1.1 cutting out when cold

[archiewood]

My girlfriend's 1.1 Saxo really doesn't like running when it's cold. Start it up and it dies almost immediately if you don't give it some gas (for, like ten seconds at least).

I changed the stepper motor the other day, and left it to cool for an afternoon before trying it and it idled happily enough, but it looks like I should have left it overnight and tried it again before declaring it sorted.

Is there anything else it could be? To be honest on a damp morning like this I'm tempted to blame the spark plugs (as it ran quite roughly and shakily when it did start, as if it was missing on a cylinder), but the temperature sensor has also been mentioned to me. I've never worked on Saxos before this one so I'm just poking around really, and any advice would be appreciated.

[WelshyUK]

Fuel filter possibly, if the fuel isn't getting through it can cause this problem!

[archiewood]

Wouldn't that affect it all the time though? It seems fine, or at least much better, when it's warmed up.

[WelshyUK]

Not if it's on start up as you need the fuel pressure to pull it through the filter, once it is through, the stream will remain constant that's why it runs fine after a while. Also once it's warmed up it uses less fuel therefore doesn't struggle.

[archiewood]

Replaced the fuel filter and it seems fine after sitting overnight. Started first time from cold and idled happily, which is a first for the car as far as I know. There's still the acid test of letting my girlfriend try it but it seems good, so cheers sir!

[archiewood]

Okay, the problem's still there. I haven't tried it myself but I'm told it cuts out very easily when trying to move at low speed - i.e. parking. Assuming the idler motor I put in it is okay, what else could it be?

[archiewood]

I've seen it now - after sitting overnight in the wet it would not start without gas and only idled at 500rpm, which seems very low to me. What else could be causing this?

[danfish69]

Hey mate mine does the exact same thing when its cold so maybe its just something they do lol

[immense]

Idle speed control valve that mate, common fault.

[WelshyUK]

Idle speed control valve that mate, common fault.

I wouldn't have said Idle speed control valve, I'd be looking more at condensation either fusebox/ht leads, I would go with electrical! I have had this problem with my BM, condensation kept building up in the coil causing a very similar problem.

[stevo67]

I`ve had a similar problem so replaced the coolant temperature sensor runs fine now.


Steve.

[archiewood]

As I said, I already replaced the idler motor and it hasn't had any effect.

I did wonder about damp getting into the spark plugs or HT leads, but I guess coolant temp sensor is the cheaper alternative so I'll try that first. Cheers.

[SAJosh]

I have a similar problem where it cuts out unless I rev it for a few mins from cold, but sometimes my revs will just fly up and down as if im pushing accel' in and out took it to garage they put a new switch on [not a clue what one is like.. 1st car = me noob etc ] seems better but never solved it

[saxo174-gb]

hi,

i got a saxo 1.1i 2000 and i have the same problem.

i took it to my mates dad and he adjusted the injection and changed the ht leads and now my car idles fine. i also had the other problem wen i put the clutch down or changed gear my car would rev between 1k and 2k revs.

ive been told that this is the engine coolant temp sensor. my car is sitting in a citroen garage atm getting sorted so ill let you now what they done to fix it.

hope this helps

[archiewood]

Long-overdue update. I have now replaced the following on the car:

Fuel filter
Coolant temperature sensor
Idle stepper motor.

It still will not start when cold without gas, idles at or below 500rpm and cuts out very easily at low speed regardless of temperature.

Can anyone suggest what else could be at fault please? It's getting ridiculous now.

[stendog]

dont 1.1 have a pipe coming of the manifold cover for cold starts? correct me if im wrong. thought this was to aid with starting from cold not sure though?

[123-samsung123]

Have you tryed cleaning the throttle body housing?? Could this fault be with the throttle poistion sensor?? Have you removed the spark plugs, lead to inspect??? Could be worth checking fuel pressure on a cold morming?? If you suspect ht leads/coils earthing try spraying them with wd40, to remove dampness and go from there!!