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bloodyhell - 04 Dec 2006 16:56 GMT

my fiat bravo 1.4 has recently started to idle low and the headlights are
dim and the wipers are slow until you press the accelerator.and whilst
driving and braking the engine will cut out and need to be fired up again
this mainly happens whilst the engine is cold and once you have been
driving for around 15 minutes it doesnt seem to cut out anymore. There is
a warning light constantly on now on the dashboard which looks light an
injector or spark plug of some sort can anybody educate me. also its been
in the garage today and they didnt know what the problem was but advised
me towards an engine diagnostics check (what is that)

thanks everybody

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Nick ///// - 04 Dec 2006 19:51 GMT

> my fiat bravo 1.4 has recently started to idle low and the headlights are
> dim and the wipers are slow until you press the accelerator.and whilst
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> thanks everybody

Could be anything but I would go for and ECU problem to begin with. Don't
panic just yet. It could be that the ECU needs to be edcuated again. This
is an easy proceedure that you can do yourself at no cost. If it works and
the car remains stable for a number of start/stop and hours of engine
running with no problems then the warning light on the dash should reset
itself.

The ECU training proceedure is:

>>>> The other possible cause is that the ECU which is self adaptive has got
>>>> itself all confused and needs retraining.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Please report back how you get on.

If this fails to work then you may have to go and have the "diagnostics"
check. This is nothing special other than the garage plugging the "Fiat
Examiner" into the system to read any fault codes. Fault codes also have
attached data like time, engine speed, temperature, throttle position etc.
If nothing conclusive is reported then they just reset the fault light and
send you on your way to possible come back again and again till something
hard and positive is recorded.

Most good independent garages have the equipment to do an ECU / fault code
test. You don't have to go to a Fait dealer. Also you can buy kit and
software yourself for less than £100 which will do/check most things. Worth
while if you have several cars that could play up. After the cost of two
checks/tests at a garage you would potentially be back in pocket again.

Go and try the retraining proceedure first of all.
Nick /////

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