At last it starts...

[Supragal]

Been through that, sadly it's not.

[Paullyp]

If I remember you have changed the usual parts, coilpack,flywheel and cam sensor. I can only have a guess that you may have a faulty ECU, the next time it fails to start remove the ECU spray wd40 on the ECU pins and the connecting plugs in the ECU box, failing that, check that there is fuel at the rail, if there is I can only suggest changing your distributor cap and the coil lead. If you want give me a call and we will go through it again,P

[jonj]

I am thinking ECU now too, how much would an ECU cost me?

[Paullyp]

I am thinking ECU now too, how much would an ECU cost me?

Second hand are £80-120,P

[jonj]

Okay thank you.

I went and had a chat with the main dealer yesterday after work. It seems the fault is becoming more and more frequent, as a result it is becoming more difficult to diagnose.

They have excluded the Immobilser which is good. They drive it for about 30 mins, bring it back to the garage and allow it to stand for 15 mins and then it fails. They quickly plug it in and begin running tests on each component/circuit individually and then all of a sudden it jumps into life? Then they have to start the process again, some days it is perfect and never fails.

I can't stop thinking that the first garage that looked at it (RT Mechanics) had it for a few days and never managed to start it, then it went to the main dealer and they couldn't start it either until they removed the ECU and replaced it. Ever since then it has been on and off most days. Immediately after they cleaned the ECU it was ok for about 3 days. Now it stops working most days.

Sounds like something electrical around the ECU to me, maybe one of the pins on the ECU, maybe a break in a wire from one of the components sending a signal to the ECU.

They are plugging it into their 'Black box' today and hopefully this will say which signal is missing which pin of the ECU.

[Adge]

Fingers crossed jonj. Must be an absolute pain in the a..... You do all you can to resolve a problem and still it beats you!

[Paullyp]

I hope they find the missing signal but don't bet on it, give me a bell or send me the part number on your ECU,I also need your engine size and spec, ie air con, 20 valve, manual or auto etc etc, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,P.

[V70Man]

There's nothing worse than an intermittent fault, extremely hard to find.

I had the same problem with a previous car, and it turned out to be the immobiliser. Took donkey's years to resolve when someone finally noticed that everytime it wouldn't start the alarm/immobiliser light on the dash was flashing.

I'm not saying that's your problem, but it does make me feel for you. My car only failed 3 times in the year, but one was just before boarding a ferry. I had an hour to try and start it but nothing. I called the AA out but missed my ferry. I was so embarrassed as I was in a queue and all the cars had to try and drive round me. Then to make matters worse when the AA arrived it started first fu**ing time!! Grrrrr. Typical.

[jonj]

This is all sounding very familiar. Sometimes the light on the dash flashes like mad but it doesn't do it all the time and it doesn't always do it when it won't start. Sometimes it will start and the LED will still flash. I mentioned it to the garage but it hasn't done it since? It better not be that? I will call them again to remind them it was doing that.

How did you fix your in the end?

[jonj]

I hope they find the missing signal but don't bet on it, give me a bell or send me the part number on your ECU,I also need your engine size and spec, ie air con, 20 valve, manual or auto etc etc, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,P.

Thanks paul, I can't get the part number from the ECU as the car is still at the main dealer.

It is a 2.5 10 valve, manual. Although it has aircon now it didn't come with it, it was fitted about 2 years ago. It is a 97 P.

Let me know if you need anything else?

[Paullyp]

Once you have the part number send it to me, I will then get back to you with a little known secret, that I will pass on to you when you give me a call. Don't want any sneaky dealers learning my tricks,P.

[jonj]

Ok thank you. I will call the dealer today for a progress update.

[Adge]

Every time a see a posting on this link from jonj I get a buzz as I'm expecting an inspired solution.
Really feel for you !

[jonj]

I am glad you feel entertained by it I feel drained by it. If I ever get to the bottom of this I will let you know I promise.

There cannot be much more to check!

[Paullyp]

I am glad you feel entertained by it I feel drained by it. If I ever get to the bottom of this I will let you know I promise.

There cannot be much more to check!

Wanna bet,P.

[Adge]

Wanna bet,P.

That's no way to encourage the poor bloke.lol
It's great the way people, especially paullyp in this case, rally round and look for reasons and solutions.
Well done folks!

[jonj]

Apparently they think they have found it! (I will believe it when I see it) They said it is a 'control module?' I will get full details and the bill this morning so i will keep you posted!

[jonj]

It's great the way people, especially paullyp in this case, rally round and look for reasons and solutions.
Well done folks!

Yes you are right thank you everyone you have been a great help.

[jonj]

Ok I have the answer!!!!

ECU

Bill = £975 + vat

[t5owner]

Ok I have the answer!!!!

ECU

Bill = £975 + vat

Ouch thats not nice at all

Hope this resolves all your probs mate

Cheers

stuart