Cold Engine

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi, after advice nit sure if this is the right section to be on.

I have a Galaxy ghia 55 plate 2006,

Only had it a few months and when I start from a cold engine it won't go above 15 mph. If I sit and warm the engine first it's drives great.

After a bit of advice I have changed the Maf sensor, the Map sensor and the air filter.

But it still won't work properly.

Could it be the fuel temperature sensor??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Just bear in mind my knowledge of engines consists of fuel in one end and oil in the other.

Thanks in advance

[BrianH]

Mk2 looks like this > http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/images/galaxy3.gif

MK3 looks like this > http://www.talkford.com/community/page/Ford%20Bible/Ford%20Galaxy%20Mk3%20Bible

 

If its the mk2 then your in the right section - You don't mention if its petrol or diesel though, I'd suspect its diesel from what detail you've given. Rather than swapping parts it might help to get a look at the data its showing - VCDS will allow you to do this, it will be a case of first checking for fault codes, if theres none there (likely unless you have the engine light on the dash on when its running) then you should be able to monitor the engine sensors to see what output they are showing, temp ones should be fairly obvious if they are wrong, others its a case of knowing what they should be showing to know if they are wrong or not.

 

Note that the problem could be the wiring to the sensors (a poor connection may get better with temperature) as well as the sensors themselves - have a look at the wiring to see if you can see any damage to them.

 

If it isn't a mk2 then vcds will not help - you will need a normal obd2 reader for those, as you will for petrol mk1/2's for the engine side of things. It might help to post back with some more details before going any further (you can get the model off the ford Etis using your reg > https://www.etis.ford.com/ click vehicle lookup and fillout the reg field, it should show model on the following page

Edited December 27, 2016 by BrianH

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi Brian, it's the 1.9tdi engine and it's a mark2 car.

No fault lights are showing.

I will check the wiring to sensors and check connections, before I go to next step.

As I said my knowledge of cars is tiny so I'll start with the easy things.

Thanks for all the advice .

[BrianH]

I'd look into VCDS if you don't find anything obvious then - if the temp sensor is reading incorrectly that will show it, and work out far cheaper than randomly swapping out bits hoping to find the culprit (if its a sensor causing it of course!)

 

Do you get any excessive smoke from the exhaust on startup?

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi Brian, daft question but what is vcds?? And how do I access it??

No smoke on start up, no excessive smoke at all really.

Apart from this problem the only other things wrong are parking sensors(common fault I'm guessing) and lack of power trying g to accelerate up hill.

But the are not that much of a problem yet .

Going to check wiring and plugs on Saturday when I get a spare minute.

[BrianH]

VCDS is the diagnostic software you'd use to access the engine management - it will show you errors as well as sensor values.

 

You can download the lite version for free from ross-tech, but need a lead to use it with (plugs into the socket under the ashtray) and a laptop or computer to run the software on (laptop is easier as you can take it to the car unless you can get the car close enough to the computer of course).

 

Example lead £4.89 off ebay, many available there to chose from

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-409-1-USB-Cable-VAG-COM-OBD-Diagnostic-Scanner-VW-Audi-Seat-VCDS-UK-Stock-/181792604553

 

Suggest you download the latest version of vcds lite though, and use the drivers off the disc that comes with the lead.

 

Note that whilst the Galaxy isn't listed (or the Sharan for that matter) that the Alhambra is listed, and all 3 are the same vehicle underneath in the diesel form (its just trim and badges that differ, the Ford diesels are VW engines!)

 

The other possibility is the MAF - I know you've changed it already, but where was the replacement one from? New or used? Any idea what brand is on the sensor?

 

The lack of power going uphill is likely the same issue as the lack of power at cold anyway, Parking sensors seem to fail - theres many posts on here about testing them, but won't have anything to do with what your currently dealing with.

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi a mate just came and plugged his laptop in,no fault codes showing at all.

I've had suggestions of egr valve and fuel filter.

It was supposed to have been serviced when I bought it couple of months ago but judging by the state of the old air filter think they were telling lies .

[Galaxy quest 71]

The Maf sensor was a new one from Euro car parts. The brand is Hass

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi Brian ,I've been reading on here and it could be down to the auto Gear box not shifting up. Which in turn could be due to the n92 solenoid.

Do you think this could be a possibility and if so is it an easy change ??

[BrianH]

You never mentioned it was an auto, no idea if the symptoms you've got would indicate that, though would expect revs to go up regardless?

