OK - last 3 weeks, my car seems to be cutting out at random moments. It has happened 4 times (the last time was this morning). There is no pattern to speed/time/conditions but what happens is the engine cuts out. I pull over, all electrics still working, try to tick the car over and it stalls. Try again, it stalls. I have to disconnect the battery and recoonnect to get it going again and then its fine. It's almost as if the imobiliser is shorting out and being activated.

Thoughts before I take it into the dealer?

sounds like fuel starvation to me.

I would say something to do with the fuel thingy aswell, maybe the fuel filter?????

does the IS have an electric fuel pump?? COuld be that?

i agree too on the fuel bit

Does the engine check light come on?

Just came accross this while on just checking a few car sites

[quote]strangest thing started happeninng to my car, it wouldnt idle correctly..it would go all the way down to 250rpm and the car would ***** and stuff... if I dun place my foot on the gas to keep it at 750+ rpm during and my other foot on brake during stop lights for example, then the engine would shut off. I got home finally just 10 mins ago, and open up the hood, guess what, the air intake pipe (its a PLP) came loose[/quote]

Have you checked to see if your Induction is properly connected?
as it may have come a little loose while you've been road testing the SuperCharger

i dont think its fuel i think its ignition as if its fuel the car would peter out and not just stall, but if its spark related then it will just cut out, i think it could be the ignitor pack or coil this this can be temp related worse when its cold and damp, you need to get it checked however if the fault is ht side there is no fault code for this you will need tech info to check above items.

hope this helps.

I don't think it will be an ignitor/coil pack as the engine has 6 of these and should run on 5 cylinders if one fails.

I also don't think it's the intake, although worth checking. If the air flow meter is in the intake then yes the engine will not know how much air is going into the engine and will cause a problem. However the IS200 does not have a MAF sensor it uses a MAP sensor which is after the throttle body.

It may be a sensor fault, if a major sensor is lost the ECU will shut down the engine. The engine check light will come on and the fault code stored.

If it is fuel starvation then the engine temp will rise as it is running lean so check to see if the gauge to see if it is higher than normal.

Fuel pump relay??

Had this on a VW.
It would work intermittently. Sometimes it was fine, other times it would stall or just would'nt start.

Took me weeks to figure it out.

[quote name='KSP' date='Dec 11 2003, 01:08 PM']Fuel pump relay??

Had this on a VW.
It would work intermittently. Sometimes it was fine, other times it would stall or just would'nt start.

Took me weeks to figure it out.[/quote]
That would've been my guess too

Think its knackered Zee,time to strip it down and sell some bits

Seriously though hope you get it sorted soon mate.

Hi guys. Believe it or not, I have exactly.. I mean exactly the same problem. I also have a TTE compressor fitted. It started 4 weeks ago. Firstly when I stopped the engine, it wouldnt start again. it would fire then die, fire then die. Then 2 weeks ago it cut whilst driving twice. the engine just dies and coasts to a stop!

Same symptoms, it will fire and die, then it wont fire at all. After a few minutes it fires normally and off we go!! its been at Lexus for ages and they cant find anything wrong with it, but it has died while in their care a few times. No codes comes up when the ECU is tested.

I thought it was fuel, maybe pump or something, We dont think it is the piggyback ECU used, but Im open to suggestions!

Their at a loss, I'm at a loss!! Help is needed! for sure!!??

If engine still turns but doesn't start then battery is OK So it's gotta be fuel or spark / timing. Easiest to check is spark, pull aplug hold it with a pair of pliers against something metal that earths & still with lead connected ..... get somebody to spin the engine, if the plug sparks it's the fuel. Likely source is pump sticking. Or what about an air-lock in the tank ........ remove filler cap & spin ....

Mine hestitates fro time to time...but never stops completly.

Could it be the ECU amendment made for the s/c ?

[quote name='TonyGoose' date='Dec 11 2003, 01:36 PM'][quote name='KSP' date='Dec 11 2003, 01:08 PM'] Fuel pump relay??

Had this on a VW.
It would work intermittently. Sometimes it was fine, other times it would stall or just would'nt start.

Took me weeks to figure it out.[/quote]
That would've been my guess too [/quote]
Have to agree...I had the same problem with a cavalier

Thanks for all your comments chaps - appreciate it.

Firstly, I would rule out fueling - the car runs absolutely fine when it's running, and when it cuts, the engine just dies - doesn't stutter, nothing - just cuts out.

