Engine warning light, intermitent power issues, greatfull for any help.

Hi

Have recently bought myself a 2002 MG TF 160, which has been lots of fun but is starting to cause a few problems.

The orange engine warning light has come on a couple of times, taken to a garage and they have had a look and saw no major issues and cleared it and said come back if it comes on again. Over the last few weeks the light comes on every now and again and from the obd2 reader i have bought myself shows error code p1521.
I can clear the code and everything runs fine for a while but light comes on again after a few days driving.

When i start the car up in the morning it starts and runs ok, iddles at about 750 rpm as i understand its ment to, but after driving for a while it starts to idle higher at around or over 1000rpm and idles quite rough making a sort of wub wub wub noise, excuse my non technical language. When running like this it seems to take more throttle to get the thing moving off as usual, and have found that 2nd gear is reluctant at low revs to move but then seems to pick up at higher revs, its just inconsistent do drive overall. Today just as i got home from a 45min drive and pulled onto my drive the engine cut out, i could get it started again by giving it a decent amount of throttle while trying to start it but had to hold some revs on otherwise it would just fall and cut out again which made parking somewhat challenging.

I've read various things about how it could be that the vvc solenoids are incorrectly plugged in but the car revs beyond the 5000-6000rpm mark ok when running normally, the other thing i seem to read about is a dodgy cam sensor. Anybody got any ideas what could be going on?

On a side note the handbreak seems very weak and doesnt really hold the car on anything more than a slight hill, is there an easy way to adjust this.

Thanks for any help in advanced.

:welcome2:
That code usually refers to the vvc system. You need to check first that the electrical plugs are on correctly. The engine should rev to 7000.
If it only revs to 5500 the plugs are on the wrong way around.
If it revs to 6000 it could be the cam sensor.

This is why they often get mixed up, good old MGR logic
MEMS2J (200vi, BRM, MGF mk1) : From right to left, the connector colours are Brown, Black, Blue.

MEMS3 (25GTi, ZR160, mk2 F/TF) From right to left, the connector colours are Black, Brown, Blue.


The other problem could be the vvc belt is misaligned.
It's also vital that the correct type of oil is used. 10w 40 semi synthetic. Do not use thinner oil with a vvc.

The handbrake problem usually means you need new rear callipers as the handbrake mech in the calliper seizes up. It is possible to refurbish the callipers but the better solution is new or professionaly refurbed units. They are not too dear.

Thanks for the info will check this out when i get some time. Have gone to move car today and runs fine back to normal basically, could heat be playing a part in the problem? Seems to only happen after a decent length drive and once on an extreamly hot sunny day.

Right i have had a look and from what i can see everything is plugged in the right place



I was going to change the cam sensor to see if this made any difference but doesnt look like there is one currently?



Also changed air filter whilst i was in there, and while fafing around trying to get in there to get the old one out noticed that the tube had come loose from the engine end, im sure theres a more technical way of putting it but im new to this sort of stuff. Have got this reconnected properly and tightened down the clamp so this isnt going anyware. Could it be possible in the hot weather and when the car has been running a while and this heated up that this wasnt sealing properly and so causing problems due to a lack of air flow?

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