FTO GR Cutting Out / Not Idiling properly!

briencrean · Post by **briencrean** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:33 pm

Hi everyone,

My FTO doesn't seem to be idiling properly out of gear and it is now cutting out when I clutch and brake fully when coming to a

stop (very embarassing in traffic!). It seems to be now cutting out almost every time while in traffic when I clutch and brake

fully in 2nd gear.

I just fixed a problem with my starter motor recently which had to be refurbished and I'm not sure if my battery needs to be

replaced as well because it doesn't seem to be holding its charge very well. It was just under 12V when I started it today.

To be honest the car needs a service but, Im just wondering what could be causing this, the timing belt, altenator, sparks, fuel

pump?

The car was supposedly serviced in November by the last owner but I am skeptical!

Thanks

Brien

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:37 pm

Could be 2 problems. Idle could be a stepper issue, clutch in & stalling issue is more than likely a shot clutch master or slave cylinder.

briencrean · Post by **briencrean** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:11 am

Thanks Bennoz. I took off the stepper motor today. It had a thin-ish layer of black carbon around the plunger and inside the recess on the throttle body so I cleaned it with WD-40 and a lint free cloth. I also reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery for 45mins.

I put everything back together. It seems to have made a little improvement, but the car is still not idling properly. When I start the car it idles at about 1,100 revs. Before I cleaned the starter motor it was idling at about 1,500 revs. After I start driving for a bit and come to a stop out of gear or fully clutched the revs go randomly between 900 700 and 600 revs sometimes. And now rarley the car will cut out.

Is this a faulty stepper motor?

The car is in need of a full service anyway so I think I'll start with one this weekend!

Post by **vipfto** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:25 am

Yip sounds like stepper to me.......

Grue · Post by **Grue** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:34 am

Any luck?

mine's just started doing exactly the same! Idling's hunting a lot when cold (needle up and down), and stalling in traffic almost everytime when i brake/clutch and come to a stop.

I cleaned my stepper motor and ecu reset about 3weeks ago cos the revs were a bit jumpy, but now it's all gone to rat sh1t.

95% sure it's the stepper, so will be replacing that before looking at anything else.

Let us know how you get on.

Post by **vipfto** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:27 am

Yeah mine did same thing when i replaced starter couple weeks ago tried cleaning it but only quick fix then replaced it and alls good now

Grue · Post by **Grue** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:12 am

Did you go for the Kempy's refurb?

Sinalot · Post by **Sinalot** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:19 am

Nobbie question, but ideally what should a GPX be idling at?

Grue · Post by **Grue** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:28 am

it'll be high while she's cold, but warmed up should be around the 500rpm mark, maybe slightly over.

briencrean · Post by **briencrean** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:13 am

Grue wrote:Any luck?

mine's just started doing exactly the same! Idling's hunting a lot when cold (needle up and down), and stalling in traffic almost everytime when i brake/clutch and come to a stop.

I cleaned my stepper motor and ecu reset about 3weeks ago cos the revs were a bit jumpy, but now it's all gone to rat sh1t.

95% sure it's the stepper, so will be replacing that before looking at anything else.

Let us know how you get on.

To be honest my FTO seems to be running fine at the moment. It has only cut out once or twice since I cleaned the motor and reset the ECU. It idles at between 1,100 and 1,500 revs when cold but is averaging at about 900 revs when warm, but it needs a service anyway. I'm not sure if this is normal but I always understood that 900 is the average idle when warm.

Im just locating parts, etc for a service so I'll update once I finish the service. Someone also mentioned that my Throttle position switch is off, so I think that needs to be adjusted as well and might fix all my issues?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:18 am

idle is suppose to 700 +/- 50 but 900 is fine

briencrean · Post by **briencrean** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:50 am

I8A4RE wrote:idle is suppose to 700 +/- 50 but 900 is fine

Cool thanks I8A4RE. Whats the normal idle for an engine running cold? If I adjust my throttle position swtich maybe I could bring both idle levels down a bit?

Or should I just leave well enough alone?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:19 am

ill check the manual today for you if i get a chance but 1500 sounds about right

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:01 pm

1500 is a little high, should be more like 1200-1300.

I'd say your stepper is on its way out & yes the TPS may need help. You can pull the TPS off & clean it up as well. Just be careful, when removing it, you can get 'boing' and little springs going everywhere...

jonowong · Post by **jonowong** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:04 pm

ive got a stepper for $90 if you want it

briencrean · Post by **briencrean** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:58 pm

jonowong wrote:ive got a stepper for $90 if you want it

Thanks I think I'll try a couple more things first before I buy a new stepper. But I might take you up on the offer if I cant fix it.

Bennoz wrote:1500 is a little high, should be more like 1200-1300.

I'd say your stepper is on its way out & yes the TPS may need help. You can pull the TPS off & clean it up as well. Just be careful, when removing it, you can get 'boing' and little springs going everywhere...

I might try this later today, hopefully I wont lose any springs!!