Secondly, Dave - re: the tte piggy-back ecu, there are many of us with the old one, and i think the new one just managed the rev limiter better.

Thirdly, the sparkplug thingy. Could be this. Before JAE, when I was polishing my block, I removed all the plugs. I had an issue with re-fitting the second plug (counting from the front). Maybe a moisture issue? Colin - you say it should still run on 5 though? Your thoughts on this?

Finally - IS200MCD - I think we need to talk if you have exactly the same issue. Could you PM or email me please - I would love to discuss this further. Between us, we'll find the root cause...

Thanks again for your help fellas,

Zee.

Yes it should run with one cylinder down.

Even a 4-cylinder will run - just not well
[url="http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=68&t=9777&hl="]http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...f=68&t=9777&hl=[/url]

[quote name='Zee007' date='Dec 11 2003, 07:24 PM']Firstly, I would rule out fueling - the car runs absolutely fine when it's running, and when it cuts, the engine just dies - doesn't stutter, nothing - just cuts out.[/quote]
Same as my old cavalier... I used to take the relay out and sort of tap it (hard!)

Still think it's the fuel relay zee

See what happens when you supercharge your is200`s, instead of getting an Altezza!!!!!

People are TOO sceptical about imports...

seriously, hope you sort it out Zee, without costing much as well....

Fingers crossed

Ok then - just one other straw outta the box ....

Have you guys decatted your front pipes yet ??
If not, i'd strongly suggest doing so. They could be blocking the exhaust

Not entirely sure that would cause this problem but worth a look

This is worrying for me, as im hoping to have the TTE SC fitted sometimes around Jan next year, hope this is not a common problem of the SC kit, as this is the first time i seen you guys mention about the problem..

btw I hope you get it sorted out soon Zee and IS200 MCD...

Mine is all original apart from the S/C. I haven't had a de-cat done yet.

I don't know too much about cars (a true automobile muppet ) so i may be way out here but this sounds a bit like a problem our lass had with her corsa about 12 months ago.

She would be driving along and the engine would just cut out. Engine management light would come on, and if she put hazards on, all power also drained in about 5 mins.

The AA couldn't find anything wrong, neither could the AA service centre, who i'm sure though we were taking the p***, until it cut out on them on a busy road!

It went in to the Vauxhall dealership, who ran diagnositics, and said it was the crankshaft sensor, and replaced it. About £150 all in i think.

Dunno if its likely to be this but i thought i'd add my two penneth worth of car knowledge!

[quote name='IS200 MCD' date='Dec 12 2003, 08:11 AM']Mine is all original apart from the S/C. I haven't had a de-cat done yet.[/quote]
Mine was also standard engine wise apart from s/c.
Also has later (silver box) sub-ecu which was supposed to help prevent meltdown.
Even so, pre-cat still broke up and partially blocked exhaust.
Now the bulgy bits where pre-cats were is just straight pipe - phew

Anyway, not sure that would cause the prob at hand.
My money's still on fuel relay or some bad connection (sub ecu perhaps ? )

There's a BIG box of straws out there - get clutching

Does the engine check light come on? (as Colin asked)

If it doesn't this rules out most of the engine sensors (as they are monitored).

Intermittant faults are the worst to find They never happen when you want them to

If you haven't done already try wriggling pipes / wires etc while the engine is running (careful not to get caught in belts etc!). Also try tapping components with the handle of a large screwdriver.

Any clues about when it happens :
going up/down hill
engine hot / cold
accelerating / slowing
been idling for a while
weather hot/cold, raining, foggy

Next time it happens (if you have time) try tapping fuse boxes, relays, engine components etc before disconnecting the battery.

I'm sure you'll get it sorted - let us know how it goes

Well - just to let you all know, the Zee Machine is back on the road!

A HUGE thank you to Friedel at TTE who sent me a free TTE Piggyback to replace mine, and after I did this, the problem has vanished. Seemed like a dodgy ECU.

Fantatstic service from Friedel and the boys in Germany, and very happy to have resolved the issue!

Thanks to all who offered their advise on this thread and via PM.

Zee.

Glad to hear it's sorted mate ...

And yes, Friedel and the crew are extremely helpful.
Some dealers over here would do well to learn from their example

[quote name='Zee007' date='Dec 11 2003, 07:24 PM']Thanks for all your comments chaps - appreciate it.

Firstly, I would rule out fueling - the car runs absolutely fine when it's running, and when it cuts, the engine just dies - doesn't stutter, nothing - just cuts out. 

