very strange engine problem

[stevesports]

hey guys, my car experienced a very strange engine problem last night. After being parked for 2 hours at lygon st, i went to start the car. I turned fine and started fine, but it would die after 1 or 2 seconds. That is, it up turn on, and then die straightaway, not even settling down to idle. I thought it might've been an idle problem so i tried to regulate the throttle using my feet but still no good. I tried starting it a few times and still the same problem. So i opened the bonnet and wiggled a few of the hoses, etc, after which i started the car with the bonnet open and it started fine. Anyone know what the problem is?

[Garry]

How is the wiring to the air flow meter? If it's unplugged it will do something similar. Been there done that

[stevesports]

well, i didn't wriggle the AFM wiring.
if you look at this picture for reference


i wriggled the wiring/tubes that is connected to the left camshaft area, as well as the wiring/tubing that is connected to that dark brown tube connected to teh left camshaft cover.

[manga_blue]

AFM (actually MAF) plug is the one that goes into the black box over on the passenger side near the front, with the blue dot on it in your photo.

Good suggestion though Garry. That's exactly how they behave when that plug is out.

[manga_blue]

AFM (actually MAF) plug is the one that goes into the black box over on the passenger side near the front, with the blue dot on it in your photo.

Good suggestion though Garry. That's exactly how they behave when that plug is out.

[Fatty]

sounds like an intermittent wiring connection.

i think irwin had a similar problem , i think it was his cam angle sensor harness or wiring. is that anywhere near the wires you wiggled to get it running again?

[stevesports]

i have no idea. I wriggled a few wires or sensors near the mid-left of the engine bay and it worked. I drove it all the way to apollo bay and back today and nothing went wrong,

[clubman1]

Another problem with the exact same symptoms is when the transponder in the NB's key gets a bit iffy. Usually starts off as an intermittent problem and then becomes more regular. If it happens again look immediately at the red light icon in the top right hand corner of the instrument panel. It will glow solid red for a second when you crank the engine before it fires. If it comes up with a black key profile in the middle of it ...the transponder in the key is not being recognised.

[marcusus]

Another problem with the exact same symptoms is when the transponder in the NB's key gets a bit iffy. Usually starts off as an intermittent problem and then becomes more regular. If it happens again look immediately at the red light icon in the top right hand corner of the instrument panel. It will glow solid red for a second when you crank the engine before it fires. If it comes up with a black key profile in the middle of it ...the transponder in the key is not being recognised.

Was about to suggest this as a possible cause too. I got some keys cut for my car to keep at home in case I lock my real keys in the car somehow. I tried starting the car for fun using the cut keys that don't have the immobiliser chip in them, and the car exhibits similar symptoms to what you've described. Car turns over fine and starts up, revs to its usual 'startup' range (about 1500 rpm in my NB8A), but promptly dies.