Motor Control System Failure - Check your Battery

[realslimshady]

as far as i'm aware there is no way of attaching a gauge to measure the boost pressure-put me right if you know different, but do know for sure that overboost pressure fires up an mcsf warning, so not worried about blowing it up in that respect.
will talk to turbo man again to clarify adjustments, then have a fine tune to optimise performance-using seat of pants as measuring tool!

[mixy]

FIXED IT / FIXED IT / FIXED IT / FIXED IT / FIXED IT / FIXED IT / FIXED IT.

Yes... Mine is sorted. No more bleep bleep bleep, just blast blast blast.. I have got my car back!

I took my car to my local tech and he diagnosed it as having a misfire on cylinder 4. I worked out that the cheapest and most common part to fail is a coil pack (all makes of car have this problem - VW/Audi is the worst). After trawling the net for a used part I thought s@d it, just by new, I mean how much can they cost? £56 Inc vat from Mangoletsi Alfa. I even fitted it in the car park.

Well I hope this is a ray of light for some of you.

I am just waiting for the next little gremlin to appear!

Thanks for all your help on this topic.

[topalfauser]

Thanks a lot guys, especially Ian. This Motor Control Failure has bugged me for over a year now, well since about 2months after I bought the car.

I have spent about £150 at an Alfa franchise soldering the joints. I've made about 3 further trips. Now they suggest changing the Throttle Body next time. It is now happening again and it's annoying and very dangerous when it suddenly comes on. My car does sit idle a lot and perhaps the battery is teh cause although it's a sealed unit and the light is green but I'll change it anyway.

I'll let you guys know if the battery fix works for me.

Many thanks.

[martynwestone]

Interesting read everyone, I just got the message on my comp this afternoon as I was reversing up a steep hill into a very tight parking space, hopefully it will go off when I drive off tomorrow, ( fingers crossed).

[topalfauser]

Update on my problems.
Remember last week I was going to change my Battery. As I pulled out of the drive onto the road and heading off, I decided to stop and have another look.
I checked the battery which was showing a green light meaning it is still very good.
I was touching everything, sitting things properly ans assuredly. I opened the cover to the bank of Solenoid switches just in front of the battery. I pushed everything in properly and it seemed one was loosely connected. I restarted and no light or message came up.

The car drove like a dream for the next 2 days driving 120mile round trip each day.

The following Thursday I drove to work and on my way back, I filled up with petrol - Shell Unleaded. As I pulled out of the Garage, Light came on with message on computer and Limp Mode.

I ignored it and carried on for about 10miles until I came to a stop at traffice lights. I restarted engine. Light stayed on but Limp mode was gone.

When I was close to home, the limp mode was cutting in and out and once it almost cut out power totally. I had to pull over and restart which then took me home.

I think this may now be related to fuel type/fuel mixture...

Any ideas anyone?

[martynwestone]

Yes I have this too, I am booked in today at the dealer, I had the AA out to look at it and it was the air flow metre, luckily i'm still under warranty.

[topalfauser]

My friendly warning came on again on Tuesday on my way to work. I tried restarting several times with no avail.
I took it for a spin at lunch time and again, it was still in 'limp mode'. Lastly, I took out the fuel pump solenoid and resat it.
I started the engine and noticed it had come out of the limp mode although the light was still on.
The light stayed on until I got home that evening. I had to go out later that evening and when I started the engine, the warning went out.
It is still out now.
This sounds like the fuel/pump fault. Remember that my Alfa garage told me they would have to change the throttle body!!! This symptoms don't sound like throttle body to me.

[topalfauser]

martynwestone,

How did the AA determine the cause of your problems? What is with a diagnostic machine?
Has the air flow meter been replaced?
Is the problem fixed?
How much did it cost?

Many thanks.

[topalfauser]

Just a bit of update.
I took the car to work yesterday and the fuel was low. By the time I got to work the Limited Range warning came on. And soon after, the Motor Control Failure light came on, accompanied by Limp mode.

On my way home, I stopped for petrol and I thought I'll use Shell super unleaded (something like that). I only put £5 worth so not a great quantity. As soon as I pulled out of the garage, it started to hunt - not running smoothly. It is still doing that today.

