Rev3 Mk2 3S-GTE Turbo - Cuts out when hot and won't restart til cold

[Foggy188]

Hi all,

I have a 1993 turbo 3S-GTE (import). It starts from cold first time and runs like a dream, no smoke, idle issues etc. Temperature gauge goes up half way there are no issues with overheating.

I can leave it at idle and it will run all day no problem but if I drive it normally after about 30-40 minutes the engine will cut out, all the dash lights come up and you have to get it to the side of the road. If you leave the car to cool down for 30 minutes (will crank over no problem) it will restart and then run for 20-30minutes till it does the same again. Has anyone had and fixed this issue ? I'm thinking its something to do with the ignition system ?

[jimi]

Have you checked for error codes ?

[Foggy188]

not yet, not 100% sure how to do that

[jimi]

Know Your 2 is your friend http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2. ... bartid=162

[Foggy188]

Thanks will check tomorrow and let you know the codes

[notroubleclubber]

Not sure if related but my old xr2 used to do the same thing.
It ended being fuel starvation as i changed the fuel cap to a fancy one and it wasnt letting it breathe or something which was causing the fuel to stop running.
Changed the cap and all was well.

Not saying its your fuel cap but will be worth looking at fuelling system.

[Foggy188]

Ok, I'll check that. Worth a try !

[Foggy188]

Right, I have checked for error codes and the light constantly blinks which I believe means there are no errors stored in the ECU. Battery/charging is fine so no issues there. I've checked all the vacuum hoses are connected and all the electrical connectors are plugged in and there are no issues there. Any ideas were I should start ?

[notroubleclubber]

When it cuts out again, undo the petrol cap and let the air out and then try restarting.
Sounds fuel related to me. Might be the pump breaking down. Cant really tell without a toolbox with you when you break down.

[Foggy188]

Ok, I'll give it a try and let you know how I get on. Is the fuel cap meant to be vented or does it vent out through a tube? If the cap doesn't work after it's stopped, when I turn the ignition on should I be able to hear the pump prime up or run ?

[benckj]

My money is on faulty caps in ECU. They all seem to be playing up now.

Jim

[Foggy188]

Ok, I'll pop the ecu out and check for leaking capacitors and let you know

[jimi]

My money is on faulty caps in ECU. They all seem to be playing up now.

Jim

That's a pretty sweeping statement, what evidence is there to back it up ? The odd one here and there doesn't quite fit with "they all seem to be playing up now"
I don't recall many posts (if any) on here of faults that came down to leaking capacitors or even ECU faults

[benckj]

My money is on faulty caps in ECU. They all seem to be playing up now.

Jim

That's a pretty sweeping statement, what evidence is there to back it up ? The odd one here and there doesn't quite fit with "they all seem to be playing up now"
I don't recall many posts (if any) on here of faults that came down to leaking capacitors or even ECU faults

Look further than home and you will find many related faults due to capacitors in the ECU. These cars are over 20 yrs old and the cap have a limited life. As they heat up they dry out and various ignition problems result. Often a visual check can identify electrolyte leaking and corroding onto PCB. Sometimes it is simply a shorted circuit that results in an idle problem. All seem to occur when PCB heats up which is a symptom in this thread.

Jim