Engine not running smoothly / (irregular operation)
- Make
- Alfa Romeo
- Model
- 147 Factory Service Manual
- Year
- 2000–2004
- Section
- Engine › Engine not running smoothly / (irregular operation)
ENGINE NOT RUNNING SMOOTHLY / (IRREGULAR OPERATION)
During driving, the engine misses and loses performance
| Results of the tests | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminarily check:
| Continue to Step 1 | Filter element dirty, damaged or incorrectly fitted | Replace or refit filter element correctly Op. 1048A14 | |
| Spark plugs dirty or damaged | Replace the spark plugs Op. 5510D10 | |||
| Spark plug leads damaged | Replace the spark plug leads | |||
| 1 | CHECKING WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check:
| Continue to Step 2 | 'Supply system' error detected | See table Z50 MIXTURE STRENGTH ERROR | |
| 'Misfire' error detected | See table Z56 UPSTREAM LAMBDA SENSOR SIGNAL ERROR | |||
| Another error dectected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Inconsistent parameter | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Check:
| Continue to Step 3 | 'Supply system' error detected | See table Z50 MIXTURE STRENGTH ERROR | |
| 'Misfire' error detected | See table Z56 UPSTREAM LAMBDA SENSOR SIGNAL ERROR | |||
| Another error dectected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Inconsistent parameter | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 3 | CHECK ON FUEL PRESSURE | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check, if necessary on the road (to reproduce the conditions in which the fault arises), the fuel supply pressure Op. 0510C10 | Continue to Step 4 | Pressure not correct: obstructions in fuel delivery pipe | Remove the obstructions in the fuel pipe, and if necessary replace it Op. 1040A30 | |
| Pressure not correct: tank insufficiently ventilated | Restsore the tank ventilation | |||
| Pressure not correct: fuel pump electrical circuit broken | Repair fuel pump electrical circuit See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |||
| Pressure incorrect: fuel pump damaged | Replace fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70 | |||
| 4 | CHECK AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Road test the vehicle and check whether the fault is affected by whether or not the air conditioner is switched on | Continue to Step 5 | Fault present only with the air conditioner on | See table L10 CLIMATE CONTROL NOT COOLING | |
| 5 | CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | Fault persists: control unit defective | Replace control unit Op. 1056B82 Search for the fault starting from another symptom' | ||
During driving, the engine misses and loses performance
| Results of the tests | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check, in order:
| Continue to Step 1 | Fault in air intake circuit | Repair the air intake circuit | |
| Air filter blocked | Replace the filter element | |||
| Leak from diesel pipes | Eliminate the leaks | |||
| Presence of water, petrol, parffin or dirt detected. | Clean the tank and pipes and replace the filter element | |||
| Loose battery earth terminal | Restore the correct fixing of the earth cable | |||
| 1 | CHECKING WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket Check:
| Continue to Step 2 | An error is detected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| Unreliable parameters | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Check:
| Continue to Step 3 | Error detected in control units | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| unreliable parameters | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Lack of dialogue with the control unit | Restore the connection between the engine management control unit and the diagnostic connector. | |||
| 3 | CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | Fault persists: control unit defective | Replace control unit Op. 1060G80 Search for the fault starting from another symptom' | ||
During driving, the engine misses and loses performance
| Results of the tests | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check, in order:
| Continue to Step 1 | Fault in air intake circuit | Repair the air intake circuit | |
| Air filter blocked | Replace the filter element | |||
| Leak from diesel pipes | Eliminate the leaks | |||
| Presence of water, petrol, parffin or dirt detected. | Clean the tank and pipes and replace the filter element | |||
| Loose battery earth terminal | Restore the correct fixing of the earth cable | |||
| Obstruction in the exhaust system | Replace the damaged system component | |||
| 1 | CHECKING WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket Check:
| Continue to Step 2 | An error is detected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| Unreliable parameters | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Check:
| Continue to Step 3 | Error detected in control units | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| Unreliable parameters | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Lack of dialogue with the control unit | Restore the connection between the engine management control unit and the diagnostic connector. | |||
| 3 | CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | Fault persists: control unit defective | Replace control unit Op. 1060G80 Search for the fault starting from another symptom' | |
During driving, the engine misses and loses performance
| Results of the tests | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminarily check:
| Continue to Step 1 | Earth fastening not correct | Restore correct fixing | |
| Air intake circuit fault | Restore the correct operation of the intake circuit | |||
| Spark plugs not the type recommended by the manufacturer | Replace the spark plugs | |||
| Impurities in the fuel | Clean the fuel tank | |||
| Earths faulty | Restore correct fixing | |||
| 1 | CHECKING WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check:
| Continue to Step 2 | Error detected | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| Inconsistent parameter | Anaylze the factors that have caused this inconsistency | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Check:
