Club 80-90 Forums

I am hoping this is a problem that somebody has had before.
Our van runs great on a journey to journey basis but very occasionally it will lose power and although still idle has no power and just slows down. The weird this is if I quickly turn the ignition off and the. Back on again it returns to normal running. I was living with this small problem but now as we are away for tue weekend it is doing it every 200yards. Again if I quickly flick the ignition off and on it runs as normal.
Any thoughts on what is happening to the van.


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Is it black smoking ?
Is the lambda sensor connected ?
Have you tried disconnecting the lambda sensor and driving it ?

Aidan wrote:Is it black smoking ?
Is the lambda sensor connected ?
Have you tried disconnecting the lambda sensor and driving it ?

Hi Aiden, when it idles there is no black smoke. I am not aware that there is ever any black smoke. When the van is running fine it runs great.


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I'd go through the engine bay electrics disconnecting and reconnecting everything in turn as this sort of intermittent fault maybe caused by a bad connection.
I'd start by disconnecting the ecu first as that is the master and there are 25 pins on there anyone of which could have got a little corroded, it's unlikely, but also disconnecting it and leaving it disconnected for 30 seconds will also clear the ECU memory, so when reconnected it will reset to base factory settings without any memory from the adaptive system and check the local earth for the ecu the flying wire has good contact and is clean
Did anything get disturbed when checking/servicing the van ready for the weekend away ?

Aidan wrote:I'd go through the engine bay electrics disconnecting and reconnecting everything in turn as this sort of intermittent fault maybe caused by a bad connection.
I'd start by disconnecting the ecu first as that is the master and there are 25 pins on there anyone of which could have got a little corroded, it's unlikely, but also disconnecting it and leaving it disconnected for 30 seconds will also clear the ECU memory, so when reconnected it will reset to base factory settings without any memory from the adaptive system and check the local earth for the ecu the flying wire has good contact and is clean
Did anything get disturbed when checking/servicing the van ready for the weekend away ?

Ah Lamda sensor just came away in my hand. That will need to be replaced. I will then work through the list. Thank you


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I have a lamda sensor still in the cat from a van from california so very rust free.

ensure the ecu side of the lambda connector is well insulated so no stray voltage signal can be transmitted to the ecu - when it starts it will check to see if connected, if it registers it isn't connected it will run on basic map but without any adjustment, it will use a dadge more fuel but should run just fine - if you've been getting an odd signal down that wire it could explain the poor running

I've been running my MV for three years now - low miles though - without a lamda sensor in place . the van came with a nice new exhaust but minus cat . Do you think it would be worth reinstating the sensor ? Wiring and connectors are still in place . Incidentally the van runs really well as is . Thanks .

Trakka pop top by the way .

Lambda should improve fuel economy, but not by all that much.
Check your spark plugs after a run are they sooting up at all, sign of incomplete burn/rich mix, if not maybe don't worry about it.
With lambda fitted the exhaust musn't have air leaks or else you get a weak mix signal and ecu will overfuel

Thanks Aiden - that's reassuring , great to have competent advice .

OK, so thanks Aiden for the direction to look. After a brief conversation with a BW guy I really respect I powered down the ECU by disconnecting the battery and connecting the +&- together for half an hour. Then re connected. The van is running way better than before. I am waiting for the Lambda probe to come in the post tomorrow and here’s hoping that the last wee bit of power loss returns. I will let you know.


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