Engine running fast (intermittent)

Vroom Vroom · Post by **Vroom Vroom** » 04 Nov 2009, 17:22

A peculiar problem with my Citroen Xsara 1.4i forte (X'reg) saloon.

From cold, it's fine. After about 10 miles or so, it fairly consistently has a bit of a sulk and the engine runs fast, at about 1800-2000 rpm, which stays there if you depress the clutch. This causes the engine to apparently misfire, or at least it shudders a bit. After a minute or so, it seems to settle down to normal.

Any ideas? I had thought it might be the automatic choke, but it doesn't run rough at all, just has this blip.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

J.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 04 Nov 2009, 17:46

hi J and welcome

sounds like it could be the idle speed stepper motor,

to check for sure if it is remove it blast it out with carb cleaner and stick it back on, if this fix's it it will almost certainly require a new unit shortly after, as the carb cleaner seems to finnish them off, but usualy it works long enough to peoove the point

were abouts are you

regards malcolm

Vroom Vroom · Post by **Vroom Vroom** » 05 Nov 2009, 08:27

Thanks very much for kind welcome and even kinder hint at what this may be.

I'm on Anglesey, north Wales. Usually happier looking at non-electonic-ised aircraft engines!

I'm a complete eejit when it comes to cars, but had noticed a similarity with the engine idling regulator as it usually works, and the problem that I currently have. I'm sure what you suggest is correct, so will have a go at this.

Kind regards,
John.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 05 Nov 2009, 13:18

seems theres quite a few FCF mambers on YNYS MON,

you will have to look Paul (citroemxm) up you must be almost neghbours as its only a tinny island isn't it

regards malcolm

addo · Post by **addo** » 05 Nov 2009, 19:00

citronut wrote:...its only a tinny island isn't it.

True; all the way from Land's End to John O'Groats.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 05 Nov 2009, 19:26

addo i was not meaning the not so great britain as a hole, or i spoze thats about right in these time the nooo, i did actualy mean just the isle of Anglsea,

regards malcolm

addo · Post by **addo** » 06 Nov 2009, 09:40

Since I've got your attention Malcolm, I replaced the Xantia's idle stepper motor recently with an OEM part, cleared all codes with a diagnostic scanner and still have the odd bit of pulsating idle.

As a city-driven car on about 95K miles, do you think the poxygen sensor is possibly giving an erroneous reading at times?

Regards, Adam.

Vroom Vroom · Post by **Vroom Vroom** » 07 Nov 2009, 07:40

you must be almost neghbours as its only a tinny island isn't it

Not sure about tinny - or tiny! About 250 square miles in area.

I hate 'isle of Anglesey', too! Anglesey is old Norse for 'Ongul's Island'. So 'isleof Anglesey' translates as 'the island of Ongul's island'. Not very sensible. The Council are too thick to realise - or care.

J.