[Pandora]

Just set out for the gym this morning and my Puma started to feel funny a couple of mins from home. Juddering when moving and then the engine indicator light came on. I turned round and re-started the car. Better for a couple of mins then the engine light came on again. Drove home by which time the engine light was just flashing. Any ideas? Spark plugs maybe?

I'm a car dunce and would like to try easy things before calling a garage - I wouldn't fancy driving it far with the light on and a tow will cost mea fair bit I imagine.

Car MOT'd last week and had a new break pipe but was otherwise OK. Drove fine this past week up to and including last night.

Ta in advance for any help.

[amino]

edit.

was thinking maybe oil, just check incase

This post has been edited by amino: 21 April 2007 - 08:29 AM

[Pandora]

Had forgotten to add that was the first thing checked - it's fine. Same level as always - it's not a thirsty cat! Car last serviced a little over a year ago.

If it helps I've got a 1.7 Y reg with just under 28k on the clock.

Errrm the car has a bit of a smell - the inside has been a bit pongy for a couple of days (not me!) I had put this down to the farmers muck spreading near work. Dunno if this is related - catalyst?

This post has been edited by Pandora: 21 April 2007 - 08:35 AM

[Pandora]

Update - if any can help!

Changed spark plugs - gap was almost 3mm and they didn't look like they had aver been changed despite having had services prior to me buying the car. The engine light has now gone out BUT still juddering and a weird smell coming from bonnet.

Any ideas?

[pumanurse]

If its a misfire it could be the coil pack or a HT lead problem. Don't think this would account for the funny smell tough.

Would a misfire result in incompletely burnt fuel being thrown down the exhaust which could result in the sooty deposits (think you mentioned them in another thread) ?? (Only a thought, not scientifically based )

This post has been edited by pumanurse: 21 April 2007 - 11:58 AM

[Pandora]

yeah it probably could. Just trying to find somewhere open that can chuck it on the computer to see what the engine is recording as the fault.

[sleeky]

Where are you based, someone local might have diagnostic gear you can use.

[Pandora]

Black Country. My local garage doesn't have the guy in today to do diagnostics but they said it was most likely the coil pack but wouldn't advise doing anything until diagnostics had been run. Tried loads of local garages round here but most are shut saturday or fully booked. Have sent it out with hubby to the local AA authorised service centre in town as they can fit it in today - £40 as opposed to the £35 my local guy would charge, found one place that was £20 but they were booked up til the middle of next week.

[Pandora]

Grrr the diagnostics didn't pull up any codes so stuck at square one. Car has now been taken elsewhere to check the coil pack. If nothing can be found it looks like a day off on Monday and a trip to my local garage

[Pandora]

Latest update.

Misfiring still.
New spark plug farthest right as you look at them (with the shortest lead) has black soot on the bottom of it.
Air filter seems to be making a chugging noise which turns to a bang when driving - misfiring through this too.
Coil pack not tested.

Looks like a day off work on Monday to get it sorted.

[Pandora]

PROBLEM SOLVED. Replaced ignition coil in case anyone else ever gets this problem. Car now running as per usual.

[happy-kat]

that's good.
seeing it is over due a service may as well get that organised

[Pandora]

I'm going to self service and do oil and filters seeing as I've done spark plugs. Gotta find out what's up with the handbrake now - never rains but it pours!!

[gatito]

I have a 1.7 year 97, without engine check light, 5 days ago my car began to judder, to have irregular idle and any power, not able to move without revving a lot the engine.

Could it be the hego sensor?

My doubt is because, once the water temperature is ok, the engine seems to work properly, it´s possible that with less performance, but regular idle and not evident problem when revving.

If I restart with hot engine, no evidence of problems!

In the past I had problems in any situation (cold/hot water engine) and to replace the ignition coil was the solution.

Any idea?

[Clawz]

HEGO problems are usually coupled with extraordinary fuel usage (150 miles on a tank) and a black, soothy exhaust.

Your problem sounds more like an ignition problem