I am at a loss and thinking of turning my back on Alfa's for good after 12 years.

Either the computer system is rubbish on these cars or the error reporting is useless. How could it be so difficult to diagnose a problem.

[martynwestone]

Originally Posted by topalfauser

martynwestone,

How did the AA determine the cause of your problems? What is with a diagnostic machine?
Has the air flow meter been replaced?
Is the problem fixed?
How much did it cost?

Many thanks.

Hi
I called the AA out , they simply plugged in lap top and said that was what the fault was, so he disconnected it and set it to a level that was comfortable. I then took my car which is under warranty to SIDWELL STREET MOTORS IN EXETER, who had the car for less than an hour, they reconnected the air flow metre and cleared the message off my srceen, all for the handsome price of £44.70p, which amazed me as it was under warranty, but they set my mind at ease when they said we have to charge you because there is no fault with the car lol. they suspect it was the air flow metre the aa said it was the air flow metre, but the message hasn't appeared since, strange but true. Hope this helps.

[martynwestone]

Originally Posted by topalfauser

Just a bit of update.
I took the car to work yesterday and the fuel was low. By the time I got to work the Limited Range warning came on. And soon after, the Motor Control Failure light came on, accompanied by Limp mode.

On my way home, I stopped for petrol and I thought I'll use Shell super unleaded (something like that). I only put £5 worth so not a great quantity. As soon as I pulled out of the garage, it started to hunt - not running smoothly. It is still doing that today.

I am at a loss and thinking of turning my back on Alfa's for good after 12 years.

Either the computer system is rubbish on these cars or the error reporting is useless. How could it be so difficult to diagnose a problem.

Hi Again

I think it's just the luck of the draw with cars, I worried after I bought my Alfa everyone I knew was calling me an idiot as it would never be out of a garage and would cost a fortune.
I am a great believer in the old luck of the draw, there is good and bad in everything, some are constant problems, some are just minor problems, otheres only see the garage when its service and mot time, I hope mine turns out to be the latter and wish you luck with yours

[alfamadman]

Hi all I have a 2.4JTD (2001) my 6th Alfa!! Had it since January, it has full service history 113K but on a couple of previous occassions the engine control system light has come on for a few seconds while accelerating around 3000 rpm and a loss of power. It has got a bit worse since I jet washed the car Anyone any ideas?

The battery seems fine I've checked its out put and charging on a meter. Anyone know what the factory fit make was?

Cheers........

[jizzbee]

ian
i had that come up on my 147 ..control management failure..then it went out again . was also loseing water.temp use to shoot up then back down again. but could not see the leaking water on floor...took it to alfa ...and turned out out to be a blown head ......very expensive...

[Joski]

Originally Posted by alfamadman

Hi all I have a 2.4JTD (2001) my 6th Alfa!! Had it since January, it has full service history 113K but on a couple of previous occassions the engine control system light has come on for a few seconds while accelerating around 3000 rpm and a loss of power. It has got a bit worse since I jet washed the car Anyone any ideas?

The battery seems fine I've checked its out put and charging on a meter. Anyone know what the factory fit make was?

Cheers........

Same problem with mine. I change the battery but I'm still getting the MC error when it hits 3000 rpm. Gonna replace my MAF and see what happens, if that doesn't work it might end up being the EGR valves.

[m3ckon]

Hi guys,

I got my battery changed as per suggestion and the Motor Control System Failure fault has not gone away. I was wondering if the ECU would need resseting though? Should I get this done or can I just leave the battery disconnected for a few hours?

M3ckon

[topalfauser]

m3ckon,

Have you done diagnotics check on your car? It's worth plugging it in first and checking out the reported area of fault. Otherwise, there is an endless list of things (expensive things) to change.

Richard.

[morty1961]

Ive got this on my 20v JTD. Its been down on power for about a month now below 2500 rpm...used to pull from about 1750 rpm before!

