while one was at 7ohms one was at 4 ohms he said they should be the same. he also said this 4 ohm was on the black/brown wire but he couldnt trace it further.

i havenot checked the spark plugs since new fitted but will do that tomorrow. if all look the same i take it thats fine, if different what does that mean?

my problem is that beyond very basic stuff i really have no idea about cars so the tracing with my non existant multimeter isnt skmething i can do.