car dies

[Andy24601]

So - on my way home from Luton Airport (spent the week in Skiathos - thoroughly recommend). Whilst diving home there is a 'stumbling' from the car which gets progressively worse - it feels like the car is giving up as every time I try and accelerate the car just dies. We manage to 'coast' across three lanes of traffic and then the car dies. Start the car again and the ABS light comes on - any attempt to accelerate cause the engine to die. By randomly shifting gear and praying to the Gods of Rover we manage to make it home at 50 mile an hour maximum.
So - this might be an automatic gearbox problem - solenoid or control unit. It could be an ABS problem.
Any ideas?

[gnu]

Have you considered early stages of fuel filter syndrome, or poor fuel delivery due to bad pump or clogged filter? Is the car diesel or petrol?

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by gnu

Have you considered early stages of fuel filter syndrome, or poor fuel delivery due to bad pump or clogged filter? Is the car diesel or petrol?

It's in Andy's info.--2.5 V6

[Mike Noc]

Great place Skiathos - had some very nice holidays there. Only problem is the runway is only a couple of feet longer than it is wide!

[Andy24601]

Sorry - I should have said that when the car cut out completely the ABS light came on (and stayed on). It would be great if it was a fuel filter problem and I shall investigate further tomorrow - the car did seem happier when I tried 'rowing' it through the gears. TBH, having spent so much money on the beast (where have you heard that before?) I am running out of patience (and cash). Maybe it's time for a parting of the ways

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

Great place Skiathos - had some very nice holidays there. Only problem is the runway is only a couple of feet longer than it is wide!

30 years since I was there, hope they've improved the sewers in the town... they used to have to cover the manholes with carpet, and regularly spray them with water to try and effect a seal. The smell could still be pretty bad though.


Nice place, as you say, though




Andy - have you tried diagnosing using TOAF?

[Fred Byrne]

See my post above. Check the tightness of that earth lead from the negative battery terminal.

Fred

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by Fred Byrne

See my post above. Check the tightness of that earth lead from the negative battery terminal.

Fred

Unlikely as the alternator would be running all the time.--

[Andy24601]

So I did a TOAF diagnostic - Left front ABS sensor fault. Sure enough, when I took off the wheel, the ABS wire had snapped off at the hub (I have no idea how this happened or why it happened at the same time as the car cutting out on the M25 - because 'Rover' I guess). Obviously had to drill out the old sensor but all is now well with the ABS system.
I checked the battery connections - the positive connector was loose and the negative one, whilst tight, was covered in gunk. I have now replaced them both and cleaned up all the earth-to-chassis points. Thank you so much for all the suggestions and help offered - I really appreciate it (some of you may have experienced the impending sense of doom when your pride and joy/endless source of torment stops working for no apparent reason.

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by Andy24601

some of you may have experienced the impending sense of doom when your pride and joy/endless source of torment stops working for no apparent reason.

Err yes.


Once or twice