205 Cutting Out

[Guest brind]

Hello all. New member hoping to find help with this problem. I have searched but cannot find similar situation.

 

'92 205 1.6 petrol, auto. Several times the car has cut out while being driven by my wife. Sudden cut out as if ignition turned off. Potentially dangerous.

 

Normally, when the ignition is turned on the fuel pump can be heard running for a few seconds, then turns off. When car has cut out, if the ignition is turned on, the pump runs continuously (does not cut off) and the car will not even fire. With the single point fuel injection the pump circulates fuel via a mechanical pressure regulator and returns to the tank. There does not appear to be any electrical pressure sensor in the fuel circuit, so I am at a loss as to what the cause may be. I have checked that fuel is being delivered by the pump. Previously if the car was left for an hour or so it would restart.(ie pump stops seconds after turning ignition on). After the last incident the pump runs continuously and the car will not start.

 

Car has always started first time from cold. Cutting out normally occurs after about five minutes driving.

 

Any help would be gratefully received. Geoff.

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

Have you tried another engine control relay?

 

Are you getting a spark when its cut out but won't restart?

 

It could be the ignition amplifier dying which cuts the spark, from what you've put it sounds like the fuel pump relay isn't at fault because the pump is staying running.

 

Is the engine managment light flashing on when it cuts out or is it on permanently?

 

You can plug a fault code reader into your ecu to read any problems which might help.

 

Graham.

[Guest brind]

Hi Graham.

 

Thanks for the response. Sorry for the delay in replying.

 

I haven't changed anything, or checked for spark, I will do that tomorrow. The engine management light is glowing dimly, but it has always done this intermittently. It comes on for periods when the car is running fine. I have always put it down to the lamda sensor sooting up. I took it to a main agent soon after buying the car but their diagnostics could not trace a fault. They could only suggest changing the HT leads.

 

I agree with you that it does not appear to be the pump as it runs and delivers fuel. What I cannot determine is what stops the pump the few seconds after turning the ignition on.

 

I will check for spark and report back. Thanks for your help.

 

Geoff.

[welshpug 1,666]

when it cuts out, does the rev counter drop stone dead?

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

What I cannot determine is what stops the pump the few seconds after turning the ignition on.

I think thats normal, I can't remember hearing it on my mums 205 auto but it used to do it everytime on my white GTI.

 

This post by Damir links to a document to download how to make a faut code reader along with what the codes mean & this attachment also tells you what the codes mean & also how to read them if you have a Gunsons code reader.

 

Graham.

[Guest brind]

I think thats normal, I can't remember hearing it on my mums 205 auto but it used to do it everytime on my white GTI.

 

This post by Damir links to a document to download how to make a faut code reader along with what the codes mean & this attachment also tells you what the codes mean & also how to read them if you have a Gunsons code reader.

 

Graham.

 

I think I have found the problem. Checked for spark as Graham suggested. nothing. Re-studied wiring diagram and could see that there are two relays in the ignition / pump circiut, and linked to the start inhibitor on the auto box.

 

I swapped over the two identical relays in the box mounted to the bulkhead. Pump ran up and stopped, engine started. I have ordered a relay from my local motor factor and will let you know if this has permanently cured the problem. I still can't fathom what causes the pump to run up and stop.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

Geoff.

[Guest brind]

I think I have found the problem. Checked for spark as Graham suggested. nothing. Re-studied wiring diagram and could see that there are two relays in the ignition / pump circiut, and linked to the start inhibitor on the auto box.

 

I swapped over the two identical relays in the box mounted to the bulkhead. Pump ran up and stopped, engine started. I have ordered a relay from my local motor factor and will let you know if this has permanently cured the problem. I still can't fathom what causes the pump to run up and stop.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

Geoff.

 

Pleased to report, relay replaced and car running perfectly. As most relays on the car are identical I will carry a spare.

 

Geoff.