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[454_1.1_55_2004]

Does anyone knows the specs for earth leads? (Amps and diameter)

[the_wirewalker]

No idea mate...I just ordered these -> https://www.smartmods.co.uk/shop/product/earth-lead-kit/?attribute_pa_model=454&attribute_pa_disconnectable=without-discon .

[454_1.1_55_2004]

Silly me.....
All I have to do, to get those answers, is to measure the existing cable in diameter and check the specs of the battery (especially the starting power).....

[454_1.1_55_2004]

DIY earth leads: if you have all the tools and all the right pieces, removing old ones and fixing in place new ones - 15-20 minutes (25mm diamm. welding cable, 4 circular connectors, one minus terminal)
Cost: 10 pounds.
Result: better engine sound (haven't went for a test drive, yet - more details, if necessary, after a long drive)

[the_wirewalker]

Just updated the earth leads...unfortunately no change at all. The car still decreases rpm when using hazards at idle...
I have already:

• Changed the battery
• Changed the alternator
• Changed the earth leads
• Changed the alternator belt

Is there any other earth leads that could I check?
I can see the rpm drops nearly whenever I use electrics, from headlights and hazards to back window defrost. The rpms drop instantly and then come back and at the same time I can see the voltage drooping too. Moreover, whenever I start the car, I get 14.4 voltage, after the engine is warm, I get 13.9, is that normal? When I use electrics, it can drop instantly to 12.8 volts.
Any ideas?

[454_1.1_55_2004]

Now you've made me EXTREMELY CURIOUS about this situation.
I'm eager to know CAUSE and FIX.

So keep us updated!

Thanks!

[CrazyG]

I've had a re-read of all your posts....and I have my idea on the problem...
B U T... I thought I would chat to Rob at S2smarts and pass it by him for
his opinion to see if his thoughts matched mine.

Both our thoughts matched....

In our 'opinions'....
If the battery that you have is the same one that was in the car when you
recorded 15.1v at various times with the old alternator, then there is a
very strong chance that the battery is damaged (or as Bari87 said..'fried')
and it is no longer operating as it should.
HOWEVER...
If you replaced the old battery with a new/different one AND also fitted the
replacement alternator, then the voltage regulator in the replacement alternator
is not operating correctly....just like the old alternator.

(Hopefully you did not swap batteries and run the car with the old alternator as
 that could be damaged.)
If you do need to change the alternator..again...then fit a new one.
Do not 'overspend' and buy a new Smart one..there are others available online.

[the_wirewalker]

To be honest...I have logged the 15.1 volts with Torque + Bluetooth ELM327, which generally seems to get very erratic readings. All readings, from throttle position (erratic at idle, although i do not press the pedal) and volts to O2 sensors show really peculiar behavior, so I am starting to believe that the problem is with the ELM327 connection with the car (since i have already used this device in 2-3 other cars and it is working fine) and the 15.1 volts are not a true value. I have bought a lighter-usb changer with a voltometer and when i start the car i get 14.3-14.4 volts. As the car warms up, it slowly decreases to 14.1~13.9 which is the lowest value i have seen with no electrics being used (is this behavior normal?). Good thing is that apart from those erratic rpm changes, the car has no issues at all, it revs really freely and pulls very hard, even with 3-4 people inside. No-one believes it is a 1.1!

[the_wirewalker]

I have read in some forums that this is sometimes an issue of the throttle valve. Most people suggest cleaning the throttle valve, which i have already (it was pretty clean anyhow). But we know that both the smart and colt had issues with the throttle valves, could that be the problem? Had anyone changed the throttle valve?

[CrazyG]

It's not just the throttle valve (TVA) that has to be cleaned....
what about the MAF sensor in the TVA itself?

All of that is covered in a couple of threads/topics that are in the
454 Engine & Exhaust Technical Guides which are in the Child Board
sub section of category - Engine & Exhaust.

Have a look on page 2  :- 5 Minute Quickey TVA Cleaning
and page 3  :- Cleaning the Throttle Valve Actuator (TVA)

[the_wirewalker]

I have already cleaned the TVA, changed the MAF with a new one and did the TVA calibration about a month ago. No luck...
Anyhow...we will see...

[454_1.1_55_2004]

Have you sort it out?

[cecil]

Are you absolutely sure there is no airleak after the MAP sensor?
 Good luck with this.

[CrazyG]

the_wirewalker on the 14th June you said...

..... Most people suggest cleaning the throttle valve, which i have already (it was pretty clean anyhow)....

and you then finish with...

.....Had anyone changed the throttle valve?

So...when you cleaned the TVA, did you remove it and give it a really ggod clean ?
Did you clean both sides of the butterfly valve...and the inlet manifold side of it
after the butterfly ?
AND.....if you did remove the TVA, did you replace/refit the green rubber gasket
correctly ?

I'm asking so that we can 'tick off' each event and help narrow down all of the
various possibilities/probabilities....a process of elimination, ok. Only by asking
and getting answers can we hope to sort out what might be causing the issue
that you have.
TVA's rarely go wrong...that is not to say  they never go wrong, ok.
Usually it a build up of gungey oily dirty in both sides of the venturi and on the
buttterfly valve of the TVA, or a faulty or dirty MAF.  Sometimes the TVA will need
to be reset/re-callibrating (as detailed in one of the posts in another thread),
or the wiring loom of the plug not connected correctly or not connected at all.
Or has the plug (or the wiring) to the MAF been damaged ?
The internal electricals of the TVA are seldom an issue, but again...it just might
be that it needs a thorough strip down and clean/regrease..but it's rare.

Note:- I've not heard of anyone having a problem with the 'stepper' motor
           that operates the butterfly in all my years of running this Forum.

[the_wirewalker]

No guys, I have not found a solution with this issue yet...
To be honest, I have not removed the TVA altogether. I just undone the bolts and gave the butterfly valve a good clean from both sides (was bored to remove the coolant pipes, this is why I did not remove it) and it was pretty clean, minor dirt. To be honest, next weekend, when I have time, I was planning to do this:
https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/forfour-throttle-body-clean.htm
But now that you say, I shall try cleaning it once more...
The major question I have is that I thought it was an electric issue, can this be a mechanical one?