ZX 1.4i rear suspension and engine problems.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » 05 Sep 2003, 13:16

Hi
I’m hoping someone can help me diagnose two problems with the 1.4I ZX I’ve just bought.
First there is what can only be described as a loud bang/crash from the rear of the car whenever I go over a speed bump or pothole in the road. I checked the obvious spare wheel holder to see if it was loose but it all seems secure. Could it be the subframe mounts?
Second problem happened yesterday on the way home. I was going along (approx. 60mph) when the car started to feel hesitant and loose a little power. I pulled over at the next lay by and the engine seemed to have a life of its own constantly reving a little as if someone kept tapping the throttle? I stopped the car and I had a quick look under the bonet (not that I could do much, but it made me feel better!) When I tried to start the car again no problem and it settled down to it’s normal idle speed? Could this be fuel injection problems?
Many thanks for any help you can offer, Duncan

CITMAN · Post by **CITMAN** » 05 Sep 2003, 18:32

Your suspension problem is most likely to do with your rear suspension rubber mounts which do wear over a period of time and do cause the sort of problems you are describing. And your engine problem sounds like an engine management fault and there could be a problem with ecu's sensors. Its hard to say which sensors could be playing up.
I think you best option is to visit a garage who has the necessary equipment to perform a diagnostic on the car. This is where they plug your cars computer into another which reads of the fault codes.

Niek · Post by **Niek** » 06 Sep 2003, 01:20

Hi Duncan,
We have a Bx '92 1.4i, probably the exact same engine as your Zx. On the Bx there is a plug (green 2 wire slots) which you can use to read the ECU using the diagnostic light on the dash.
First you need to find out where about this plug lives on your car, in the Bx it's on the right hand side of the car under the bonnet just close to the suspension turret, it just sort of hangs there.
Once you've located it, get a wire to fit into it (on the Bx to the green wire of the plug) long enough to take it back into the car, get another wire connected to the negative pole of the battery and also take it with you inside the car. If you want to make it really fancy put a switch between the two wires (no need though you can also just make them touch by hand). You now turn your key all the way but don't start the car. Close the switch for three seconds and you should get the first code from the ecu light (it'll blink 'long' 'short' 'short' indicating code 12 which is the start code for reading the ecu) repeat this untill you get a code 11 ('long' 'short') which denotes the end of the stored codes. Anything in between are error codes. If you get any just post and I'll tell you what they mean. Maybe the Haynes manual also explains the codes???
I just found out this can also be done with an Xm!!
Niek.
Ps: the car hesitating doesn't mean there will always be a code, it may just as well be a clogged up petrol filter, or any sensor giving an odd reading but still a reading (the ecu won't consider it to be an error if it does this) etc...

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » 06 Sep 2003, 03:16

Thanks for your help. I've done a bit of reading of the other topics and the suspension noise seems to be common. I'll investigate further tomorrow but it looks like it will be the rear mounts. I'll also have a go at the ECU codes but I might just take it up to Citronome in Derby and get them to have a look. Thanks once again.

CITMAN · Post by **CITMAN** » 06 Sep 2003, 17:05

best bet would be to take it to the citroen specialist who will have the necessary equipment just in case you cause damage to the ecu which is very expensive component. On my zx 1.4 diagonostic plug is in a black box, which is in front of the battery. You can buy a special tool which plugs directly into this connection to the ecu. Its called the gunson code reader it comes with a full set of instructions along with what each code means.
Good luck

MiX · Post by **MiX** » 08 Sep 2003, 06:14

CITMAN
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
You can buy a special tool which plugs directly into this connection to the ecu. Its called the gunson code reader it comes with a full set of instructions along with what each code means.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do you now where I can buy one of these? Price?
--
Jarle

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 08 Sep 2003, 06:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MiX

Do you now where I can buy one of these? Price?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I try not to state the obvious but.....
Here? [:D]
£20 for a Cit/Pug Fault Finder

MiX · Post by **MiX** » 09 Sep 2003, 20:03

£20 for the Fault Finder isn't too bad, but shipping costs of £26,50 (to norway) sucks!! [:(]
--
Jarle

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 09 Sep 2003, 21:28

have a look at the gunsons homepage and then stockists - they may be able to put you in touch with some more local. Alternatively try a google search and see if any show up there.
Jeremy