fonz

Engine has cut out 3 times in 6 months. Just driving along normally and then silence, pull over wait 30 secs and then she will start again. can happen at any speed or rpm any ideas?

Happy 2010 Scoobynetters

Splitpin

Yes, give us something to work with.

What type and age of car are we talking about?

Does the dashboard/clock/etc. go dark?

Does the check engine light come on, either during the fault or after you start the car the next time?

Is this a gradual process - do you have any prior warning or is it sudden, like someone's thrown a switch?

What happens if you don't wait 30 seconds before attempting to restart?

Answer questions like that and we have some idea where we're going.

robimportwagon

possibly a faulty ecu/ignition relay? or could be telephone mast interfierance?

360ste

iTrader: (1)

Would not think telephone mast as the car starts 30 seconds after, something is getting hot and breaking a circuit. But once cooled is fine could be a relay getting tired or a corroded contact somewhere. As it is doing it so infrequently it's going to be a sod to find unless someone else on here has had the same problem.

fonz

Uk turbo yr 2000. No warning whatsoever can be doing 70mph or 7. No engine lights comes on immediatley as engine is still turning though not running ,once stationary or clutch is depressed normal ignition light come on. If restart is attempted immediately engine does not fire just spins.usually starts within 30 sec coz immobiliser ha not kicked in. All ideas appreciated, as yet has not done this in a dangerous place.

Splitpin

Well, this is a little more like it, although I'll say now that an intermittent fault that appears as rarely as yours seems to is likely to be a pest to conclusively isolate.

Is the original fit Sigma M30 alarm/immobiliser system still present?

Right. If you cycle the ignition immediately after this, do you recall hearing the fuel pump reprime for a second or so as per normal?
When you subsequently restart the engine, does it sound absolutely normal, or do you get a semblance of a cough or splutter immediately as it catches and tries to start?

First thing to do is do the black plugs thing and see if your ECU has stored any fault codes. If you find any, make a note and let us know what they are and then reset the ECU. First time the problem occurs, black plugs again and see if any of the errors have recurred.

If you don't see any errors now, this would add weight to a theory in which one of the immobilisation relays (or another fault) in the Sigma alarm ECU is interrupting the fuel pump, or whatever is connected to the second immobilisation channel, thereby killing the engine. This seems more likely than the main ignition relay dropping out, but it's impossible to be certain at this point. Could yet be something else entirely.

This is only a theory though and, as above, intermittent faults are the worst to find. Answer the questions above and a little more light should be shed.

fonz

Thank you for the quick reply will try the "black plug thing" as soon as i get a chance. The Sigma alarm is still fitted and doing its thing. Last time it cut out was at 70 rolled for a bit then tried popping the clutch to restart, had no joy. When stopped tried listening for fuel pump but all was quiet. Oh and drove completely normal after

rob2613

Hi ya....i know someone who has a 2000 uk car and he has the same problem and he has come to think that everytime he goes under electric pylons this actually happens like you say it does it at any speed, probably worth having a look when it happens again???? Hope this helps