What's wrong with my rover 214i

[turquoise]

Hiya,

I have this problem with my car. I drive a rover 214i 1.4L. During December I was driving along the A1 and my car started slowing down, i thought i wasn't in gear and changed it but it wasn't that, and then i tried to accelerate but it wouldn't go so i had to move onto the side. so basicaly it just stopped 'functioning'. it just wouldn't start when i tried to start it, no sound nothing, it had petrol and everything. The car was then towed to the garage. The mechanics couldn't find anything wrong with it. They said when they towed it back and started up the car, it started up. then last week i wanted to use my car and try to start the car but it just wouldn't start again, no sound at all. The car is then towed again and the mechanics couldn't find anything wrong with it and then it works. Does anyone know what's wrong with it. It has happened to me 3 times now. Thanks! p.s i'll be soon getting a new car. Thanks in advance!! xxx

[dosset]

I had a similar problem many years ago with a nissan,it would just cut out mid flow and the AA never found any fault. Car would eventually restart, until the one day that it wouldn't and the garage found a loose connection in the engine management system (which in this case was housed under the passenger seat)sounds like you have a similar problem but with cars you never know

[Jay70]

Hi Turquoise,  My Mum had a Rover 214GSI Kreg which used to intermittently cut out.  This would often happen when pulling out of road jusnctions etc and was becomeing dangerous.  It was also taken into Rover who couldn't emulate the problem as it was so intermittent.  They just plug it in to a diagnostic machine which of course can only detect a fault if it occuring at the time its plugged in.  They then don't bother investigating any further as they probably have to have the a machine to tell them to do this and charge you for the privillage.  The car would be ok for a week or so and would then do it again.  If you left the car for about 5 mins it would be ok again.  My mum did find if she took the key out and actually turned it over it would start.  This worked for a while but it eventually got worse and worse.  I think it was some sort of imobiliser/ ignition wiring fault.  The car was old and the cost of getting someone to sort it (if you can find someone that is) would be more than the car was worth.  It had done 150k trouble free mind so it done her well.  Try a flip the key next time as my Mum was convinced it worked but still be carefull driving it as it nearly caused her to have an accident several times.  Would be good to know how you get on.  Good luck Jase

[turquoise]

Aww thanks guys, i'll let you know what happenes. At the moments its running well and hopefully it would do it again. The mechanic also said it could be something to do with the alarm/immoboliser, apperently something about the battery on the key alarm remote maybe it might need changing. But i hope it won't happen again until i get another car, sometimes when i drive i get kinda scared just in case it might just happen again. Thanks for wishing me luck Jay, next time if it happens (please god i hope it won't), i'll turn the key over and i'll let you know if it worked. :) xxx

[KebabMeister]

I used to work on Rovers.  Does it misfire when it's slowing down or is it a steady loss of power?  I know that the 214 had problems with the rotor arm!  Sweet and simple!  The resistor would intermittantly break and cause misfires, but not severe ones but enough to cause a slow in speed.  They're pretty cheap and beside, if it doesn't cure it then it will 'cure' a future problem with Rovers!

[turquoise]

Hi,

 It was steady loss of power when i'm on the road. And  when i want to use the car and it's park at my house, it just wouldn't start at all, no noise, no sound. I turn the key and nothing happens. Thinking the steering wheel could be locked i move the the wheel and it's not that. It's just so weird.

[KevBrm]

my ex had similar problem and it was all caused by a broken earth cable. that was a 414si on a j plate.