320 has developed a stutter

[Tom202]

Is there something i might be doing to the sensors to kill them then Brian, as i have replaced this sensor twice now? Could it be something in the ecu damaging the sensor?

[Tom202]

And i just went and checked, once the car stops running, the fuel pump does not run, so the plugs don't get that wet, but this is probably because there is no spark, therefore the pump isn't pumping ?

[eltel]

new cps

[Tom202]

Well i changed the CPS and the ECU for good measure, and all was well for a couple of days, but its just started stuttering again!
Does anyone have any idea why my car seems to be eating CPS?

[eltel]

when you remove the old sensors are there definately no signs of chaffing on any part of the cable??

the obvious suggestion is that they keep catching on a pully on burning on the manifold.

hard to believe you could get 3 or 4 dodgy sensors!!

[Tom202]

Nope, no marking at all on the cables, definitely not melting, and definitely not getting caught on a pully. This has really got me stumped

[eltel]

me three!!

[Tom202]

Brian, i keep forgetting to look at the rev counter whenever the car stutters, i am always far too busy panicking and hoping that the car doesn't completely pack up again. Once i manage to remember to watch the rev counter, could you tell me what this will indicate please?

[Brianmoooore]

It will help indicate whether the fault is electrical or other.

[Tom202]

Ok thank you Brian. I am still waiting for the car to stutter significantly for me to get a look at the rev counter. I checked the coil a few days ago, and did not get the values recommended by the bentley manual. Could the coil be the source of a problem like this?

[eltel]

i would say it could be..if the circuit is breaking down under load or when warm as an intermittant fault then yes.

but don't count on it until you've checked it..like brian said with the bulb where you can see it while driving

but it doesn't really fit in with the failing cps to me

[Tom202]

Na, the cps thing has got me stuck. So now im just clutching at straws perhaps?

[Tom202]

Brian, the car had a little stutter earlier, and i looked at the rev counter, it doesn't do anything out of the ordinary, no dropping to 0. Where shall i go from here?

[Brianmoooore]

You can eliminate the ignition switch and wiring, DME relay and crank position sensor from suspects list.

[Tom202]

What do you think the next most likely culprit is then?

[Brianmoooore]

Distributor cap/rotor arm?

[Tom202]

Ok, will have a good look tomorrow in the light after work, thanks again for your help

[Tom202]

Right then Brian,
I have had the distributor cap off, and although the contacts are worn, i am not sure whether they are totally spent or not? Below is a picture

What do you think?
I checked the rotor arm resistance and that seemed to be fine, the contact on the rotor arm wasn't in too bad a shape.

What else could the problem be?

Thanks

[E30Gheko]

I maybe completely off the mark here, but if ur fuel pump was whining and knackered it could have been caused by rot from the inside of your tank. If that is finding it's way back to the fuel filter could it be causing these issues? I had to replace a tank for this reason and until I did my car stuttered, would cut out, fail to start etc.

Simple to check by having a look at the colour of the fuel inside the filter.

[popey7676]

i think i have the same problem, my 325 stutters under load, then when i switch her off she wont start, not even turning over, but she will bump start, then leave her for a few hours and she starts no problem