Hi,

My 1999 1.3 manual Felicia sometimes stalls after around 1-2 km and is then very hard to start (often a couple of minutes or more before I can get it going agqain). Otherwise it runs normally with no problems. This happened yesterday as I was moving through an intersection and could have been dangerous with more traffic around. As it was I was able to coast to the side of the road for a restart. The engine spun normally on the starter, so no problem with the battery. Eventually the motor started - sounded like it was firing on only one or max. two cylinders at first, but then suddenly came good and has been fine since then on a 60km round trip.

Wondering if it could be fuel or electrical? No misfire before stalling, just a sudden engine cut out. A bit wary now, in case it happens again (yesterday was the second time in a couple of months).....

Any comments/advice much appreciated, thanks

Have you checked your spark-plugs?

Have you installed other type for example Iridium?

 

Have you checked the crank sensor? Connections or dirt beneath it?

Have you ever cleaned your injectors?

 

10 hours ago, Sympol said:

Eventually the motor started - sounded like it was firing on only one or max. two cylinders at first, but then suddenly came good and has been fine since then on a 60km round trip.

 

This sounds like the ignition module. It consists of two ignition coils, so the engine runs on two cylinders if one fails.

Bad module is often sensitive to moisture because of cracked insulator, have you noticed this behaviour?

 

Intermittent failures can be caused by the crankshaft sensor - diagnostics should show some error in this case.

 

Last thing is the fuel pump - does this happen with low fuel level? 

I agree with @Papez on this one, the felly system is wasted spark. If you had crank sensor issue you would have no spark, but you did have some spark so I vote for coils

2 hours ago, Thefeliciahacker said:

If you had crank sensor issue you would have no spark

 

No spark? I don't think so.

 

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/01/07/5-signs-of-a-failing-crank-sensor/

 

Quote

1. CRANK SENSOR PROBLEMS COULD MAKE IT HARD TO START CAR

One sign that your crankshaft sensor might be failing is if you find it hard to start your vehicle. The sensor keeps track of the speed and location of the crankshaft. If it’s failing, your vehicle might be difficult to start up.

In fact, the problem might be an intermittent one, which can make it more frustrating. On the one hand, it might take a long time to get your vehicle to start. On the other hand, your vehicle might simply refuse to start at all.

2. ENGINE VIBRATION ISSUES

Another sign that your crankshaft sensor might be faulty is an engine vibrating problem. Any such issue could signal a cylinder misfiring problem stemming from a failing crankshaft position sensor.

 

https://mechanicbase.com/engine/crankshaft-position-sensor-symptoms/

 

Crank sensor ''issues'' in the past caused me 2 times the car tun-off suddenly in the middle of the road.

Thanks for the replies. The fuel level was quite low (less than a quarter of a tank) so it could have been condensation in the fuel tank, possibly. Not had any problems since that one occurence - the car starts pretty well first time every time. I'll investigate the crank sensor as soon as I can.....