 

Theres instructions either on here or the other forum about the n92 solenoid change, as i was looking at them when considering another galaxy a while ago, but decided against it at the time. I don't have an auto so haven't had to change that solenoid or deal with the auto box, so can't suggest on that.

 

Though i'd expect a gearbox not changing due to solenoids to log a fault.

 

It may be worth unplugging your new maf and seeing if theres any improvement in that state (its supposed to default to a standard map in that state, if this seems like an improvement then it suggests the maf isn't working properly), I gather the maf can get contaminated from poor quality air filters - if you have the old one it may be worth having a look at if its covered with anything on the sensor. The pattern maf sensors don't have the best reputation unfortunately.

 

Can your mate see any sensor data for the maf - it may be worth trying to run it under load to see what comes up.

[Galaxy quest 71]

Really sorry about nit mentioning it was an auto.

I'll have a look on here about changing n92 solenoid

Sorry for wasting your time.

[BrianH]

Really sorry about nit mentioning it was an auto.

I'll have a look on here about changing n92 solenoid

Sorry for wasting your time.

 

not a problem - its hard to judge what may or may not be relevent - the solenoids when i was looking were about £90 by the time they were delivered, but that was from the USA off ebay.

 

This details changing the solenoids > http://www.forum.fordmpv.com/smf2/ford-galaxy-reference-library/ford-galaxy-09a-automatic-gearbox-failure-to-upshift-when-cold/#sthash.4SPc6uhc.dpbs

 

I doubt its the cause though - if it is gearbox related its more likely to be the oil (not enough, or its gone bad or both). Its possible to check levels etc - the FAQ section on here details that. It would also make sense that temperature would make a difference if the transmission oil (ATF) has gone bad, as it turns to tar which will thin a bit once its warmed.

[Galaxy quest 71]

Thanks for all your help ,this is beginning to sound past my limited knowledge.

Might have to get a price from a garage

[BrianH]

Thanks for all your help ,this is beginning to sound past my limited knowledge.

Might have to get a price from a garage

I'd see if you can at least check the level yourself first - Theres a level plug on the bottom of the box, if nothing comes out when you remove it (its a 2 part bolt, the inner one is the level, the whole thing allows draining) then topping up may help, equally it may be worth slowly removing the drain plug to let a little bit out to assess what sort of state it is in, as it may be worth changing it.

 

If you can find a garage you can trust to do it then great, but be aware some may give you the run around on doing it, so I'd consider either trying it yourself (instructions are on here - see if this matches what you can see on the car - http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/6103-autobox-and-vag-com/&do=findComment&comment=42665 or this http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?/topic/5899-autobox-oil-change/&do=findComment&comment=40671 ) if so then at least checking the level should be fairly easy, note the comment there about 14mm and 24mm bolts.

 

At least if you've seen what came out in the first place you will know if they have done what you've asked for.

[Galaxy quest 71]

I'll have a look see if I can find it , I've priced up 4l of atf from Euro car parts for 30 quid . So with the links you sent could save a lot of money

Thank you

[Galaxy quest 71]

Hi Brian, well I got the check plug out and about 1l of thick blank gunk came out, I'm guessing too much is as bad as too little.

So I took the drain plug out and emptied as much as I could, then refilled until it came out the check plug.

So hopefully that will sort it.

Thank you so much for all your advice.

Can't believe it was so easy, the only hard part was refilling had to fashion a funnel to get in right.

[Galaxy quest 71]

Just been out for a run and still doing it, getting fed up now might just live with it.

All I can think of next is n92 solenoid.

[Galaxy quest 71]

Just been out for a run and still doing it, getting fed up now might just live with it.

All I can think of next is n92 solenoid.

[BrianH]

Just been out for a run and still doing it, getting fed up now might just live with it.

All I can think of next is n92 solenoid.

Thick black gunk isn't right - this is probabbly your issue. I'd suggest running it a bit, then trying again as some of the ATF won't come out on each refill (its held in the torque convertor). It may help to get the gearbox hot (do it after running the car about a bit) before draining it again. Its typically a couple of goes if you look at the other posts on the subject before much of a change.

 

May be the N92 solenoid, don't know for sure.

[Galaxy quest 71]

I'll drain some more out this weekend and then order another tub of atf.

While I was driving today going up hill the power seemed to fade for some reason. I'll have a look at FAQ page see if anyone had the same