vs v6 ute idling bad and coughs splutters ect when trying to rev

[favsute]

hey guys. ive got a vs v6 ute. its been running fine and today it all of a sudden started to run like an old tractor. very rough lumpy idle and when i try to excellerate it has a huge flat spot and either stalls or coughs and splutters. if i disconnect the maf sensor plug it idles good and will rev but takes some careful slow excelleration to get it to without it spluttering. when i reconnect the plug it goes rough again. do you guys think the maf is stuffed or maybe the computer. i jump started another vehicle with it recently and hope i didnt stuff the computer, there is no engine warning light on most of the time but occasionally itl pop up for a bit and then go off again, ive also noticed the fuel pump deosnt sound as loud as it usually deos and it is wet in the tank area due to the rain weve had in the past few days any ideas cheers wayne

[FstStig]

Sounds like you're DFI module and Coil Packs are on their last legs. Although in saying that you Could be blocked Injectors, low fuel pressure, MAF sensor stuffed, TPS and IAC Sensors may need cleaning, spark plugs may need replacing. I'm not far away from you so if you would like I could come and have a look?

[favsute]

sorry also meant to add that it seems to be sucking alot harder through the airbox than normal aswell. very much a louder sucking noise. checked for leaks but cant find any. cheers wayne

[FstStig]

Does sound like you have a Vacuum leak somewhere, throw some water over all you're Vacuum hoses and check for any bubbles.

[HSV5L]

coil packs my vs was doing that.

[greenacc]

If its a vacuum leak it would suck water in, not blow bubbles !!

[Gazalenko]

definatly give ya computer a good kick in the bin, id advise work through all the different suggestions and you might clear up this problem and future problems

[dinnzyvrv8]

check computer see what codes come up. on dash. plug is under the steering wheel there is a black plug and there is two pins in the middle on the top use a paper clip open it right up and bridge with those two pins you will get code 12 first three times then another code should pop up after that for another three times good luck

[VS_Pete_1]

Here is a link
Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)

[favsute]

ok so ive used the paperclip trick and i got a code 35. idle speed error. how do i fix it. cheers wayne

[FstStig]

Sounds like you need to replace you're IACV (Idle Air Control Valve/sensor) Or give it a clean like I mentioned above. They are normally held in by 2 hex screws on the back of the throttle body. You will need to remove you're engine cover to see it (Providing you have one on of course)

[favsute]

ok so i just replaced the iac with a brand new one and still not running and code still says 35. computer maybe?

[favsute]

ok also if it is the ecu are they all the same through the vs range or will i need one specific to my model . its a vs series 3 98 ute. just a povvo pack v6 auto no extras. how much should i pay for another one?cheers wayne

[FstStig]

no you're ecu should be fine, it will just need the codes clearing out of it. Taking the negative terminal off you're battery for about half an hour and it should be gone when you put it back on. Did you give you're throttle body a clean out before you put the new sensor in?

[favsute]

ok i disconnected the battery for an hour. code has reset but now car wont start still and engine light is just constantly flashing very fast. ????

[RX25SE]

Idle speed error code maybe coming up due to another fault, such as MAF, causing a low idle speed.


I'd be investigating a MAF fault first.

[James39]

ok i disconnected the battery for an hour. code has reset but now car wont start still and engine light is just constantly flashing very fast. ????

I hope you removed the paperclip.... I would change the MAF before the IAC, most times you only need to clean the IAC valve

[FstStig]

If you want to test to see if it is you're MAF I have another one here off my VT

[favsute]

ok now i borrowed a maf and another ecu and still the same problem. fuel pump is pumping fuel as i tryed it while i had filter off and i sprayed out fine.changed the plugs fuel filter was filthy so i changed it and still the same problem. error code is tellin me everything is ok. so now im thinkin maybe bad fuel ? i dunno im really at a loss.

[RX25SE]

If its runs, try unplugging the injectors one at a time to see if you can isolate the problem a little more.

[favsute]

ok so ive drained the fuel and there was some water in it but didnt fix the problem. just put new leads on it also and still stuffed. tryed taking the injectors of one by one but it just runs so rough anyway i cant tell if theres any change in it on each injector. have heard that maybe its the alternator not sending enough curent through to the computer. and that they are renound for it. i have just noticed that my starter motor cable is loose on the starter could it maybe be shorting out causing a electronic short through the computer? cant get to it right now to tighten it.

[favsute]

i also took the leads off one by one from the coil end and coil threw blue spark so coil packs should be ok yeah?

[favsute]

it just wont idle properly
or when i try to rev it its like it has a massive flat spot coughs back through the airbox and then dies .it really seems like the timing is out is there a way to change the timing on these models or is it simply just computer operated.

[RX25SE]

Coils sound fine. Ignition timing is DFI and PCM controlled.

I doubt it is alternator/low current related.

if you had water in the fuel, you may need to flush out the system. Disconnect the return line and flush it into a container, after the tank has been cleaned out.

[favsute]

yeah i drained the fuel right out and put sum new stuff in but still the same. what deos the dfi unit look like. it runs as if its on 4 or 5 cylinders constantly. but most of the time will only run for about 30 seconds. occasionally it will idle smooth but when i try to accelerate it just coughs and dies again and then runs like crap again. havent checked the compression yet hope i havent a dropped valve or something. tho i dont really rev it that hard as i only run to and from work in it. it deosnt get thrashed.