stumped by a problem...

[ecohen2]

So this weekend is going to be the first weekend for my Scorpion to be back on the road. In fact I am taking it on a long journey tomorrow, but I have a problem...

Occasionally, the engine and electronics all cut out for about a second and then come back on. The tach drops to zero although the engine is still spinning and the generator light will come on. Then without doing anything everything is fine again. Its almost like someone turns off the key for a second.

It happens at anytime and it does not matter if I am at a light, going 60 mph, turning or anything. Could it just be water in the electronics somewhere?

Any thoughts?


Ed

[davidb]

Moronic reply but a positive or negative wire must be loose.
Generator, ignition coil? Good luck w/the hunt. PS: I still need
want that rear valance. Was never able to reply via D.J.'s
private message system. Thanks!

[ecohen2]

Moronic reply but a positive or negative wire must be loose.
Generator, ignition coil? Good luck w/the hunt. PS: I still need
want that rear valance. Was never able to reply via D.J.'s
private message system. Thanks!


Wouldn't that just make the engine appear to stall not all of the electronics?

[DJ]

I always apply the first two Italian car rules whenever electrics are involved.

Rule #1 - It's a ground.
Rule #2 - It's a ground.

[DJ]

Was never able to reply via D.J.'s
private message system. Thanks!

What specific problem are you having with the PM system? It works fine normally and I've never had any complaints about it.

[Otto-valvole-per-tutte]

[small thread high jack]

Ed, the Z4 M Coupe, nice car in everyday live? Drove the convertible for a day. Impressive engine. No problems?

Cheers, Pieter

[ecohen2]

[small thread high jack]

Ed, the Z4 M Coupe, nice car in everyday live? Drove the convertible for a day. Impressive engine. No problems?

Cheers, Pieter


Yeah, the Z4 M Coupe is my every day driver... The car is fantastic.. I had gone through a Porsche 996 and a CLK 320 and never really bonded with them. This car was special from the day I got it.

When I initially picked the car up, it had some issues, but all of them were due to my local dealer being a complete bonehead. They had limited runs of the M Coupe so you have to hunt around for one, but the convertible is pretty easy to find. You should pay 5-8k less than MSRP if you are buying one new..

Ed

[ecohen2]

As for the cutting out problem...

The car cut out twice more on my way to the drive yesterday. During the drive it never cut out but throughout the day had different issues. All but the wiper motor seem to have gone away by the end of the trip.

1. At about mile 40 I appeared to lose power and the engine was miss firing during initial acceleration. Problem solved by filling the tank with clean gas...

2. At about mile 70, I had a loud screetch noise at idle. I believe that is the alternator belt, which could be related to the weird electrical issue. The belt is tight, but who knows, its also pretty old..

3. Around mile 100, everything was fine..

Ed

[Will]

Ed- check your BATTERY connections.
IIRC with the stock wiring if you lose your battery connection you also lose power to the alternator field winding, everything dies completely. Everything.

Good luck- post back w/resolution.

-Will

[ecohen2]

In typical Italian fashion I got in my car this weekend and everything works fine, INCLUDING THE WIPERS!!

I just bought another motor, so now ill have a spare...



Ed

[DJ]

In typical Italian fashion I got in my car this weekend and everything works fine, INCLUDING THE WIPERS!!

I just bought another motor, so now ill have a spare... Ed

I still bet that it's a ground...

[Will]

The wiper could well be a ground (or park switch) but the other symptoms would require the SIMULTANEOUS failure of multiple, discrete grounding points. The dash gets ground through the screw on the corner of the fusebox IIRC, but that doesn't explain the engine stalling. The fuse on the block that controls the dash instruments is also tied to the 4P switch on the gearbox, but not the ignition. So I'll take your bet, but only if it's low-stakes DJ :)

My guess is the wiper park switch finally finished rotting off completely and the battery terminals or the alternator terminal are doing likewise. Try patting the car gently and saying "You are NOT a FIAT, you are NOT a FIAT!!!"" :)

Hey, it's all good!

[lanciatomcat]

If I started patting my car and saying 'You are not a Fiat' my wife would definitely have me put away in a 'funny farm'.