Car died, stranded 1000km from home, please help... Topic is solved

Post by **Fiodor** » 13 Aug 2019, 14:19

Hello everyone
Today my car died as I was driving "hard" in the mountains.
There was no specific sound made, but there was an awful smell and the lambda light came on.
I got a complete loss of power and when I stopped the car it idled erratically.
When I tried to start it it cranked but didn't start.

I'm stranded in the mountains (French Alpes-Maritimes) away from any good known mechanic.

Thanks for your help.

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 13 Aug 2019, 16:03

Fiodor wrote: 13 Aug 2019, 14:19 Hello everyone
Today my car died as I was driving "hard" in the mountains.
There was no specific sound made, but there was an awful smell and the lambda light came on.
I got a complete loss of power and when I stopped the car it idled erratically.
When I tried to start it it cranked but didn't start.

I'm stranded in the mountains away from any good known mechanic.

Thanks for your help.

Where are you stranded ?

Post by **Fiodor** » 13 Aug 2019, 16:07

In France in the Alps (in a village called Sigale), approximately one hour from Nice.

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 13 Aug 2019, 16:14

I'm on the wrong continent sorry ,you might have to wait for the day shift to clock in. Maybe put your location in the thread title so it jumps out at forum browsers

Post by **misha** » 14 Aug 2019, 04:19

Try to disconnect the maf sensor connector and see if it will run.
Other than that could be that hose from turbo popped off.
Is coolant level ok?

Post by **Fiodor** » 14 Aug 2019, 06:10

Coolant OK
Oil OK
Disconnecting the MAF didn't change anything yesterday.

The car now starts but idles roughly and shakes a lot.

I've checked the TB and it's fine, how could I tell if the belt slipped ?

Edit: the lambda light comes on too

Post by **jvl** » 14 Aug 2019, 07:01

Maybe ignition or fouled plugs?
I once experienced this on my 2000 (electronic ignition, no rotor like the '97) and the misfiring also led to a code related to the lamda sensor.

Are all plugs, cords, rotor and cap OK? Did the no start situation happen during rain?

Post by **Fiodor** » 14 Aug 2019, 09:10

Everything ignition related (except the coil) was replaced with OEM parts 3000km ago.

The car miraculously started working perfectly fine after giving me a P0270 (injector circuit low) on cylinder 4 (the plug was a bit moist).
I cleared the code and it didn't come back!

I'm thinking that the mountain sways at 60mph + the ethanol in my reservoir (I'm driving E85) detached some scrap from the reservoir walls which eventually ended in the fuel filter/pump/injector (which would explain the lack of pressure in the fuel rail).

Thanks for the help, I love this forum and its inhabitants

Post by **abscate** » 14 Aug 2019, 10:29

Its good you broke down in a Nice Neighborhood.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 14 Aug 2019, 16:16

Glad you're back up and running!

abscate wrote: 14 Aug 2019, 10:29 Its good you broke down in a Nice Neighborhood.