Cars and Blondes....

[Bender]

sounds like an idling sensor issue or blocked filter/valve to me. does the car seem to hunt with the revs, or is it just an obvious, yet slow stepping as the revs drop?

[David F]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I was thinking throttle cable sticking but that doesn't usually cause it to cut out does it?.....Just increases revs at rest?

I dunno just guessing lol

[Pia]

Originally Posted by Bender

sounds like an idling sensor issue or blocked filter/valve to me. does the car seem to hunt with the revs, or is it just an obvious, yet slow stepping as the revs drop?

I don't really know what you mean, but basically the car isn't trying to move with the revs it's just making the noise, it doesn't physically make the car do anything different. Well not that i'm aware of anyway, i have nothing to compare it with, i've been driving for about ohhhhh 2 days?

[G UK]

If this only happens with the car moving it could be the vehicle speed sensor, if it happens even when stationary it could be a clutch position sensor (if its got one) or something in the gearbox dragging.

My advice, if you can get any error codes from the ecu do so. Also try reducing the idle revs with the adjustment screw on the throttle body, let it settle for a while then test to see if its still doing it.

Edit: Oh and get a friend who knows cars to have a quick look before taking it to a garage

---------- Post added at 20:50 ---------- Previous post was at 20:42 ----------

Another quick thought.

Start the engine and let it warm up. Whilst Parked and listening to the revs depress the clutch. Do the revs rise?

I believe this could give us a good idea at what we are looking at.

[Graham M]

Silly question Pia and no I'm not calling you an idiot, but are you sure you're not just pressing the clutch/brake brake/accelerator at the same time I do that if the shoes I'm wearing are too big!

[Pia]

Originally Posted by G UK

If this only happens with the car moving it could be the vehicle speed sensor, if it happens even when stationary it could be a clutch position sensor (if its got one) or something in the gearbox dragging.

My advice, if you can get any error codes from the ecu do so. Also try reducing the idle revs with the adjustment screw on the throttle body, let it settle for a while then test to see if its still doing it.

Edit: Oh and get a friend who knows cars to have a quick look before taking it to a garage

Error codes from the ecu? How do i do that then?

Another quick thought.

Start the engine and let it warm up. Whilst Parked and listening to the revs depress the clutch. Do the revs rise?

I believe this could give us a good idea at what we are looking at.

No they don't, i did already test this tonight when i got home. It will only start doing it generally when i'm already moving, but it doesn't stop as soon as i stop the car.... not much in time difference though

---------- Post added at 20:58 ---------- Previous post was at 20:57 ----------

Originally Posted by Zeph

Silly question Pia and no I'm not calling you an idiot, but are you sure you're not just pressing the clutch/brake brake/accelerator at the same time I do that if the shoes I'm wearing are too big!

Well this is what i wondered, because i am basically a new driver as of 2 days ago.... but my boyfriend did say it definitely wasn't that cos it did it for him too, plus i made him look at my feet when driving and he could see i wasn't on the gas and it was doing it then

[Graham M]

Oh well was worth a try, I do it sometimes if I'm wearing my gym trainers, I tend to drive in sensible shoes normally.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

What colour is the soot on the inside of the tail pipe? If its dark (black) and damp would tend to suggest its running too rich

Does it only do this when cold? Could be the auto choke if its naturally aspirated

When it does this does it blip too fast and then slow down?? Could indicate a speed sensor fault

[mr_bo]

Is it apparent all the time or does it calm down after a few miles?

[Pia]

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

What colour is the soot on the inside of the tail pipe? If its dark (black) and damp would tend to suggest its running too rich

Does it only do this when cold? Could be the auto choke if its naturally aspirated

When it does this does it blip too fast and then slow down?? Could indicate a speed sensor fault

Hmmmmmm i'll get back to you on that

Originally Posted by mr_bo

Is it apparent all the time or does it calm down after a few miles?

It happens less when i've not been driving for long.... we first noticed it after driving about 15 miles.... i drove the 3 or 4 mile round trip to school/work this morning and it didn't seem to be doing it, not until tonight when i'd been driving more/longer.

---------- Post added at 21:18 ---------- Previous post was at 21:16 ----------

I should also mention that the first day i had the car it was really hot weather and the car was in the red on the temp gauge, i live right near a tyre fitting garage and the bloke in there said it seemed to be circulating water (?) so was fine, anyway it's stayed at a good temp ever since then so i guess it was the weather?

This revving problem does warm the car up though as you'd expect....

[G UK]

Originally Posted by Pia

Error codes from the ecu? How do i do that then?



No they don't, i did already test this tonight when i got home. It will only start doing it generally when i'm already moving, but it doesn't stop as soon as i stop the car.... not much in time difference though

I'm thinking Vehicle Speed Sensor or loose Idle control screw then. I'll try and find some pictures if you know which type of engine its got probably CVH or Zetec. In basic terms it'll be next to the end of the throttle cable in the engine bay, bit that moves on the intake when you press the throttle.

To check the fault codes theres normally a plug that is used to plug into a computer the garage have, you can normally read error codes by shorting a particular pair of wires with a paperclip and then turning on the ignition. The engine check light should then flash the code.

Without knowing this car though I dont know if this procedure is possible and if so where the plug is or what wires to short, the safest bet would be to get a garage to check the error codes. I would still check the idle control screw first though.

---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:22 ----------

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

What colour is the soot on the inside of the tail pipe? If its dark (black) and damp would tend to suggest its running too rich

Does it only do this when cold? Could be the auto choke if its naturally aspirated

When it does this does it blip too fast and then slow down?? Could indicate a speed sensor fault

I thought they were all EFI by that point and they dont have a choke as such?

[mr_bo]

Originally Posted by Pia

It happens less when i've not been driving for long.... we first noticed it after driving about 15 miles.... i drove the 3 or 4 mile round trip to school/work this morning and it didn't seem to be doing it, not until tonight when i'd been driving more/longer.

If it was apparent all the time I would suggest cold start is playing up

Originally Posted by Pia

I should also mention that the first day i had the car it was really hot weather and the car was in the red on the temp gauge, i live right near a tyre fitting garage and the bloke in there said it seemed to be circulating water (?) so was fine, anyway it's stayed at a good temp ever since then so i guess it was the weather?

This revving problem does warm the car up though as you'd expect....

An efficient car should never do that, but having said that the temp gauge on your type of car does commonly play up so unfortunately it really is impossible to pin point any specific fault over an internet forum.

Coupled with the revving issue you really are going to have to get it looked at by a garage, I would try a reputable Ford dealer and ask them to diagnose only first before repairing as they have good product knowledge and should be able to diagnose quickly albeit a higher labour rate, a smaller, cheaper garage may spend longer trying to find the fault.

I know it is not what you want to hear and if you were nearer I would gladly take a look but it's the best advice I can offer.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/po...ex.htm?t=33005

[Angua]

BTW the throttle cable is the one that connects from the accelerator to the engine (somewhere) to make more fuel go through to speed the engine up.

[Pia]

Thanks

I've just been over to see a friend and i asked her husband about it - he's not a mechanic but he said the accelerator cable could be sticking - i guess this is the throttle cable you're talking about?

Anyway, he put some WD40 on it, i'll see how it goes tomorrow, i didn't drive it on the way home for long enough for it to start doing it.