Workshop Manuals Factory service & repair Fiat
01 General information02 Specifications03 Manufacturing data and tolerances04 Tightening torques05 Fluids and lubricants06 Maintenance07 Diagnostic checks08 Engine09 Clutch10 Gearbox and differential11 Axles and driveshafts12 Brakes13 Steering14 Suspension and wheels15 Heating, air conditioning and auxiliary units16 Electrical equipment17 Body fittings18 Body panels and frame19 Wiring diagrams and electrical functions20 Wiring harnesses21 Connectors and pin-outs22 Fault diagnosis23 Special tools
Fiat Idea Factory Service Manual (2003-2012)22 · Fault diagnosis
22 · Diagnostics

Engine cuts out whilst driving

Make
Fiat
Model
Idea Factory Service Manual
Year
2003–2012
Section
Engine › Engine cuts out whilst driving
Fault diagnosisEngine cuts out whilst driving

ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILST DRIVING

1.4 16v

The engine cuts out suddenly whilst driving. Later, after starting normally, it works again

Results of the tests
0PRELIMINARY CHECKSAll OKProblems metOperation

Preliminarily check:

  • that the earth is correctly fixed on the engine
  • that the battery earth is correctly fastened; See E1020 EARTHS
  • that the positive battery terminal and the cables connected to it are correctly fastened See E1010 SUPPLY
  • no water in the fuel filter
Continue to Step 1Earth leads incorrectly fixedRenew or, if necessary, replace the battery earth lead Op. 5530B22
Battery positive earth incorrectly fixedRestore battery positive lead Op. 5530B26
Presence of water in the fuelReplace the fuel
1CHECK WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems metOperation

Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket.

check

  • that there are no faults in the engine management control unit;
  • plausibility of all the parameters
Continue to Step 2An error is detected in the control unitContinue according to the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
Inconsistent parameterContinue according to the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
2ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems metOperation

Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected.

Check:

  • that there are no faults in the engine management control unit;
  • the plausibility of all the parameters.
Continue to Step 3Error arises suddenly in the control unitContinue according to the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
Inconsistent parameterContinue according to the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
Loss of dialogue between the control unit and diagnostic instrumentRestore the control unit circuit supply See E5030 PETROL ENGINE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT
3CHECK ON FUEL PRESSURE ON ROADAll OKProblems metOperation

Road test the vehicle and check the fuel supply pressure Op. 0510C10

Make sure that the conditions in which the problem occurs are reproduced

Continue to Step 4Pressure not correct: obstructions in the pipeRemove the obstructions in the fuel pipe, and if necessary replace it
Pressure incorrect: fuel pump damagedReplace fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70
4CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATIONAll OKProblems metOperation
Check that the fault is no longer presentEnd of diagnosisFault persists: control unit faultyReplace control unit Op. 1056B82

1.3 JTD 16v

The engine cuts out suddenly whilst driving. Later, after starting normally, it works again

Results of the tests
0PRELIMINARY CHECKSAll OKProblems metOperation

Preliminarily check:

  • that there is fuel in the tank
  • the engine wiring is properly connected to earth
  • battery earth correctly fixed
  • correct fixing of positive battery terminal and that all leads are connected
  • no water in the fuel filter
Continue to Step 1No fuelIntroduce fuel
Fastenings slack or oxidizedRe-attach correctly
Presence of water in the fuel filterClean the tank and pipes and replace the filter element Op. 1044B20
1CHECK WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems metOperation

Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket

Check that there are no errors in the control unit

Continue to Step 2An error is detected in the control unitContinue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
2ROAD TEST WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems metOperation

Road test the vehicle, reproducing the conditions in which the fault arises, keeping the diagnostic equipment connected.

Check that there are no errors stored in the control unit memory

Continue to Step 3An error is detected in the control unitContinue following the instructions for the diagnostic equipment
3INJECTOR HIGH PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Check, as described in the test See Test 1060C Injector high pressure fuel circuit check, that diesel leaks from the injector recirculation connections are small and about the same as one another.Continue to Step 4Consistent leak from one injectorReplace the injector Op. 1060F10
4HIGH PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation

Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket

Check as described in the test See Test 1060D Check high pressure fuel circuitthat the diesel pressure parameter is correct

Continue to Step 12Pressure not correctContinue to Step 5
5CHECK ON RETURN LOW PRESSUREAll OKProblems metOperation
Check as described in the test See Test 1060A Low return fuel pressure circuit checkthat the pressure in the return pipe to the tank is under 1 barContinue to Step 6Pressure above maximum limit: return pipe to tank blockedRepair the pipe; if necessary replace it
6LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Check as described in the test See Test 1060B Low fuel pressure supply circuit checkthat the diesel pressure between filter and pressure pump is between 2 and 3 barContinue to Step 12Pressure below minimum limit or above maximum limitContinue to Step 7
7CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATIONAll OKProblems metOperation
Choke the return pipe from the pressure regulating valve and repeat the test See Test 1060B Low fuel pressure supply circuit checkwith the pipe choked, checking that the pressure at the filter outlet is below 2 barContinue to Step 8Pressure rises to 5 bar: blocked pressure regulation valve on filter supportReplace the valve Op. 1044B16
8LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Check that the difference in pressure upstream and downstream of the filter is less than 1 barContinue to Step 9Difference in pressure greater than 1 barReplace the diesel filter cartridge Op. 1044B20
9LOW SUPPLY PRESSUR CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Check that the supply pump pressure at the filter inlet is over 2.2 barContinue to Step 12Pressure below 2.2 barContinue to Step 10
10LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Measure the difference in pressure between electric pump outlet and filter inlet, checking that it is less than 0.3 barContinue to Step 11Difference in pressure greater than 0.3 barReplace the pipe
11LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Check as described in the test See Test 1060A Low return fuel pressure circuit checkthat the pump's supply voltage is 12V and that the absorbed current is between 2 and 10 amps.Continue to Step 12Voltage < 12 VCheck electric wiring See E5050 DIESEL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT
Current > 10 Amp: pump defectiveReplace the fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70
Current < 2 Amp.: pump blockedReplace the fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70and clean the fuel tank
12CORRECT OPERATION CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Replace the DRV high-pressure valve and check that the fault is no longer presentEnd of diagnosisFault persistsContinue to Step 13
13CORRECT OPERATION CHECKAll OKProblems metOperation
Replace the pressure pump and check that the fault is no longer presentEnd of diagnosisFault persistsContact Technical Service for further information on the problem

Parts & tools for this job For 2003 Fiat Idea

Links open Amazon search results in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.