Tried cleaning the icv m8 it was dirty but wasn't the problem I found the problem by spraying carb cleaner around the bay with the engine running as soon as it got near the manifold it was sucked in and dropped the revs for a second

 

I not only cleaned my idle control valve, I also tried the one from my brothers ver6 (which is working perfectly), but its still doing it

Sprayed brake cleaner all round the engine bay and manifold, didnt change the rev's at all. Also tried hooking up to a diagnostic computer (but as said you need a program for Simtek) so that didnt work.

I even cleaned the throttle body butterfly valve... I've checked everywhere for air leaks but no joy

 

I need that fault code read... as this problem occured at the same time the 'check engine' light came on it must be linked and therefore give an answer?

Where can I go to get it read? I asked Garage D who are near me in Watford, but they dont have the Simtek program.

 

do you have to oe ecu?

 

when the car is started is the idle lower and then rises over a few seconds?

 

I dont have the original ECU...

When the car is started its at 1500rpm then gradually rises to about 2-2500 and after its been driven a bit it likes it around 3000rpm

 

could be a problem with the stepper motor drive component in the ecu in which case you either need an oe ecu to try or take it to some1 who does simtek so it can be iliminated

 

I get my car mapped by Bob Rawle... It's actually booked in for a remap next Sat, altho from Herts to Swindon is a long way to go if its non ecu related. I guess I got no choice, I've iliminated all other avenues so the last thing is the ecu.

A reason I also suspect its the ecu is that my car usually boosts to 1.7 and holds at 1.5. Its now only boosting to 0.8-0.9. Unless the Simtek purposely reduces the boost when there's an engine fault as like a protection/safety mode kinda thing?

 

m8 ring or email bob he,s very helpfull and if your due to get a map with him he will want to know about this and wouldnt want to waste your time or his

 

I've been speaking to Bob, he suggested I check the map sensor and fuel pressure regulator which I did and its not them.

I need a local guy that can read Simtek error codes...

 

Mate shame you still have this problem as we need to go for a drive soon!!!! Have you thought about trying to get hold of chris todd?? used to work at torque of the devil?? or what about simon jgm?? Russ knows fiesta boy, does he do simtec?

 

Alex, have you tried unplugging the MAP sensor? I wouldn't suggest driving on it as the car will be as rich as you know what.

Sure it's not the ICV motor that has gone? Mine did this last year and was due to the stepper motor packed up. Fitted new ICV and worked well but needed the ECU adjusted when it went on and then a few weeks later once the new ICV became a little bit more loost.

Also, do you have coolant delete from the throttle body?

Steve

 

I might ask Russ to get hold of Fiesta Boy, let him have a butchers? I spoke to Bob and he said that with a Simtek you dont get error codes and the engine check light is solely a shift and det indicator now.

 

I unplugged and swapped the map sensor over with my bro's (he has exactly the same car), but it kept stalling and the anti lag stopped working so I put mine back - no change to my problem.

Is the ICV motor in the actual unit or somewhere else? I've swapped over the ICV with my bro's and it made no difference, but if the motor is elsewhere then that sounds promising?!

I'm a bit confused about the coolant delet from the throttle body? I dont have any coolant pipes feeding in to the throttle body is that what you mean?

 

BTTT come on guys I'm waiting to go out for a blast when it's sorted!!!

 

lol very frustrating but im out of ideas? must be ecu related?

 

Gutted for him Snake. he has invested a lot of money in the car and it looks the nuts!

 

its never good when we get problems with our cars even more so when we have thrown endless money at them i know just how he,s feeling ive spent 40k on my p1 and most of the time i just want to smash it up honestly i dont think theres a month that goes by without getting a problem,anyway lets hope you get yours sorted without to much stress and exspence

 

firstly simtek doesnt have error codes, the software allows you to see raw values and you need to know what you are looking at rather than like the oe ecu that says what the issue is (not thats its always right).

Higher idle speed - its on a map based ecu with a fixed stepper motor openning for idle so if it draws in air the idle speed will increase..

Or the ecu is not controlling the idle stepper motor - burnt out driver etc..

remove the idle stepper motor - plug it in electrically and turn the ignition on and watch the plunger - does it move? if not is it jammed? if not then it could be the ecu driver - send it to simtek and problem fixed.. or the stepper could be jammed or could have been to have damaged the driver.

If stepper motor is fine then you have a leak possibly..

do you have a boost gauge? is it drawing a vacuum still?

The boost has dropped - you have a car with an issue and you are driving it on boost? not wise tbh, it might be a leak, it might be the stepper motor jammed open slightly so it is not shut on boost.

Simon

 

Thank you Simon, I'll try that. I've not been driving it while its like this, just to diagnose the problem thats all and now leaving it off road til I solve the problem.

So remove the ICV (and block off the hole where it goes?). Leave it plugged in, then start the car and see if the plunger moves...

I will try that 2nite or 2moro when I get home from work

 

No need to block hole or run engine.

It should move when ignition of turned on.

Simon

 

What I've now done as a temporary solution is disconnect the ICV plug and thru trial and error, I've manually adjusted the plunger til the rev's sit at 900rpm.

I reckon it could well be an ecu driver fault (thanks for informing about that possibility Simon) so I'm guessing it would be wise to send the ecu to Simtek and let them have a look at it?

 

Yes

What I think happens is the stepper jams and burns out the driver.

Give the stepper a good clean and spray with wd40 when ecu comes back.

Will pm you simtek address

Simon

 

Let me know when its sorted Alex. I'm well over due a rip in her!

 

Great stuff, thanks Simon

Lee - you know my car will never be sorted, there's always gonna be sumin wrong with it, lol... but once I get this problem sorted I'll take you out in it (and see what else I can break)

 

 

When checking the spark from the coil pack to identify the faulty electrode, a spark from the coil pack jumped to the ICV and fried the chip in the ECU (which is also the same chip that works the CEL - thats dimly lit).

Problem diagnosed and Simtek soon to be posted off to be fixed

 

Also my drop of 0.7bar boost was a loose wire on the boost solenoid. Its now fixed and she pulls like never b4!!!

 

ecu great news that your getting sorted m8