Engine not running smoothly / (losing power)
- Make
- Fiat
- Model
- Bravo Factory Service Manual
- Year
- 2007–2014
- Section
- Engine › Engine not running smoothly / (losing power)
ENGINE NOT RUNNING SMOOTHLY / (LOSING POWER)
Momentary lack of response when the accelerator pedal is pressed. Can happen at any speed. Usually it is more obvious when trying to get the vehicle to set off, for example after a stop.
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check the following, in order: - no leaks in fuel circuit; - condition of the air intake circuit; - no obstructions in the catalytic converter; - no water or impurities in the fuel Fuel filter very blocked | Move on to Step 1 | Fault in the air intake circuit | Renew the air intake circuit | |
| Obstruction in the catalytic converter | Replace the catalytic converter | |||
| Water in the fuel | Remove water from the fuel | |||
| Leaks in fuel circuit | Eliminate leaks | |||
| Fuel filter blocked | Replace the fuel filter | |||
| 1 | CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | Move on to Step 2 | Error detected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Implausible parameters | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Carry out a road test, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Make sure that the conditions in which the problem occurs are reproduced Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | End of diagnosis | The sudden onset of errors in the control unit is detected | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Parameters off the scale. | Move on to Step 3 | |||
| 3 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Using the Examiner, check that the signal reaches 100% when reading the parameters and goes to the end of travel position | Move on to Step 4 | Accelerator pedal travel incorrect | Restore the accelerator pedal travel | |
| Accelerator pedal potentiometer defective | Replace the accelerator pedal Op. 1068A20 ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH BUILT-IN POTENTIOMETER - R.R | |||
| 4 | MOTORIZED THROTTLE OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check the condition of the motorized throttle actuator connection Check the condition of the wiring Check that the motorized throttle is working properly by doing the following: See Test 1056BW Check on the throttle body actuator operation | Move on to Step 5 | Connection defective | Restore correct connection. | |
| Wiring defective | Restore the correct wiring. | |||
| Motorized throttle defective | Replace the motorized throttle | |||
| 5 | IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Inspect the spark plugs, checking: - for possible electrode wear; - for carbon deposits; - for any damage to the spark plug insulator; - that the distance between the electrodes is correct; - the correct HV signal, by doing the following: | Move on to Step 6 | Spark plugs defective | Replace spark plugs | |
| Coils defective | Replace coils | |||
| 6 | INJECTOR CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that all the injectors are working properly. Identify any injector that may be mechanically stuck shut. | Move on to Step 7 | Injector defective | Replace the injector Op. 1056B70 INJECTOR (ONE) - R + R WITH FUEL MANIFOLD PIPE REMOVED - INCLUDES SEAL REPLACEMNT | |
| 7 | ELECTRIC PUMP CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the electric pump is receiving the correct power supply | Move on to Step 8 | Connection to electric pump earth defective | Restore the correct earth connection. | |
| Electric pump defective | Replace the electric pump Op. 1040A70 SUBMERGED PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE WITH LEVEL GAUGE CONTROL - R + R | |||
| 8 | CORRECT OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | The problem persists | Replace the engine management control unit |
Prolonged performance reductions occur under constant load and speed conditions.
| TEST RESULTS | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check the following, in order: - no leaks in fuel circuit; - condition of the air intake circuit; - no obstructions in the catalytic converter; - no water or impurities in the diesel fuel; - fuel filter very blocked | Move on to Step 1 | Fault in the air intake circuit | Renew the air intake circuit | |
| Obstruction in the catalytic converter | Replace the catalytic converter | |||
| Water in diesel fuel | Remove water from diesel fuel | |||
| Leaks in fuel circuit | Eliminate leaks | |||
| 1 | LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Check using the See T CHECK ON CHANGE IN PRESSURE AT THE FUEL FILTER that the difference in pressure upstream and downstream of the filter is less than 0.5 bar | Move on to Step 2 | Difference in pressure more than 0.5 bar | Replace the fuel filter | |
| 2 | CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | Move on to Step 2 | Error detected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Implausible parameters | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 3 | ROAD TEST USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Carry out a road test, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Make sure that the conditions in which the problem occurs are reproduced Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | End of diagnosis | The sudden onset of errors in the control unit is detected | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Parameters off the scale | Move on to Step 4 | |||
| 4 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
| Using the Examiner, check that the signal reaches 100% when reading the parameters and goes to the end of travel position | Move on to Step 5 | Accelerator pedal travel incorrect | Restore the accelerator pedal travel | |
| Accelerator pedal potentiometer defective | Replace the accelerator pedal Op. 1068A20 ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH BUILT-IN POTENTIOMETER - R.R | |||
| 5 | INJECTOR CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
| Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that all the injectors are working properly. Identify any injector that may be mechanically stuck shut. | Move on to Step 6 | Injector defective | Replace the injector | |
| 6 | EGR VALVE CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
| Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that the EGR solenoid valve is working properly | Move on to Step 7 | EGR solenoid defective | Replace the EGR solenoid | |
| Wiring between solenoid and engine management control unit interrupted | Restore the correct wiring | |||
| EGR air valve stuck open or throttle mechanically stuck shut | Replace the air valve | |||
| 7 | BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Check that the brake pedal switch is working properly | Move on to Step 8 | Brake pedal does not return | Remove the cause of the sticking | |
| Switch stuck closed | Replace the switch | |||
| Wiring short-circuited | Eliminate the cause of the problem | |||
| 8 | ELECTRIC PUMP CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Check that the electric pump is receiving the correct power supply by doing the following: | Move on to Step 9 | The electric pump is not receiving an electrical power supply because the wiring between the control relay and the electric pump is broken | Restore the correct wiring | |
| 9 | AIR FLOW METER OPERATION CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Check that the air flow meter is working correctly Check the continuity of the wiring between the air flow meter and the engine management control unit by carrying out the following: | Move on to Step 10 | Air flow meter defective | Replace the air flow meter | |
| Wiring defective | Restore the correct wiring | |||
| 10 | LAMBDA SENSOR CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
Check that the Lambda sensor is working properly by performing the following: See Test 1080BI Check on operation of Lambda sensor heater and the See Test 1080BA Check on the operation of the upstream Lambda sensor | Move on to Step 11 | Wiring between junction unit and sensor defective | Restore the correct wiring | |
| Sensor defective | Replace the sensor | |||
| 11 | CORRECT OPERATION CHECK | ALL OK | PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED | ACTION |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | The fault persists | Replace the engine management control unit | |
Momentary lack of response when the accelerator pedal is pressed. Can happen at any speed. Usually it is more obvious when trying to get the vehicle to set off, for example after a stop.
| Test results | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check the following, in order: - no leaks in fuel circuit; - condition of the air intake circuit; - no obstructions in the catalytic converter; - no water or impurities in the petrol - fuel filter very blocked | Move on to Step 1 | Fault in the air intake circuit | Renew the air intake circuit | |
| Obstruction in the catalytic converter | Replace the catalytic converter | |||
| Water in the fuel | Remove water from the fuel | |||
| Leaks in fuel circuit | Eliminate leaks | |||
| Fuel filter blocked | Replace the fuel filter | |||
| 1 | CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | Move on to Step 2 | Error detected in the control unit | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Implausible parameters | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |||
| 2 | ROAD TEST USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Carry out a road test, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected. Make sure that the conditions in which the problem occurs are reproduced Check: - that there are no errors in the control unit; - parameter plausibility. | End of diagnosis | The sudden onset of errors in the control unit is detected | Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| Parameters off the scale. | Move on to Step 3 | |||
| 3 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Using the Examiner, check that the signal reaches 100% when reading the parameters and that it goes to the end of travel position | Move on to Step 4 | Accelerator pedal travel incorrect | Restore the accelerator pedal travel | |
| Accelerator pedal potentiometer defective | Replace the accelerator pedal Op. 1068A20 ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH BUILT-IN POTENTIOMETER - R.R | |||
| 4 | MOTORIZED THROTTLE OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check the condition of the motorized throttle actuator connection Check the condition of the wiring Check that the motorized throttle is working properly, carrying out See Test 1056BW Check on the throttle body actuator operation | Move on to Step 5 | Connection defective | Restore correct connection. | |
| Wiring defective | Restore the correct wiring. | |||
| Motorized throttle defective | Replace the motorized throttle | |||
| 5 | IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Inspect the spark plugs, checking: - for possible electrode wear; - for carbon deposits; - for any damage to the spark plug insulator; - that the distance between the electrodes is correct; - the correct HV signal, by carrying out the See Test 5510CI IGNITION COIL OPERATION CHECK | Move on to Step 6 | Spark plugs defective | Replace spark plugs | |
| Coils defective | Replace coils | |||
| 6 | INJECTOR CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that all the injectors are working properly. Identify any injector that may be mechanically stuck shut. | Move on to Step 7 | Injector defective | Replace the injector Op. 1056B70 INJECTOR (ONE) - R + R WITH FUEL MANIFOLD PIPE REMOVED - INCLUDES SEAL REPLACEMNT | |
| 7 | ELECTRIC PUMP CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the electric pump is receiving the correct power supply by carrying out the following: | Move on to Step 8 | Connection to electric pump earth defective | Restore the correct earth connection. | |
| Electric pump defective | Replace the electric pump Op. 1040A70 SUBMERGED PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE WITH LEVEL GAUGE CONTROL - R + R | |||
| 8 | CORRECT OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | The fault persists | Replace the engine management control unit | |
Parts & tools for this job For 2007 Fiat Bravo
- PARTEngine gasket setSearch: Fiat Bravo 2007 engine gasket set
- TOOLTorque wrenchSearch: 3/8 inch torque wrench
- TOOLFeeler gauge setSearch: feeler gauge set
Links open Amazon search results in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.