3200 Issues after a Lay-Up

[Duncanofengland]

Hi,

My 3200 Automatic was running perfectly before I laid it up on my drive about 18 months ago with the battery disconnected. I set about starting her up today, by putting the battery on charge the afternoon before.

I had the usual problems with getting the 'code' light to go out - but even when it was out, when I cranked the engine, the car wouldn't start. After about 10 attempts, I thought that I heard a spark of life, but the battery was feeling a bit weak, so I recharged the battery again for about 2 hours and, after the usual rigmarole with the 'code' light, the engine fired up.

The problem is, that the engine is hunting badly and the throttle is hardly responding at all.

If I pull the car into 'D' or 'R' the hunting settles down a bit.

The 'CHECK ENGINE' light also comes on after a few seconds.

I let the engine get up to temperature, disconnected and topped up the battery charge for an hour before trying again - but it's still behaving the same.

I've given up now for the day, because I don't want to annoy the neighbours.

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks in advance

Duncan

2000 3200 GTA

 

[allandwf]

You may need to try the throttle reset procedure, just search for it on here. Being a pre 2001 car makes code reading not so straight forward unfortunately.

 

[Oneball]

I’d check that the throttle body is operating.

If you turn the ignition on but don’t start the throttle butterfly should cycle. Disconnect the y piece and get someone to turn it on while you watch.

 

[77GR]

Other suggestions could be (but check throttle first)

• Air leak around intake manifold
• Fuel has gone off and possibly even "gummed up"

For the "Code" error, try the spare key if you have it, it may be struggling to recognize the immobiliser chip in the primary key. I had a similar problem and a complete re-pairing of both the keys (you must have the red key for this) sorted it.

 

[MRichards]

Seems that ridiculous urban myth about fuel "gumming up" is still alive ! That problem was solved 70 years ago. All gasoline is still tested for gum formation as routine even though none is ever found.
As far as the "fuel has gone off" myth is concerned,it never happens if the fuel is properly stored. If gasoline is allowed to vent to atmosphere the light components,notably propane & butane,tend to evaporate & cold starting performance may be affected.

 

[Wack61]

Fresh petrol and an italian tune up

I left my 4200 over winter in the garage , it ran like a pig to the petrol station. filled it up , took it down the dual carriageway and it ran fine after that.

 

[safrane]

Be careful with your aux drive belts after such a long lay up.

 

[davy83]

hunting badly sounds like throttle body. Its prone to being a bit sticky after a layup, i think the magnetic core of the actuator starts rusting up and it catches the body and so it is not smooth and jumps about. Try removing the air hoses and coupling pipe off the front of the TB, and just try moving the butterfly with your fingers (car off clearly) and see if it feels free to move? the springs should make it return to the idles stop quite easily. 18 months is a long time for a 3200 these cars need driven. The suspension will likely also be sticky as well as the brakes. The good news is that driving it will sort out all of this!!! . the code light is some thing else and as has been said related to the keys and the immobiliser. You should try to get the kit to read the ECU errors as this is a huge benefit with these cars.

 

[Duncanofengland]

Thanks for your help

The throttle flap returns quickly when opened manually, but it doesn't cycle when the ignition is turned on.

I carried out a throttle reset procedure as detailed in another thread.

The engine started easily and idled without hunting, but the throttle response is minimal.

If I open the throttle slightly with a small screwdriver, then the revs increase above that which I can achieve with the throttle pedal.

The check engine light comes on after a few seconds of idling.

It's getting better, but not it's not right yet.

Any more ideas?

Thanks once again,

Duncan

 

[allandwf]

Have you cleared the codes yet? Sounds like they are still stored.

 

[Oneball]

Maybe there’s no signal getting to the throttle body, have you tried unplugging the electrical connector and giving it a clean.

 

[Contigo]

Disconnect pedal pot too and give that a clean at the pedal end. Measure the voltages on the white and yellow wires.

 

[conaero]

Just do a throttle reset then an Italian tune up.

Its something like

Ignition to MAR

press the pedal all the way down and hold for 2 mins then release

Turn on off

turn on without pressing the throttle and leave idling for 5 mins.

Its something like that you will have to search the exact procedure, its been a while since Ive done one.

 

[rs48635]

And check your battery. The 3200 must have fully charged battery in good condition. My own car takes more than 24 hours to fully charge using CTEK 5.0

 

[davy83]

sadly that throttle reset is upside down Conaero dude. procedure is car in nuetral, ignition on, leave pedal at idle position for 2 minutes at least add a few seconds to be sure, ignition off again. Then same start car in neutral, ignition on and hold full throttle for 10 seconds at least then ignition off. Ideally you sohuld clear any stored error codes before starting the car.
However it would be worth checking the voltage on the white and yellow wires with the ignition on and engine off, they should be within 0.35v and 0.65v and they need to be within 0.015v of each other. If thats ok then the reset procedure should help.
I would check the condition of the pins and sockets on the white connector on the pedal sensor. The sockets are on the car side and these have been known to corrode.

 

[Duncanofengland]

Thanks for your help.

All the connections look good and there is at least some response caused by the throttle pedal. But the throttle body flap refuses to move.

I'll test the voltages later today and perform a throttle reset.

Does anyone know where I can get a download of the 3200 wiring schematic?

Thanks again.

Duncan

 

[davy83]

The schematic for the pedal sensor is not super helpful. there are 6 wires, two of them should have 5v DC on them, two of them are 0v or car body/earth. The other two are the white and yellow wires which are the two signal wires. These all go directly to the ECU which is located behind the carpets on the side bulkhaed above the pedal itself. Hope this helps.

 

[Contigo]

You can as a test wire the two pedal circuits together (splice white and yellow wires) and it will take an average value.

 

[Duncanofengland]

Thank you

The voltages at rest at the accelerator pedal are are yellow - 0.36V, white - 0.36V. Yellow wire reads 2.75V at full throttle.

 

[CatmanV2]

Thank you

The voltages at the accelerator pedal are are yellow - 0.36V, white - 0.36V. Yellow wire reads 2.75V at full throttle.

What does the white read at full throttle?

C