147 'Motor Control System Failure'

Good morning.

I've got a 2001 Alfa 147 1.6 TS and currently suffering from the dreaded 'motor control system failure'. I've read a few posts on here about the problem possible being linked to a flat battery. However, my case is slightly different to all other cases i've seen on this site because my car doesn't even start 80% of the time. Some days it starts, some days it doesn't...when it does start it flashes up the 'motor control system failure' message.

My car always turns over (but doesn't start), and the radio, wipers, lights all work fine so does this rule out a problem with the battery or is it still possible that a battery change will fix my problem?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks

I think you'll find the prime suspect will turn out to be the crankshaft sensor. Its relatively inexpensive but a right b&^*d to reach.
:xmas:

Hi there and welcome to AO. I would agree to sloucher. Have a diagnostic done to find out exactly what is the cause......

Thank you for your quick replies. I've got someone coming round to look at it today so fingers crossed. I'll keep you all informed as it seems to be a fairly common problem.

Do you have to go to an alfa delaer to have a diagnostic test or can any old garage do it?

a 2001 petrol model will use the alfa specific protocol, but a good code reader will still be able to read fault codes.

ballymoney id the exact same problem, turned out it was the crank shaft sensor. not too expensive to replace fingers crossed!!

sounds like the crankshaft alright - and yeah its really not a big wad of cash to fix just a pain in the knuckles!

i just had mine in with the same problem, it was the crankshaft sensor, having gone to an alfa dealer who replaced battery and cleaned the maf! i went to a local fiat dealer and he had it running sweetly in an 1hr and a half!

I have exact same prob had it diagnosed ystdy afternoon me friend who got it on his computer said its just like a coil when it heats up it can go short circut therefore no start.Also note that it will probaly come up on the computer as RPM sensor. Hope I helped someone with this bit of info.Also note its not just alfas that give the odd problem yer man was tellin me modern alfas arent the worst especially ones fitted with Bosch electrics

Ahh I remember old RPM sensor problem, I had it on my previous 147. A real bugger when you went to fill up on Petrol, only to find the car won't start and you have to sit there and wait for it to cool down for 30mins or so.

Hello,

1st post here....have read lots from others re this problem, but my own seems slightly different. ?

I have an 147 JTD 16V and the Motor Control system Failure light arrived on Sunday.

Have a rasping or air escaping type noise once revs reach the 1500rpm and above band...obviously once the turbo kicks in....car is booked in for the end of the week to Alfa dealer, but if anyone has any experience of this, its better going in forearmed so to speak...

Thinking the worst here, but little has chaged, performance is slightly down, but have been driving softer since the light came on....

thanks

Do you not have a specialist local to you, rather than a dealer? Or is the car under warranty?

I live 35 miles from nearest dealer or specialist, so it horses for courses on the distance on that....

Regarding the warranty its a case of maybe, my 3 year warranty from date of ownership runs out on the 29th of this month, but it is at the dealer discretion so its worth it for the diagnosis at least, maybe not the repair, but would like some help on the thoughts of others in what the "problem" might be........

Thank God I found this forum. I've been going nuts with the Motor Control Sysytem coming on, car grinding to a halt without warning, running out of power when I go over 3,000 revs, not starting if I've done a trip of over 30 minutes, having to wait 20 minutes until she cools down to start her again, starting the engine repeatedly until the little engine light goes off etc etc. I've tried V-Power, Redex everything. The dealership thought it was a fuel supply problem, cleaned out the tank but to no avail.
....and all it is is the rpm sensor.
Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 Lusso - I still love her - even after all this pain.

Originally Posted by duncanh007

....and all it is is the rpm sensor.

careful, in the uk "rpm sensor" means cam sensor. your problem is the crank sensor (aka tdc sensor). replace the crank sensor and your starting issue should be solved.

however your powerloss issue is most likely caused by your MAF. clean it and it should come alive above 3500rpm.

Thank you Jug - will take print out of your reply to the garage this evening.
D

Took my 147 1.6 to my local garage last night so that he could assess how difficult it is going to be to replace the tdc sensor.
He found it ok but says the bolt he has to undo is badly rusted and he's afraid that it may break.
Also he says he has 2 options to access the bolt -
1. by taking off the gear box mounting or
2. by taking off the exhaust.
He's never done anything like this before. Can anybody out there offer advice please ?