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Old 27th October 2014, 19:12   #1
norwayrover
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Default mg ztt 1,8t trouble...

Hi all!
Have been a member here for a while with a Rover 75, and just bought a 2004 MG ZT-T 1,8T.
The 75 runs smooth as ever, BUT my new car is a different matter.
After been sitting for 14 days i tried to start it today but the battery was absolutely flat.
Recharged it, and engine fired right up.
Left it for 5 minutes idling and suddenly it started to judder, ligths and dash flickering and eventually it died.
Checked plenum, and ofcourse there was water there so i drained it and car fired up again.
Drove it into my garage and removed the ECU and left it to dry in the house.
No visible watermarks on the ECU and the label at the bottom was dry.
However, just refitted the ECU and the car is just the same as described above.
After it stops i can wait for 3-4 minutes and it will fire right up, run smooth for 5 minutes and then the same happens.
Have checked for faultcodes with my Autel codereader, but no codes is stored.
SO, question is what have gone wrong, and how can it be rectified.
Was going to sell my Volvo C70 cab and have this as my daily drive, but getting second thoughts here now....
Hope this is a known problem that someone can shed some light on.

Regards
Robert.
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Old 27th October 2014, 20:38   #2
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Sounds like a Dead alternator with a weak battery IMO, do you have a volt meter ? if so check battery then start car and check to see if the charging voltage is around 13v, If all ok there check your plenums are clear and your ecu hasn't got wet.
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:21   #3
norwayrover
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big_GT View Post
Sounds like a Dead alternator with a weak battery IMO, do you have a volt meter ? if so check battery then start car and check to see if the charging voltage is around 13v, If all ok there check your plenums are clear and your ecu hasn't got wet.
Just checked voltage, 14,1V measured at battery on idle, parklights on and heater off.
Funny thing is that i now had it idling for 10 minutes without any trouble at all
Have not tried to drive it though, will have to be tomorrow.
Plenum is dry now, however was water in it after i recharged battery.
May have got water in ECU, but i don't know.
I did take it inside to dry it just to be sure but have not opened it as it seemed to be a job for the more skilled.
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:30   #4
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Any possibility of fuel contamination? Perhaps water.
Regards
Barry
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:40   #5
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Your ECU should be fine, it is sealed (unlike the diesels), water damage will only occur if the level has reached the connector at the top
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:46   #6
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Any possibility of fuel contamination? Perhaps water.
Regards
Barry
Have no idea, would have thought that it would make it idle more erratic all the time??
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:52   #7
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Quote:
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Your ECU should be fine, it is sealed (unlike the diesels), water damage will only occur if the level has reached the connector at the top
That is great news!
Then what could be the problem?
Bad connectors on fusebox or anything obvious?

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Robert.
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Old 27th October 2014, 21:58   #8
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If the battery has a bad cell will our cars run on Alternator alone ? I've never had one go on a ZT so I can't comment
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Old 27th October 2014, 22:36   #9
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could be a bad earth maybe or loose connection , have you checked the fuel filter for separation in the tank?
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Old 27th October 2014, 22:45   #10
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could be a bad earth maybe or loose connection , have you checked the fuel filter for separation in the tank?
Is there a fuel filter in the tank?
Any links to articles about this?
Can hear fuelpump when ignition is on.
Will wiggle on connections tomorrow
The more i think of it, the more i feel that the symptoms seems like fuel starvation.
Any clues on this?
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