Car struggles then stalls when started - Stepper Motor???

koolio1234 · Post by **koolio1234** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:18 pm

Lately, when I turn the key in the ignition to start her up, the engine turns and then all I hear is a churning sound like the engine is struggling to start and the needle shows that its idling really low like 200 - 400 rpm...after struggling for 2 - 3 seconds the engine will just stall. But it will usually start on every second attempt. Once it starts then its no problem at all, no stalling whatsoever. I've also noticed that if the engine was still warm then this doesn't occur. It only occurs when the engine is cold.

One other thing (not sure if this makes a difference) but I haven't driven the fto much in the last 2 weeks and in fact the last time I filled up fuel was over 2 weeks ago.

My question is:
Is this a stepper motor on its way out?

Ive searched around on here and some people have experienced similar symptoms and it turned out to be thee stepper motor.

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:22 pm

More likely your starter motor mate

Post by **aza013** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:00 pm

if the car is starting but splutering and then kicks up to normall reves sounds the same as what my one dose every now and then

the codes point to crank angle senser.

Post by **vipfto** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:00 pm

Bennoz wrote:More likely your starter motor mate

+1

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:41 pm

If the starter can't crank the motor over fast enough to reach idle (say 750rpm) then the computer will struggle to move the stepper around for such a low rpm. It will be confused, hence the spluttering.

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:21 pm

mines started to do that lately as well...
another thing is when cold its very hesitant
say like when cold it will go up to 2500rpm then drop a bit then rev up again to say 3000rpm then drop again for the first minute or two whilst driving... what could that be?
mines tip 95 gpx

koolio1234 · Post by **koolio1234** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:53 pm

Whats happening is exactly what Aza has described ^^^

And what Valandis has described also happens. It churns a bit and when it eventually 'catches' it shoots up to 2500rpm and slowly makes its way down as the engine warms up.

So Im concluding from what you said Ben and what ive heard from other peoples experiences its definitely the starter motor.

Can I change it myself or get a mechanic? How much am i looking at for a new one?

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:55 pm

u misunderstood mine...
when i put mine into drive and start driving when i get up to 2500rpm it hesitates and drops then again at a higher rpm for the first 30 secs or so

Post by **Bennoz** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:58 am

Valandis91 wrote:you misunderstood mine...
when i put mine into drive and start driving when i get up to 2500rpm it hesitates and drops then again at a higher rpm for the first 30 secs or so

Sounds like you need a service! The stepper does nothing while the car is driving.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:13 am

Valandis91 wrote:you misunderstood mine...
when i put mine into drive and start driving when i get up to 2500rpm it hesitates and drops then again at a higher rpm for the first 30 secs or so

Does it only do it when its cold? If so, i would say it sounds like 02 sensor, the heater is just about on its way out. Could be leads or coils too but i would start with o2 sensor

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:53 am

only been less than 4000km since my last service,,,
yeah it only does it when cold
i thought it may have been the o2 sensor as well!
cos i also get that rotten egg smell sometimes and bad fuel efficiency...
does it all lead to 02 sensor?
its definitely nott leads had new ones put on in last service

Post by **I8A4RE** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:29 pm

Rotton egg smell is usually your cat converter "shitting" itself and that could cause slight miss fires but i doubt it. I would be guessing that you have two issues

1) Cat dying causing smell
2) Heater on O2 sensor is rooted causing missfire

HTH

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:01 pm

it shouldnt be the cat as its a new high flow one that was put in last year...
so should i replace both o2 sensors?
the one before and after the cat or?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:02 am

If it was a cheap cat then yes it could be, especially if your 02 sensor is screwed.

When the 02 sensor is not reading correctly the ecu will run the engine rich to avoid damage. Running rich "CAN" lessen the life of a cat especially on the el cheapo brands.

In saying that one other person has complaining of rotten egg smell but it turn out to be a split cv boot which had flicked grease onto the exhaust.

The FTO only has one 02 sensor (at the front) the one in the rear is a cat temp sensor and doesnt need to be changed.

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:16 am

its not the cv boot cos i asked the mechanic to change it but then he said they were fine....

well ill get the o2 sensor changed...
and ill check the receipt to see how much the previous owner spent on the cat....

nvr2low · Post by **nvr2low** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:43 am

hey simon does that temp sensor need to be put in the exhaust . Mine never got put back in, does this effect anything.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:00 pm

nah mate what it is designed to do is throw a warning light if your exhaust temp gets too hot, which in turn would kill your cat quicker. Thats it as far as I know.

Post by **aza013** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:20 pm

ok this is out of the FTO owners manual

the temp sencer will show an overheatproblemwithin the exhaust system.
sShould the light show stop the vehicle for 10 minutes where there is NO dry flammable material such as dry grass etc. (unless you wish to make a clame and get a new FTO)

so yes Simon you have hit it right on

Valandis91 · Post by **Valandis91** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:59 pm

ok my cat cost $152...
is that a cheapo?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:16 pm

yeah definitly on the cheap side.