Yesterday when accelerating onto the M6 up hill I got the dreaded MCSF and the power was cut....doing 70 in 4th and flooring it did absolutly nothing! Got home and switched off. Went out later and got the beep and message! It happens every time I start up now. Power has returned to pre limp home mode but theres defo something sadly wrong

It could be
1.Turbo or boost control sensor
2.EGR system
3.Throttle potentiometer or body
4.MAF ?????
5.Loose hoses (dont think its this one as ive checked !!!!)
6. I think the battery is good

It was out of warranty on the 16th Oct but I logged the power loss fault prior to this date and its in next week for a 48k service and a few warranty issues anyway so they can try to sort it then ??????

Lee

[mjo43]

Another new member with motor control system failures!!wonderful car to drive (147 2.litre lusso) I kept away from main dealers and went to a specialist tuning firm in Wirral ( Dyno Demon), who downloaded codes and told me the problem was a spark plug misfiring intermitatently on no 4.
Plugs were replaced at 40000 miles, not the alfa 60000, and the car is running sweetly again.I shall keep my fingers crossed for a while before claiming total solution, but the firm was very impressive and confident.
They advised me that NO plugs will last 60000 miles, and should be replaced much sooner.

[mjo43]

Originally Posted by Joski

Same problem with mine. I change the battery but I'm still getting the MC error when it hits 3000 rpm. Gonna replace my MAF and see what happens, if that doesn't work it might end up being the EGR valves.

see me post below...worth doing diagnostics by a specialist!!1

[realslimshady]

Originally Posted by morty1961

Ive got this on my 20v JTD. Its been down on power for about a month now below 2500 rpm...used to pull from about 1750 rpm before!

Yesterday when accelerating onto the M6 up hill I got the dreaded MCSF and the power was cut....doing 70 in 4th and flooring it did absolutly nothing! Got home and switched off. Went out later and got the beep and message! It happens every time I start up now. Power has returned to pre limp home mode but theres defo something sadly wrong

It could be
1.Turbo or boost control sensor
2.EGR system
3.Throttle potentiometer or body
4.MAF ?????
5.Loose hoses (dont think its this one as ive checked !!!!)
6. I think the battery is good

It was out of warranty on the 16th Oct but I logged the power loss fault prior to this date and its in next week for a 48k service and a few warranty issues anyway so they can try to sort it then ??????

Lee

that's exactly what mine was doing-turbo adjustment fixed it.
how many miles has it done?

[morty1961]

48,000 miles...goes in tonight for a service and the warranty work...and try to sort the MCS failure/power loss problems!

[mjo43]

update on mcsf! Just done 2 long trips and no sign of the dreaded warning...lokks like the spark plugs cured the problem...fingers crossed.

[RickHough]

I have a 1999 2.0 16v TS, bought cheap earlier this year and still grinning at the way it revs.

Last week I started to get Code and Injection System fault lights appearing, plus the car wouldn't start (intermittent). By the weekend the intermittent had become permanent.

Having read these hallowed forums I made a list of parts that may require checking/replacing, then started my investigations with the battery.

Although the battery seemed fine and was cranking the car no problem, it was showing 11v on my battery tester (5 year old Bosch so it's done well).

I swapped it out for a new one and the car started - but for the first hour or so I continued to get intermittent problems with Code and Injection System fault lights appearing. After a while the system settled down and now we are back to normal.

Like the thread says - Check Your Battery. Thanks for saving me a bundle of Greenbacks!

[mjo43]

Originally Posted by mjo43

update on mcsf! Just done 2 long trips and no sign of the dreaded warning...lokks like the spark plugs cured the problem...fingers crossed.

further update....the plugs must have been the solution....no further problems. Car going beautifully.....just dont keep the plugs too long.

[radioactive]

Never but an Alfa or any car from Arnold , i remember i bought a Fiat Marea Estate and within 2 minutes of driving it away i was driving it back because the boot wouldnt lock shut , took them 2 hours spraying WD40 on every electrical part in the Car before it was fixed , the mechanics didnt have clue ! i was informed that the car had received a 40 point check before i picked it up and a valet, none of this was done infact there was a can of coke in the glove compartment when i opened it on the way home(empty i may add) i can see why Alfa dumped the Arnold Dealership in Edinburgh and gave it to Western.