Secondly, Dave - re: the tte piggy-back ecu, there are many of us with the old one, and i think the new one just managed the rev limiter better.

Thirdly, the sparkplug thingy.  Could be this.  Before JAE, when I was polishing my block, I removed all the plugs.  I had an issue with re-fitting the second plug (counting from the front).  Maybe a moisture issue?  Colin - you say it should still run on 5 though?  Your thoughts on this?

Finally - IS200MCD - I think we need to talk if you have exactly the same issue.  Could you PM or email me please - I would love to discuss this further.  Between us, we'll find the root cause...

Thanks again for your help fellas,

Zee.  [/quote]
I had the same problem when i turboed my IS... it's running fine, but when u stop at the traffic lights and go again it cuts off.

I put this down to 2 reasons.. the fuel pump and the way my aftermarket ECU works. At below 5% throttle, the standard ECU is in charge, after that the aftermarket ECU takes care of the fuel. Before i changed to aftermarket intank fuel pump the car kept on stalling. Maybe it was becoz the way the fuel lines were relayed and the pressure wasnt strong enough.

The problem went away after i spent some money on an intank fuel pump.

do i get a prize..................

Yep you go on the list for a free ECU from TTE [b]if[/b] yours develops the same symptoms(of course it wont)

Funilly enough one of our customers had a similar thing happen recently. I know Zee bought his kit second hand and had it fitted somewhere else, but we fitted this kit so were concerened even though it was outside warranty.

He couldn't bring the car here so we sent him a new one and haven't heard back yet so assume that it is ok now

Maybe TTE had a dodgy batch ?

Glad its sorted now,nothing worse than a sick motor.

[quote name='tdiplc' date='Dec 30 2003, 09:26 AM']Funilly enough one of our customers had a similar thing happen recently. I know Zee bought his kit second hand and had it fitted somewhere else, but we fitted this kit so were concerened even though it was outside warranty.

Maybe TTE had a dodgy batch ?[/quote]
I heard you were helping another member who had the same problem - we had been talking about potential causes...

Ultimately, I think you are correct in that the issue is faulty ECUs - and maybe a faulty a batch....

Glad it's all sorted Zee.

Sounds more like poor quality or poor design rather than a faulty batch. Haven't they redesigned it now?

[quote name='ColinBarber' date='Dec 30 2003, 10:49 AM']Sounds more like poor quality or poor design rather than a faulty batch. Haven't they redesigned it now?[/quote]
I'm sure someone knows the answer

My understanding is the later type was introduced to reduce the rev limit by a couple of hundred rpm top reduce EGT's to help prevent pre-cat failures.

new ecu ( silver) reduces the rpm from 6200 to 6000, so the engine never hits the rev limiter and as u said mark helps prevent pre cat failures

Great to hear the car is now back on the road Zee.....

Good news Zee, I'll let Mick know as he was the one who confirmed it was the ECU
He'll be pleased

[quote name='Chris Shipley' date='Dec 30 2003, 01:57 PM']Good news Zee, I'll let Mick know as he was the one who confirmed it was the ECU
He'll be pleased[/quote]
Indeed he will - can you let me know what date in January he will be fitting my thingys please Chris.....

Of course

[quote name='fluff34567' date='Dec 30 2003, 11:37 AM']new ecu ( silver) reduces the rpm from 6200 to 6000, so the engine never hits the rev limiter and as u said mark helps prevent pre cat failures[/quote]
If it reduces the rpm from 6200 to 6000, will it not hit the rev limiter sooner ?
Mine has the black ecu so it revs to 6200. the pre-cats have been removed anyway so it shouldn't cause any problems hopefully

no, the rev limiter is at 6200 at this point the engine cuts the ignition, the new silver ecu reduces the engine rpm to 6000 so it will never hit the rev limiter

[quote name='fluff34567' date='Dec 30 2003, 07:43 PM']no, the rev limiter is at 6200 at this point the engine cuts the ignition, the new silver ecu reduces the engine rpm to 6000 so it will never hit the rev limiter[/quote]
So what happens when you get to 6000 rpm ?

the engine just wont go past that point, so you dont reach the preset ignition cut off and thus prevent the unburnt fuel going into the exhaust and killing the pre cats

Nice one Zee, glad your baby is well again!!! How is the other guy going on with his?

Not good news to anyone, when a fellow LOC member gets a poorly sick car