Get your heads around this one
Car is a '97 Beams, factory fitted, no modifications to the engine. I've got some videos I'll put up soon.
Basically, this has been a problem that has started quite some time ago now and got worse and worse. At first the car would just hesitate slightly under load, i.e. doing a third gear pull it would skip a little, like you had dirty fuel or something, or like it was misfiring. It would only happen maybe once or twice a month.
Gradually it got worse and happened more and more often, over the course of six months or so since 2013 maybe. It got worse and then began to affect the ability of the car to idle. Sometimes it will cut out on idle after an erratic period of varying revs. It cuts out very quietly. It was misfiring for sure now. The Check Engine Light was on periodically, on and off, during this time. It went off and has been since I (rather bravely) took the car on a long, 150mi run, during which it was surprisingly absolutely perfect! (Sunday June 30th). Previously the car had reported two error codes,
Now it barely starts. It splutters on start up, then will run. If you try and drive it, though, it's like it's in limp mode or something. One of the videos shows when I put my foot down it won't rev at all for a few seconds, then it will stutter up to 3000 odds. It's totally un-drivable now.
My first thoughts were problems in the ignition system or dirty fuel. So the fuel filter has been changed and the coil on plugs have also all been changed at quite some expense. It had a weepy rocker gasket so that was changed as well as the spark plug well gaskets. The beams of course doesn't have dizzy cap or rotor arm. The plugs are new. I also disassembled the entire intake system and cleaned out all the gunge up to the throttle body. I cleaned the MAF sensor. The car had error codes 34 and 41 stored, which are Turbocharger Pressure Signal and Throttle Position Sensor, weirdly. One of the Beams guys tells me Turbocharger Pressure Signal is ISCV related, and to clean ISCV.
So the next thing I was going to change was Throttle Position Sensor, which is now on order from Toyota, as well as new screws to replace the ones which will doubtless have to be drilled out. The only other thing I have heard is that the negative battery terminal is a bit loose in gripping even when tightened. I plan to clean the ISCV because it can't hurt and it's been suggested. I have noticed for the first time today that the exhaust has unburnt fuel in it, by the looks of things.
Help!
A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
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A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Last edited by synXero on Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Here's a video showing how lumpy and disturbed the start up is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ezak1ayung
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ezak1ayung
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Check the condition of the electrolytic capacitors inside the ECU. Failing capacitors can causes a range of unexplained symptoms.
Re: A whole host of symptoms
Thought about Lambda sensor? Although I admit, it doesn't sound much like it. Maybe for the sake of ease try disconnecting it and seeing how it runs... But if it makes a difference it might rule it out.
Hopefully the TPS sorts it. I had a similarish problem on mine - I actually got fed up with it and sold it as a result. I took it to a specialist in the area and about the best suggestion we could come up with was the fuel pump being screwed.
We were planning to fit a longer bolt with a banjo on the end of the fuel rail so that pressure could be checked - might be an idea for you. By then I had lost patience with the car and just wanted rid of it.
Hopefully the TPS sorts it. I had a similarish problem on mine - I actually got fed up with it and sold it as a result. I took it to a specialist in the area and about the best suggestion we could come up with was the fuel pump being screwed.
We were planning to fit a longer bolt with a banjo on the end of the fuel rail so that pressure could be checked - might be an idea for you. By then I had lost patience with the car and just wanted rid of it.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
does the beams have OBD2?? or is that 98 on?
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
It has JOBD spec OBDII but can't be read by non JOBD readers.
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
jon wrote:Check the condition of the electrolytic capacitors inside the ECU. Failing capacitors can causes a range of unexplained symptoms.
This is what happened with me
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Calum, before it starts costing you a fortune give Paul Woods a shout. He's really helpful in these situations and I've rarely seen him fail to resolve a problem like this even when he isn't in front of the car.
Drop him a PM either on here or TwoBrutal, I'm sure he won't mind me advising on his behalf.
Drop him a PM either on here or TwoBrutal, I'm sure he won't mind me advising on his behalf.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
That's not a bad idea actually. I believe I can also call out the RAC for a check up for no real cost so may do that too.
Re Lambda - it crossed my mind earlier in the year but I haven't replaced it. Looks like a xxxxxx to get changed.
Re ECU - I really hope it is not this. Beams ECUs are super hard to come by usually. I'd almost be better going standalone.
Re Lambda - it crossed my mind earlier in the year but I haven't replaced it. Looks like a xxxxxx to get changed.
Re ECU - I really hope it is not this. Beams ECUs are super hard to come by usually. I'd almost be better going standalone.
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
synXero wrote:
Re ECU - I really hope it is not this. Beams ECUs are super hard to come by usually. I'd almost be better going standalone.
Failed caps does not mean you have to get another ECU, they can be replaced quite easily! The only issue is when the liquid in the caps has been leaking out for long enough to start eating away at the copper traces on the PCB.
I strongly recommend you take 15 minutes to check.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Thanks jon, I will do so.
Here's some more videos.
Fuel in the exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtLKF4eyEM
Delayed engine revs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct8ncoEX0Ew
Troubled startup (particularly the second time): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L8kaJuMCho
Troubled startup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4p4Z6RZ8E0
Short drive, showing hesitancy to accelerate and very unhealthy sounds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16qrVKM73Dc
That last video is perhaps the most revealing.
Here's some more videos.
Fuel in the exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtLKF4eyEM
Delayed engine revs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct8ncoEX0Ew
Troubled startup (particularly the second time): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L8kaJuMCho
Troubled startup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4p4Z6RZ8E0
Short drive, showing hesitancy to accelerate and very unhealthy sounds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16qrVKM73Dc
That last video is perhaps the most revealing.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
what plugs are you using? you state they are new - when was this? if they are iriduims and you have been trying to start and run the car on low revs etc they could be your problem. They dont like getting wet ( unburnt fuel)
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
I have a spare maf sensor for one of those if you want to try it?
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
The plugs were inspected about two weeks ago and looked fine, first fitted perhaps one or two months ago at the most. I think they might well be iridium.
The spare MAF might be a very useful thing indeed... How much?
The spare MAF might be a very useful thing indeed... How much?
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Just send me a fiver postage and I'll send it.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
And it's a known good one is it? Thanks man I will definitely send you the fiver.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
MAF sensor swapped, TPS swapped... Problem not fixed.
I will be checking the ECU capacitors (will their failure be obvious?) and cleaning the ISCV. After that I'm running out of ideas.
I will be checking the ECU capacitors (will their failure be obvious?) and cleaning the ISCV. After that I'm running out of ideas.
Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
synXero wrote:I will be checking the ECU capacitors (will their failure be obvious?)
Check for any deposits around the leads of the capacitors, or discolouration/bubbling of the PCB coating.
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
Thank you Jon. How do I then repair?
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Re: A whole host of symptoms - just got weirder...
synXero wrote:The plugs were inspected about two weeks ago and looked fine, first fitted perhaps one or two months ago at the most. I think they might well be iridium.
The spare MAF might be a very useful thing indeed... How much?
I still think you would be better trying a new set of bog basic copper core plugs - cheap as chips from spark plugs .co.uk. I have had this problem before with iridiums.