Please can someone advise me as to what the problem may be on my Alfa 146 (N Reg - 1.6 boxer). It has an intermittent problem when the engine revs itself (up and down between 900-1500rpm) when idling. It can happen at any time and is usually rectified by turning off the engine for a few minutes and restarting. I have had the idle control valve changed and the car was fine for a few weeks, then went back to its old ways.
I took it to an Alfa dealer for a service and they had the car for 10 days, it did not play up once and nothing showed up on the computer. The day after I collected it, it started playing up again!
Sometimes, on starting from cold, it also revs very high (2-3000) and the only way to bring this down is to turn it off and restart.
No garage seems to have come across this before and because everything is electronic, unless a problems shows on the computer, they seem reluctant to search for the problem. If I could at least get some idea of what\'s wrong, I can ask the mechanic to search for it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sharron
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If there is nothing showing on the computer then it could be a physical problem eg hole in the air intake somewhere. Faulty sensors don\'t have to bring on warning lights or even show on the computer. If they didn\'t check all the readings on all the sensors and check them against known values for similar engines under similar conditions then they didn\'t check out your car throughly enough.
Cold starting problems can also point to the water temp sensor or the air temp sensor feeding the engine strange readings. A faulty throttle position sensor or air mass meter can also make the engine rev up and down of its own accord. The garage you took it to don\'t sound clued up so I would take it to an independent alfa specialist as they tend to be more able to think outside the \'hook it on the computer\' ways of main dealers.
teabelly
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Thanks very much for your suggestions - I will go back to the garage and ask them to check out the areas you mentioned and fingers crossed - they will find the problem!
Cheers
Sharron
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If that doesnt solve it might I suggest you try www.alfaowner.com they have forums on all Alfa models and is very good. Post your question on there see if you get any joy.
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Great - thanks - I will definitely have a look at this site and see if they have any other suggestions.
Cheers
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You have more luck on www.alfa146.com/forum/
I know this issue is documented there a few times.
K
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I had the same problem on my 145 1.6 Boxer and I fixed it by adjusting the tension of the accelerator cable.
It was waaaaay too tight and since I've loosened it, to just tense, it's fine.
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i had the same prob on my 145 cloverleaf 1996 - the garage adjusted the acelerator pedal wire and it solved it int he short term until i sold it. apparently the prob was more indepth but the garage was not 100% what it was so a big bill was likely. i quickly sold it on
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Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and experiences. I am keeping all of this information to show my mechanic and hopefully we will get to the bottom of it!
Cheers
Sharron
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Sharron,
I have the exact same problem on my 145 cloverleaf n reg. I am very interested to hear the outcome of your repair attempts.
Thanks
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