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MG MGF Technical - Unexpected engine cut out

Whilst my wife was driving her F yesterday, the engine cut out unexpectedly several times. Speedo and rev counter needles were at zero, and there were no lights on the dash. The engine restarted ok using the ignition key. I've not experienced the problem, but as I only get to drive it to the local Sainsbury's to fill it with petrol, that's not surprising. As this is not the first time this has happened, I've booked the car into my local dealer to check out. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what was the cause and how was it fixed?
David Dewick

Yes, several people have reported the problem - but I've not seen any fixes reported (other than selling the car :-( )
I would look to the ignition/steering lock (do you have lots of keys on the same ring?) and to the main ignition relay - it certainly sounds like ignition is turning off.

Steve
Steve

I had the same problem twice over the last 3 month. Some one suggested to clean/replace the "ignition coil" (bebelfish translation for the german word "Zündspule".

Dealer could not find anything, so I left it, next time it happens I will have replace/clean the "ignition coil", to give it a try.
Thierry

Addendum: That someone had it replaced and the problem was gone.
Thierry

Might be the engine cut out switch which activates in the event of an accident. A friend had a similar problem but wasnt an MGF.
Did the problem occur when going over any nasty unrepaired pot holes etc?
R Baker

Selling the car is an option - it's due for replacement around March/April when the finance deal expires. TF160 beckoning if there's a Rover deal going for suppliers :-)) Shame there's no Nightfire Red on the list of colours tho'.

There's only the ignition key and blipper on the keyring, and the roads were (for Birmingham) smooth - A456 Hagley Road, which has just been re-surfaced.

P.S. Anyone interested in a private sale, details are on the DriveArchive web site.
David Dewick

Stating the obvious...

How tight are the leads on the battery?

I ask because, many moons ago i fitted some driving lamps to a previous car but forgot to tighten up the cables on the battery electrodes. For weeks afterwards it kept cutting out and, being very young and clueless (no change there then!) It took ages for the penny to drop! D'OH! (_8(I)

Anyway, maybe during a service or something, your dealership disconnected the battery...

Worth a look anyway. :-)

SF
Scarlet Fever

I'm sure when it happened to me it had something to do with my knee pushing on the key or against the key ring thingey...only another suggestion............good luck with this one
malcolm

>leads on battery

or other power leads at the alternator etc sound reasonable.
Special when the car got "serviced" or brand new from factory recently.

Dump mechanics are not uncommon.
Dieter K.

My car did it once, strange enough when, just as in your case, David, my wife was driving it on the highway...

Dealer later explained it as a kind of a failure in a contact somewhere, it never happened again (touch wood!).
dirk

Happened again yesterday. My wife thought she might be knocking the key with her knee and accidentally turning off the ignition, so she was extra careful and the problem re-occurred anyway. I tried ro re-create it by rattling the leather key fob and blipper fairly vigorously, but didn't succeed.

In the meantime, thanks for all your suggestions: I'll check them out over the weekend.
David Dewick

This thread was discussed between 08/01/2003 and 10/01/2003

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