During a 100 mile journey yesterday the engine cut out on two separate occasions, each time the symptoms were as if I'd turned off the ignition i.e. the ignition controlled functions went off as well as the fuel cut-off, but both times everything restored within two or three seconds without any intervention on my part. Fortunately both times the problem caused awkwardness but was not life threatening; however as it has happened twice it is likely to be reoccurring.
The weather wasn't wet or hot and the only clue is that both times I was using the indicators, however on the second occasion the hazards worked, so I think the only significance is the higher current draw from the flasher unit.
I am comfortable around basic vehicle electrics but the momentary intermittence of this fault is going to be challenging, so I am hoping someone may have come across this before. A poster on a Fiat Ducato forum apparently had exactly the same problem a couple of years ago, he called out the RAC who couldn't help as the fault had disappeared but suggested it might be the ignition switch. Unfortunately there were no replies or a follow-up post on that forum, however I've got much more faith in the backroom!
I will check all the obvious things today; ignition switch connections, fusebox connections, earths, but my fear is that the problem may be associated with the factory immobiliser or the aftermarket alarm which is linked to this; these are a black art to me; are these likely to cause such a fault?
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One mans junk is another mans treasure
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I've (unashamedly) bumped this as it's now not the weekend and someone else might see it ;-)
I've not dared drive the van on the road but have done lots of tinkering in the yard; in about a total of one hours running time the ignition-controlled electrics (and hence the engine) cut out 4 times, with no particular pattern or warning. Each time, without any intervention on my part, power was restored within 3/4 seconds and the engine could be restarted normally.
For those not familiar with the model, it's a basic TD with an injection pump, so I'm convinced the problem is on the electrics. I've checked all obvious connections, I may change the ignition switch in desperation, but I don't think it is this. However I am now looking at the after market alarm ( Cobra 7777 ) with some suspicion as this is linked to the immobiliser.
So a specific alarm query, if I can determine which is the power supply to the alarm and disconnect this (after installing earplugs!) will this stop it working so I can check whether this is in fact the problem, or will I have to trace and disconnect all the wires?
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One mans junk is another mans treasure
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I know someone who had a motorhome based on the same engine. They took it to a Fiat CV specialist not the normal car dealer type when they had similar issues as the engine would stall and the restart when pulling away from lights in the end mechanics knowlege not a fiat fault reader nor a a Snap on reader that identified the fault. Rather than spend money changing parts to identify the fault a good dealer should have come across this in his years . Please take note they used a specialst (part of a car dealership) but not a normal car dealer therefore they had chaps who work on these everyday and they discussed it with the dealer before parting with any cash therefore he was already identifying the fault in his mind.
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An update for any future searches....
After some hours of fiddling under the dashboard and trial running the engine, the fault re-appeared as I started the engine to do a road test, mercifully it didn't disappear this time, almost as if the van had a heart after all and had decided to stop teasing me.
The problem was a failed spade connector in 4-way 'mother of all' connector block under the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. This particular wire fed the live supply from the battery to the ignition switch, hence the total failure of ignition-controlled supply.
....aggravatingly I had already noticed a slight discolouration on this block but didn't bother to inspect it because I couldn't pull it apart (and at that time was suspecting the fuse block and/or alarm), the reason it wouldn't split was because everything was glued together with nylon...grrr
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One mans junk is another mans treasure
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We have a 1988 Fiat Ducato campervan conversion and the engine on ours cuts out but generally only when its torrential rain. We pull over and wait til rain stops 20 mins or so and it just seems to start again. It must be a general fiat problem as I've heard of this happening with fiat punto as well.
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