NI_Mitts

... driving along fine, then all of a sudden just cuts out. I could go for 3 or 4 days with no probs, but then she starts playing up. I was wonderering if it may be fuel related.

On an odd occasion, on start-up, I get the petrol warning symbol, although the car is half filled with fuel.

I have just returned from sitting in a supermarket carpack for 45 mins. trying to start the car. After 30 mins, on an of-chance I went and got some petrol. When I returned to the car, before putting the petrol in, I tried again and she started straight away. I proceeded to put the petrol in that I had bought. When I removed the fuel cap, an excessive amount of gas came out. Could this be related to my problem?

I get no other management indications of problems, and the car has been to two local garages, who both reported finding no problems.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ian

eR-quattro? (rob)

and not to the amount of fuel in the car either, but potentially a this is fuel related problem in the sense that it could be a malfunctioning fuel pump relay - or possibly a bad main relay if the C4 cars have one - i'm a bit rusty. i would start with those two possibilities and then move forward. is this a more common occurance when the car is at full operating temperature or cold? (or neither).

ps... the low fuel warning light coming on at its own whim is fairly common - 2 of my 3 C4 cars have occasionally done that with no further failure or increased frequency as time passed. annoying but insignificant. r.

4Driver4

My first guess would be the fuel pump, and I still think it's the most likely cause, but the low fuel light throws a curve. I would also check the wiring at the plug on top of the fuel tank, and the wiring inside the tank.

stevie_bc

In a previous post I mentioned that when this happened to me last time, my aircraft-mechanic passenger deduced that the impeller in the fuel pump was stuck as they sometimes get, so we took the back seat out and he banged on the fuel tank a few times, boom it started. We also just made sure all the ECU connections were right since it's right back there anyway. No problems since.

A good test - when starting the car, turn the key on but do not start. You should hear a "whirr" and a "ping" as the fuel pump starts up and does a purge.