Peugeot 207 - minor engine starting problem - Is my reasoning sound or not?

Howard

Howard

Howard

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Just thought I'd bounce my thoughts off a few people..

My girlfriend's 207 (with the old god-awful 1.4 8v 75bhp engine) has always had a bit of an issue where if you go to start it, it won't run unless you apply a bit of throttle when cranking.

It annoys her but the throttle workaround always works and once started, the car drives fine.

Today, after I'd finished fitting her new wing mirror, out of pure curiosity I tried unplugging a couple of sensors in the engine bay to see if either of them made a difference to how it started and ran. O2 sensor = no difference. MAP sensor, however, when unplugged, caused the car to start perfectly. I didn't drive it but it started and idled absolutely fine. I turned it off and on a few times and it was perfect. I then plugged the sensor back in and it was back to its usual tricks.

A new MAP sensor is £13. Is this the likely cause? I'm happy to give it a go for the sake of £13 unless someone more learned than me says it's not going to do bugger all and it's a coincidence or there's a technical reason that doesn't affect starting.. Or whatever.


Thanks!
 
Definitely when it's warm it won't start without a bit of throttle. As far as I know it's the same when it's cold too, maybe a bit less severe. Although I'll have to check to be 100%.

Edit: It behaves in mostly the same manner when cold, so I'm told :)
 
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Obv what the car is doing when you unplug the MAP sensor is simply going into a known default setting.. Whether that means the MAP sensor is the item at fault is another matter.
If you have no further knowledge and can't be arsed to get it diagnosed with a code reader/ live data scanner then a £13 part is worth a punt.
 
Classic symptoms of a poorly MAP sensor, poor running, idling,etc.
Diagnostic scanner should give you a fault code.

Bulb might be blown, so that's why no engine management lights.

Basically when you unplug MAP sensor, car goes into limp home mode, as it thinks sensor has completely failed.
 
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I guess all you've really done is confirm that there is an issue on the intake side somewhere. A generic code reader may give a hint to avoid random part replacement, but tbh if it's only £13 I'd just change the thing and see what happens.
 
The EML does illuminate as part of the test sequence but doesn't remain on.

I think I'll replace the part, and if that doesn't cure it I'll buy a generic code reader and do some further digging!
 
Bit of a bump, as (unsurprisingly really) changing the MAP sensor hasn't really cured it. It's a bit better when cold, apparently, but that's it.

Does anyone have any idea what might be the issue / where to focus on?

The EML doesn't stay lit up so I don't know if it's got any fault codes stored - should I buy a £15 code reader on the off chance that it has?

It's the quite old (and quite horrid) TU3 1.4 8v 75bhp engine, used in the 206, 306 and 106 as well I think, so quite a common unit.
 
What kind of idle control does it use? Wonder if it could be a clogged/sticky valve.

Purely guesswork though - I'd probably strip the intake and have a look for splits etc, cleaning as you go. Reading the codes can't hurt either, even if the light doesn't stay on it should still store codes if there is an issue it detects
 
I'm not entirely sure but then there isn't a wealth of information on these cars / engines online :( I guess a little more stripping down is in order at some point.
 
Hi

Just wondering if you found a resolution to the problem

I had the same problem on 207 1.4 Petrol. Used throttle to start it for a week and after that it broke down. Eventually got it started but its misfiring without a throttle response so doesn't drive. No fault codes coming up. The Garage has changed the Coil pack, spark plugs and injectors but its still the same. The Garage is running out of ideas.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

cheers
 
Haven't had a chance to look at it and sort it yet unfortunately. Got a code reader but not had a chance I plug it in. Doesn't sound like our problem is as severe though; once running it runs absolutely fine. Will update if I find a resolution!
 
Howard said:
Haven't had a chance to look at it and sort it yet unfortunately. Got a code reader but not had a chance I plug it in. Doesn't sound like our problem is as severe though; once running it runs absolutely fine. Will update if I find a resolution!
Click to expand...

Hello mate. My girlfriend has the exact same engine in her 207 with the exact same problem. You have to rev it when you start it to stop it cutting out.
Did you ever manage to sort it out? Iv heard these engines are notorious for air leaks and they can be in a number of places and are difficult to find...

Hers is 10 years old now, she only got it last year tho and its really low miles and in lovely condition. Would be nice to get it sorted. I dont want to start replacing things trial and error in case it doesn't turn out to be anything I try, could get expensive.

Let me know if you got to the bottom of it. Cheers, mate.
 
Not completely, but I cleaned all the air intake gubbins liberally with carb cleaner which helped. It wasn't perfect but it would at least stumble to life without any throttle input. It is a truly awful engine though. I think it was its way of saying it just wanted to be left alone ;)

My girlfriend got rid of the car in 2014, much to my delight.
 
Hey I have the same model Peugeot 207 1.4 Petrol 53 kw 72 ch , engine KFV (TU3A) and I have the same problem. Can't start up without revving the engine. Then the car works just fine but it's frustrating. No error signal except with a scanner, it says error code P1676 which is about the alternator. i got the alternator changed but the problem remains!
 
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