cloverleaf idling problem

[elteln01]

hi all,new to site. i have just picked up my 99 cloverleaf which im very happy with ive all ways had a soft spot for alfas.but she does come with a couple of issues,firstly when i pull up at the lights the revs are eratic it goes from 500rpm to 2000 rpm and does this 3 to 4 times before settling to a steady tickover.my first thoughts are lambda sensor or airflow meter ?.then secondly the injector light is up un the dash,now i prevoiusly owned a fiat coupe turbo with the same problem but it never affected the car at all so it didnt bother me that much as it was a common fault on the fiats but i am a stickler and i do like things working right.any info would be great

great site


tel

[symon]

I had the same idling issue on a 146 Ti, and it was the MAF.

Make sure you get a genuine Bosch one though as the copy ones usuallly don't work well.

[GialloEvo94]

As Simon said, most likely suspect is the MAF (you generally get the same idle bouncing behaviour with the MAF unplugged). You have a phase 2 (CF2 engine) so if you get a new MAF then get a Vauxhall one (Bosch part number 0281002180) as they're cheaper than the Alfa one (Bosch part number 0280218019). It's got an identical internal sensor (Bosch part number F00C2G2030) to the Alfa one and people who have recently fitted the vauxhall one report that the housing tube is also a direct fit so it means no messing around swapping the internal sensor into your exising tube. I've seen new Vauxhall ones advertised for around £65. Also try your local motor factors or Andrew Page for cheap prices. As already mentioned, only get a genuine Bosch one with the "Bosch" logo moulded into the side and don't be tempted by an aftermarket (Chinese copy) one.

If a new MAF sensor doesn't fix the problem then you will need a new Idle Stepper Motor which is the black plastic sensor mounted to the side of the throttle body that controls the actual idle speed. These are generally pretty expensive though (well over £100) and you would need to have it calibrated to your engine ECU once fitted.

[Ralf S.]

Yoinks! Something to look forward to on my old bus..


Ralf S.

[Zender2Zender]

Originally Posted by GialloEvo94

As Simon said, most likely suspect is the MAF (you generally get the same idle bouncing behaviour with the MAF unplugged). You have a phase 2 (CF2 engine) so if you get a new MAF then get a Vauxhall one (Bosch part number 0281002180) as they're cheaper than the Alfa one (Bosch part number 0280218019). It's got an identical internal sensor (Bosch part number F00C2G2030) to the Alfa one and people who have recently fitted the vauxhall one report that the housing tube is also a direct fit so it means no messing around swapping the internal sensor into your exising tube. I've seen new Vauxhall ones advertised for around £65. Also try your local motor factors or Andrew Page for cheap prices. As already mentioned, only get a genuine Bosch one with the "Bosch" logo moulded into the side and don't be tempted by an aftermarket (Chinese copy) one.

If a new MAF sensor doesn't fix the problem then you will need a new Idle Stepper Motor which is the black plastic sensor mounted to the side of the throttle body that controls the actual idle speed. These are generally pretty expensive though (well over £100) and you would need to have it calibrated to your engine ECU once fitted.

the idle stepper motor (is this the idle control valve?) and why does it have to be calibrated to the ECU (as i have replaced lambda, maf, idle actuator/control valve (the many names for it) and cleaned the throttle body etc. etc.) and it now doesnt bounce around or cut out anymore but just sometime driving its like you have someone just holding onto the car a little to stop it going quite as it should, it could be i am being very picky, my problem is i am a bit suse by the cars engien as i bought it with a rebuilt new engine with new belts etc and bout 3 months in pop belt went, i believe the engine to be a cf2 from a 147 and mine is a 99 model pre-face lift but would contain the cf2 engine, i have rebuilt and done metal conversion tot the engine to go back to alli engine. any info would be interesting to look into cause i am coming to a bit of a wall as i think everything under that bonnet is now new. and that is no exageration. and dont get me wrong the drive of it 99/100 is lovely and spot on but like i say maybe being picky just sometimes feels like weight is holding the car byu the spoiler and saying no not today you aint gonna get away, but i remember my first 145 took out the restrictor and that thing flew its was stupid fast for standard and occasionally that just didnt wanna go somedays.

i have always thought these cars are like us somedays you wake up and just cant get yourself going and then other days you fly like a plane.

[gazza82]

To recalibrate the idle stepper/throttle motor, you will need it hooked up to diagnostic program (DIY with AlfaDiag or FiatEcuScan).

But you can also try a simple throttle reset first. Turn the ignition on and leave it for 90 secs (if you listen under the bonnet you will hear that throttle motor "twitching". Don't touch the throttle pedal or start the engine. Now turn off the ignition for another 90 secs. Now start the engine WITHOUT the throttle and leave it to idle for a few minutes. It might start to reduce the idle speed.

But if it makes no difference it's because the ECU and throttle are out of sync and now you will have to reset it.

[elteln01]

thanks for the info guys,why cant the sensor be cleaned ? and the vauxhall part youve mentioned,is that price for the sensor or the complete housing ?

[stevepx]

from what i understand it's the housing which is the same as the one on your beast!!