Hi all,

My car's developed a problem over the last few weeks, in that while I'm driving along all the counters zero and the needles of the revs and speed drop down to zero also. Sometimes the engine cuts out. It happens completely randomly. We've tested that the battery and alternator are working properly, does anybody have any experience of this problem in 6n1s, or have any advice as to what it might be?

All the best,

Matt.

My first thoughts are that the hall sender in the distributor is on its way out, but wouldn't have thought that this would affect the speedo, it could however cause the tachometer to stop working.

Before you go out and buy a new distributor, it would pay to check all engine management connections including the earth points and then maybe check to see if there are any fault codes.

Regards.

Exactly the same as mine. No idea what it is yet, sending mine to the garage tomorrow mate so will let you know. Damian.

Cheers for the replies, much appreciated!

I haven't had this happen to my 6N before.

What I can say is that with the 6N clocks, certain systems are inter-linked, so it may be one component failing which is causing the rest to fail. For example, when I used to switch my engine on with no feed to the rev gauge, it would beep/flash that there was an oil pressure problem. As soon as I put a feed to the rev gauge, this stopped the oil pressure warning system from beeping/flashing. When the clocks sensed that there was oil pressure but no revs, it assumed a surge in the oil system (i'm guessing).

So, if your speedo or rev clocks cut out for whatever reason, it may be causing the others to do the same.

As above, if it runs fine one minute and simply cuts out the next, then I would also think it is something ignition related. Check all connections to distributor and coil etc. Also check that the ECU main plug connection is ok because the fuel pump should ground at the ECU and if you have no fuel pressure, the engine won't run. It may be worth checking the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) is ok too.

ECU is located underneath scuttle panel on the passenger side and the VSS is located on the back of the gearbox, near the linkages, and is a three wire plug that feeds up into the trunking on top of the gearbox.

I wouldn't worry too much about it being a wiring loom issue, they don't tend to set themselves on fire like Peugeot's do, i've had mine apart recently and it was pretty much factory fresh after 13 years.

Hope some of this helps, i'm rather baffled as to specifics, but i'd say ignition related at a guess.

I've got it doing this on camera, although it seems now to be linked to usage of the instruments (heater, lights etc.) I've put a video on Youtube, could somebody take a look for me please?

http://youtu.be/zTomPapwqKg

If you turn the sound up you'll hear the engine cutting out, and you'll also hear the noise the needles on the speedo/rev counter make when they flicker around 0. Notice the time on the clock is 3:40 at the start of the video, and then resets back to 0 with the trip counter.

Thoughts?

It just MIGHT be worth checking the voltage at terminal 23 on the ECU (and/or terminal 3 on the ignition amplifier), both with the engine running without any load on the electrics and then again with say the headlights or rear screen demister turned 'on'. You should get more or less the same values, if you don't, there may be some high resistance in the feed to the ECU/coil.

Regards

had cutting out issues briefly.

found the gearbox earth was very loose,tightened up and fine since