Technical Stilo cutting out?

[Ned Flanders]

Hi guys. I am the owner of a 2003 1.6 16V Dynamic Stilo. I have owned the car from new and it has given me virtually no problems, until recently. A few months ago, I noticed that my engine was cutting off if the revs dropped to 1,000 or below. This would happen if, for example I am changing gear (thus holding the clutch in lowers the revs). When it cuts out, I can immediately start the engine again, and the car would be fine. This seems to be getting worse. It now happens pretty much every day, especially first thing in the morning. Now it cuts off, maybe 5-10 times a day and it is becoming very irritating. I called in to my local Mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. When it cuts out, the battery light comes on, as if I'be just stalled the car.

This could be very dangerous as it sometimes happens when I take off from traffic lights or from a roundabout. Has anyone experienced this problems? If so, how did you fix it? I am a little unsure of taking it to my FIAT dealership as they 'stuck their arm in' the last time I went so I would like to avoid going there if possible. If it is a known fault then at least I can concentrate on getting it sorted. I really hope someone can help me. Best regards, Ned

 

[T14086]

Ask your dealer if throttle body/MAP update has been carried out,if not get it done.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Ask your dealer if throttle body/MAP update has been carried out,if not get it done.

How much does this cost? Is this the likely cause of the problem? Many thanks!

Ned

 

[ricardo]

I had this problem a year ago on my 1.6. I couldnt get it booked into my local Fiat garage , and the engine fault light was also stopping on.

In the end took it to a local indpendent , they cleaned the idle control valve and reset the computer. So far ( 10 months ) the problem hasn't recurred. I've aslo stopped using supermarket petrol and try to use premium petrol such as V Power, and Esso Supreme.

 

[jarofmustard]

Had same prob with my 52 1.8 dynamic. Problem was solved by cleaning the idle control valve (my dad did it using stuff from Halfords - dead easy, he said). Apparently a common problem with Fiats & Renaults because brake dust gets into the valve(?).

 

[Deckchair5]

Not so much, brake dust, but general gunge which is easy cleaned off with brake dust remover spray

 

[Ned Flanders]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. Sounds like you have worked out the problem. Where can I find this 'idle control valve'? And will the old brake dust remover spray do the trick? If it's that simple I'd rather do it myself, or at least try!

I'll be near a Halfords this evening so I'll call in and get the stuff. Does the 'Engine Fault' error also go away on it's own accord? Many thanks,

Ned

 

[PNL]

Hi there Ned your idle control valve is the same as the old butterfly flap as used in the older generation cars to find it find your air filter and follow the big black tube that comes from it this will end at the throttle body.
Now just undo the clip holding on the induction tube to the throttle body and push out of the way or remove it completely and look inside the throttle body and you will see the flap clean out any deposits off the flap and surrounding areas [VERY VERY carefully]and reconnect the tube

 

[Ned Flanders]

Thanks PNL I have purchased a brake dust remover/cleaner kit form Halfords this evening. I will have a look tomorrow after work if I can, or I may just see it out till the weekend when I have more time and do that and the rear bulbs all at once (thanks Deckchair 5 )

Thanks for the help guys. Brilliant!

 

[Ned Flanders]

Right, I think I should point out that I am a complete Novice and have barely looked under the hood of my Car. Can someone be more specific about where the 'Idle Control Valve' actually is? Do I need to remove one of the plastic covers? Where is the Air filter? If anyone has a picture of some kind it would be extremely beneficial to me!

Thanks again, at least I got the bulbs changed thanks to DeckChair

 

[killyourmama]

I'm going to give this a try on my 1.6 Stilo, think I should be able to follow the instructions (fingers crossed as I am a bit lost under the bonnet!) but just wanna know what I should be really really careful about when cleaning the idle control valve and throttle body?
PS: is a throttle body ever known by any other name? Throttle body sounds very daunting, but when I think of it as a part of the air intake system it seems a little more workable!