| Continue to Step 3 | Error detected | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |
| Inconsistent parameter | Anaylze the factors that have caused this inconsistency | |||
| 3 | LOW PRESSURE CIRCUIT CHECK | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the fuel pressure is correct | Continue to Step 4 | Incorrect pressure: obstructions in the fuel delivery pipe | Remove the obstructions in the fuel pipe, and if necessary replace it | |
| Pressure not correct: tank insufficiently ventilated | Restsore the tank ventilation | |||
| Pressure not correct: petrol pump damaged or not correctly supplied | Replace fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70 | |||
| 4 | RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR CHECK | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the operation of the rail sensor | Continue to Step 5 | Pressure sensor faulty | Replace sensor. | |
| 5 | PRESSURE REGULATOR CHECK | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the voltage regulator is working | Continue to Step 6 | Pressure regulator faulty | Replace the pressure regulator | |
| 6 | HIGH PRESSURE PUMP CHECK | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the operation of the high pressure pump | Continue to Step 7 | High pressure pump faulty | Replace high pressure pump | |
| 7 | CHECK ON INJECTORS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the continuity/insulation of the injector wiring; in particular, make sure that the injector operating signal is present See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | Continue to Step 8 | No signal, wiring broken | Renew the wiring See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |
| No signal, wiring not broken | Replace engine management control unit | |||
| 8 | IGNITION OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the continuity/insulation of the supply circuit and the coil operation; in particular, make sure that the coil operating signal is present See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | Continue to Step 9 | No supply/earth | Renew the wiring See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |
| No operating signal | Check the wiring between the coils and the ECU and, if necessary, replace the control unit See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |||
| 9 | PHASE TRANSFORMER CHECK IN ACTIVE DIAGNOSIS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the operation of the phase transformer in active diagnosis | Continue to Step 10 | Not working | Using a voltmeter (graphic is best) check the transformer operating signal and, if necessary, replace the transformer See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |
| 10 | MODULAR MANIFOLD CHECK IN ACTIVE DIAGNOSIS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check the operation of the modular manifold in active diagnosis | Continue to Step 11 | Not working | Using a voltmeter (graphic is best) check the modular manifold operating signal and, if necessary, replace the modular manifold solenoid valve See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT | |
| 11 | CHECK ON TIMING | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the timing is correct | Continue to Step 12 | Timing not correct | Ensure that the timing is correct | |
| 12 | CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | |||
During driving, the engine misses and loses performance
| Results of the tests | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminarily check:
| Continue to Step 1 | Filter element dirty, damaged or incorrectly fitted | Replace or refit filter element correctly Op. 1048A14 | |
| Earth fastening not correct | Renew the wiring | |||
| 1 | CHECKING WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check:
| Continue to Step 2 | 'Supply system' error detected | Continue as instructed in the Table See table Z50 MIXTURE STRENGTH ERROR | |
| 'Upstream lambda sensor' error detected | Continue as instructed in the Table See table Z56 UPSTREAM LAMBDA SENSOR SIGNAL ERROR | |||
| Another error dectected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Inconsistent parameter | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Check:
| Continue to Step 3 | 'Supply system' error detected | Continue as instructed in the Table See table Z50 MIXTURE STRENGTH ERROR | |
| 'Upstream lambda sensor' error detected | Continue as instructed in the Table See table Z56 UPSTREAM LAMBDA SENSOR SIGNAL ERROR | |||
| Sudden occurrence of another error in the control unit detected | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| Inconsistent parameter | Continue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 3 | CHECK ON FUEL PRESSURE | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Check, if necessary on the road (to reproduce the conditions in which the fault arises), the fuel supply pressure Op. 0510C10 | Continue to Step 4 | Pressure not correct: obstructions in fuel delivery pipe | Remove the obstructions in the fuel pipe, and if necessary replace it | |
| Pressure incorrect: fuel pump damaged | Replace fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70 | |||
| 4 | CHECK AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Road test the vehicle and check whether the fault is affected by whether or not the air conditioner is switched on | Continue to Step 5 | Fault present only with the air conditioner on | Continue as instructed in the Table See table L10 CLIMATE CONTROL NOT COOLING | |
| 5 | CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION | All OK | Problems met | Operation |
| Road test the vehicle and check whether the fault is affected by whether or not the air conditioner is switched on | End of diagnosis | Fault persists: control unit faulty | Replace control unit Op. 1056B82 | |
Parts & tools for this job For 2000 Alfa Romeo 147
- PARTEngine gasket setSearch: Alfa Romeo 147 2000 engine gasket set
- TOOLTorque wrenchSearch: 3/8 inch torque wrench
- TOOLFeeler gauge setSearch: feeler gauge set
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