Nissan Micra cutting out problem

sounds stupid but have you got enough oil in the engine?

Reply 2

foxycaradoc

My fiesta has been doing this as well (I think). She won't idle and just dies on me at random moments. The sound when she idles is all deep and slow, not normal at all. Junctions are impossible! I've been told that it's either

1) Ignition system dirty/damp
2) Loose connections in ignition system
3) Faulty spark plugs
4) Something in the electrics, aggravated by the rain.

However, my car will run fine one she's going (except for a few minor angry noises) and can handle short journeys, so whatever it is, it seems to come and go. It sounds like we've both got the same problem, so good luck! Let me know what the mechanics say about yours (if you take it in) because mine isnt going in until late next week.
xx

Reply 3

OP

Thanks for the replies.

I just checked the oil and it was fine - put a bit more in just in case.

I was hoping to get it sorted without a trip to the mechanic!

Reply 4

brokenangel

16

in the KA its common for the idle control valve to get clogged with gunge not sure if this is a problem with the micra but might be worth checking anyway

Reply 5

foxycaradoc

Mr Intensity

I was hoping to get it sorted without a trip to the mechanic!

Wow, I admire that! I'm hopeless with cars..if it's not perfect then it goes to the mechanic. I just don't trust myself with an engine. :s-smilie:

But if you know what to look for I guess it's easier. Have you got a Haynes manual for the Micra (do they still even make those manuals??)? Apparently they're really helpful for this sort of thing.

xx

Reply 6

OP

Had a couple of people say it may be wet/cracked distributor cap. Now I'm just confused lol.

Reply 7

Rhys.

9

Mr Intensity

Eventually I couldn't get any further, had to stop and call the AA. Waited a couple of hours, they hadn't come, so I tried to start it again and it worked!

They left you stranded for a "couple of hours"? :woo:

Reply 8

OP

Rhys.

They left you stranded for a "couple of hours"? :woo:

Well, I spent about 5 minutes trying to start it again, getting 10 yards up the hill and rolling back down, 20 minutes swearing and wondering what to do. Phoned them, they said 'within 80 minutes'. I waited 95 and they hadn't come.

:mad:

Reply 9

CurlyBen

Mr Intensity

Had a couple of people say it may be wet/cracked distributor cap. Now I'm just confused lol.

Do they know the age of the car? I took EDIS (a distributor-less ignition system) off an L reg escort a few weeks back, so I'd be surprised if a 2000 Micra still uses a distributor, but I don't know them well. Certainly if it does use a distributor I'd be inclined to start there. Has it only been a problem when it's raining/has been raining?

Reply 10

OP

Thanks for the reply Ben.

The people who said distributor were from another forum where I posted the same thing as here so I assume they do.

I put WD40 on the plugs tonight (as advised by someone) and went for a little run. First couple of times moving away were fine. Then it stared stuttering a bit and was getting progressively worse. Just about managed to get back after a 6-7 minute journey.

It was really wet when I first had the problem, and to be honest has been pretty wet most of the time since then! It was raining lightly tonight.

Reply 11

CurlyBen

Follow the plug leads back, what are they attached to? Is it a circular cap, or are they arranged in more of a square shape?

Reply 12

OP

Mmm, it's dark and raining :biggrin:

. What's the difference?

I've got a friend coming round tomorrow who knows a bit - he's got an old car and had a distributor problem a couple of months ago and fixed it himself so he's going to have a look.

Reply 13

CurlyBen

A distributor will be mounted on the end of the cam shaft, the HT leads are plugged into the distributor cap which is round so all the points are at equal distances from the centre of the shaft. A distributor-less system will have the HT leads plugged into a coil pack, which doesn't need to be round and will probably be mounted on the engine or bulkhead, but can be removed fairly easily with a screw or similar. It'll also have a small multi-wire lead going into it.

Reply 14

OP

Mr Intensity

I've got a friend coming round tomorrow who knows a bit - he's got an old car and had a distributor problem a couple of months ago and fixed it himself so he's going to have a look.

We couldn't get the distributor cap off :mad:

It's in a garage now :biggrin:

Reply 15

JC.