 

[Ned Flanders]

I'm going to give this a try on my 1.6 Stilo, think I should be able to follow the instructions (fingers crossed as I am a bit lost under the bonnet!) but just wanna know what I should be really really careful about when cleaning the idle control valve and throttle body?
PS: is a throttle body ever known by any other name? Throttle body sounds very daunting, but when I think of it as a part of the air intake system it seems a little more workable!

I still haven't got round to cleaning mine because I can't find it! If you do manage to locate the Idle Control valve, could you describe what it looks like and where exatcly I can find it? I would be very grateful. Thank you!

 

[Deckchair5]

Have a look in the Stilo guides under "Cleaning your inlet control valve"

 

[nowimboard]

Have a look in the Stilo guides under "Cleaning your inlet control valve"

All these names for things! No wonder all us newbies get confused!

 

[Deckchair5]

It's not surprising really - throttle- idle valve- butterfly valve-inlet control valve- idle actuator- idle control valve- idle pot- throttle valve - are all variations on "thingy that controls air into the engine"

 

[killyourmama]

It's not surprising really - throttle- idle valve- butterfly valve-inlet control valve- idle actuator- idle control valve- idle pot- throttle valve - are all variations on "thingy that controls air into the engine"

Ah! No wonder I've been confused!
I'll be looking at my "thingy that controls the air into the engine" when it stops raining up here. Give it a few days

 

[Ned Flanders]

Have a look in the Stilo guides under "Cleaning your inlet control valve"

Thank you for pointing that out. I didn't realise there was a guide on there. Seems pretty easy actually. The pictures help immensly. According to some of the photos, they were/are taken in the year 2082. Think the poster's name is Marty McFly

 

[PNL]

Thank you for pointing that out. I didn't realise there was a guide on there. Seems pretty easy actually. The pictures help immensly. According to some of the photos, they were/are taken in the year 2082. Think the poster's name is Marty McFly

Pictures are always an added bonus when doing repairs on a car just hope that my workshop manual materialises its a real pain doing a job and have to run in and out of the house to the PC and my wife shouting "GET OUT YOUR COVERED IN OIL"

 

[Toon]

Wish I had read this before taking mine to the dealer. I have been gettting the same problem although it only happens to me if im sitting in traffic for a while, The revs are normal then all of a sudden they drop and the lights dip and power lowers and then car tries to lift the revs itself then drops lower again and cuts out. This is not good either if Im on the end of a traffic jam as my lights go off aswell when the engine cuts out and in the dark someone coming behind mightend see me stopped.

Anyways I took mine to the dealer and asked them to let me know before doing any work as if its not covered by the warranty and its going to cost a bomb I will be looking for somwhere cheaper.

They said they done the dianostic check (which i had to pay) but they could not find any faults (said it had a cylinder 3 fault bit it cleared) and said come back when the fault developes and gets worse. Some mechanics they are like!! ha. I'm going to take it the local garage for them to have a look but been reading this and least I have an idea what the problem could be with mine now

 

[Ned Flanders]

Wish I had read this before taking mine to the dealer. I have been gettting the same problem although it only happens to me if im sitting in traffic for a while, The revs are normal then all of a sudden they drop and the lights dip and power lowers and then car tries to lift the revs itself then drops lower again and cuts out. This is not good either if Im on the end of a traffic jam as my lights go off aswell when the engine cuts out and in the dark someone coming behind mightend see me stopped.

Anyways I took mine to the dealer and asked them to let me know before doing any work as if its not covered by the warranty and its going to cost a bomb I will be looking for somwhere cheaper.

They said they done the dianostic check (which i had to pay) but they could not find any faults (said it had a cylinder 3 fault bit it cleared) and said come back when the fault developes and gets worse. Some mechanics they are like!! ha. I'm going to take it the local garage for them to have a look but been reading this and least I have an idea what the problem could be with mine now

That is exactly what happens to mine. It would also cut out if I am slowing down maybe at a roundabout and sometimes it would cut off while still in motion. Once the revs get near the idling point the engine will cut off sporadically. Like you say, this mostly happens when coming up to lights etc. Happens 5-10 times a day for me.