Hi, unfortunately tonight my engine cut out in the pouring rain on the way home. I had a quick loss of power, then normality, then total power loss in the middle of a busy roundabout on a dual carriageway

I called out the RAC, who checked for sparks and fuel to the engine, which were both fine. Starter motor is turning over. I mentioned the crank sensor, as I remember reading about similar problems on here.

Engine has always started 1st time on the key, and have not noticed any issues up until today.

Is it likely to be the crank sensor, could it just break all of a sudden?
If so, does anyone have the correct Rimmer Bros part number. Its a 214 Si, multivalve injection, 1995.

Thanks,

Martin

The crank sensor usually starts to pack up when hot, but if it was faulty you'd not get a spark at all.

Did you drive though any deep puddle just before the fault occured? If so then a can of WD40 and some time may work wonders (disconnect each electrical connector, spray inside with WD40 then replace).

Otherwise check for a spark at the plugs (a spark at the coil lead doesn't mean that it is getting through to the plugs - rotor arm's are known to fail)

If there is a good strong blue spark at the plugs then check for fuel pressure at the fuel filter (loosen the connection to check there is pressurised fuel in the system). Or turn the igntion off for a couple of minutes and then have an assistant turn it on whilst you listen near the rear wheels. you should hear the fuel pump prime for a second or so. If it doesn't then suspect the fuel pump connections.

The breakdown guys checked for spark at the coil, and also the No1 HT lead, good spark at both.

They then disconnected the fuel hose from the inlet manifold, and turned the engine to check the pump, which was fine and fuel was flowing.

The starter motor is turning OK, I hear a soft clunk as I turn off the key without the engine firing.

It was raining very heavily so there is a chance of damp, although would I still get a spark at the HT leads if this was the case?

If you've got a spark then it's probably not the crank sensor.

You have fuel flow but is it making it through the injectors? Are the plugs wet after cranking? You may have a short or open circuit int he injector wiring.

Thanks Richard, was beginning to think along those lines