Having just sorted out, we think, issues with the turbo now the engine idles for about 20 seconds before the motor dies. There's no disruption to the interior lights just the motor dies. Anyone have similar problem? It's our only vehicle so we really need to get it running again.

 

does the tachometer drop to zero just before or after the motor dies?

does it start right up after this?

what is this about 'issues with the turbo' ?

 

[QUOTE=pierce;368675]does the tachometer drop to zero just before or after the motor dies?

does it start right up after this?

Yes and yes. My husband says the motor will run as long as he keeps the revs up but as soon as he lets it idle it cuts out.

"what is this about 'issues with the turbo' ?"

We seemed to have some plumbing issues which you helped us identify and we thought sorted out. It's since my husband did that work that this motor trouble has started. We love this car but it seems pretty finicky.

 

well, it *is* a 25 year old car. if this new thing started after fixing the air plumbing, my guess is some wiring got disturbed. I'd check the idle switch on the throttle body, the idle air controller under the intake manifold, the hall sensor on the distributor, the MAF/AMM connector...

I assume when you say it stalls after 20 seconds, thats after a cold start? or is it also 20 seconds after a hot restart ?

 

"the MAF/AMM connector..." What is this?

"I assume when you say it stalls after 20 seconds, thats after a cold start? or is it also 20 seconds after a hot restart ?"

Yes both.

Thank you so much for all your advice. My husband is going back under the hood in the morning. She's a vintage for sure

 

the MAF aka AMM is the Mass Air Flow meter aka Airflow Mass Meter. this is the device on the air pipe between the air filter box and the turbo, it has a good size electrical connector on the side. it measures how much air is going through it, which tells the fuel injection computer (known as the ECU) how much fuel to squirt into the engine.