Hi, My Mit Carisma (Equippe, GDI, 1834cc, 2001, Auto) was running fine until last Sunday when this problem cropped up. I was trying to reverse the car over a pot-hole and suddenly the throttle response went off and the engine went to high revs. The diagnostic icon in the dash started flashing. The RAC man hooked it up to his computer but couldn't identify a fault code. He wrote in his report that this is an ECU fault. My mechanic had a thorough look and feels it is an ECU problem as well though again he hasn't been able to identify the exact problem. He says that 2 cylinders are not getting enough oil. This has put me into a very difficult position and I am hoping that someone in this forum is able to help. Any explanantion/suggestion will be highly appreciated. Thanks.

people all to often diagnose faulty ecu when they are rarely the fault at all.I am sure that with a qualified tech looking at the date list you will find a better solution.I do not give a lot if any faith to rac or aa recovery folk as I find they think they know a lot more than they do.almost alway when the eml light come on there is a fault code stored so it may be just a matter of a proper diagnostic tool being used.I would suggest it may be worth an hour of your local dealers time to hook up thier mutt II or mutt III.at least they can retrieve accurate fault codes or read where the fault may lie.if your feeling lucky check the throttle body yourself and make sure it moves freely as they can burn out causing them to stick in one position.may not be the fault as it should trip an etv fault

Thanks for your sensible advice. I have booked an appointment with the local dealer. I was wondering whether it's safe to drive about 7miles in this condition. The maximum engine rev reached is 2500. The car is moving without any problems and all the electric systems are working fine.

should be ok although at that rpm you will be slipping the clutch more than normal to engage.best try and get thier early when there is little traffic or drive it over the evening before.more free driving if there is less traffic.good luck.let me know if they get any fault codes as I can assist from my end in what is needed(also a mitsi tech)

Finally got the car checked with the local dealer. A MUTT II identified a fault. The code is P1221 ETV MTR FB. They say that the throttle body needs to be changed and the total cost is going to be around £1200. Another fault that they identified was to do with the immobiliser, this they felt was incidental, probably related to the alarm system that was fitted. This code did not come up the 2nd time he tested.

On checking the internet about the OBD codes, I realise that this code actually pertains to pedal position sensor 2 range/performance problem (webpage: E46 fanatics, forum). This would fit in with my problem and the way it happened.

While driving the car off from the service centre, the engine went into very high revs and I tried to reverse with the automatic transmission. There was a sudden jerk and now the break appears very heavy. I need to press really hard to stop the car. The return leg of my drive was dreadful.

Can you please guide?

The problem has finally been sorted. The dealer fault code was right. The throttle body has been changed and the car is running fine now. A new throttle body costs around £1000 with the dealer. If you search around you'll find a perfectly fine 2nd hand throttle body for about £200. As far as the problem with brakes are concerned, I think it was the ABS and this got sorted by itself.

Thank you conanofcimmeria for your suggestions.

Hello,

I have now a P1221 problem with my 2002 Carisma. When starting the car the engine runs very unstable, at first the RPM goes up and down, after a while the error lamp is activiated and the gas pedal has hardly any affect.

I tested the car with a diagnostic tool and got the error P1221, we also noticed that an oxogen sensor gave no response.

Now I wonder if it could be the sensor that casues this error and what exactly is this Trottle Body. I assume that the sensor is mounted on this body together with other devices?

Can anybody help me sort this out?

The carisma engine causes the development of excess soot which sticks to the throttle body - this causes the problem. This happens after about 60k miles are clocked. If you remove the engine cover you'll be able to see the throttle body - try looking up in google pictures to see how it looks. You can try to clean with a suitable agent - again detailed advise is available on the internet. This is unlikely to cure the problem as I learned from my experience. To change the throttle body the whole engine will have to be dismounted. It's almost 18months since I had this problem sorted - there hasn't been any issue since then. The error light got rectified as well. Knowing that this problem can occur again I have since then been using high octane petrol available in Tesco pumps - it costs more but keeps the engine clean.

The throttle body helps in combustion - as a result the O2 sensor can show a fault. I have a spare throttle body if you want to buy one - it needs to match your engine.

the engine doesn't have to be dismounted to remove a throttle body, it's just 4 12mm bolts and two coolant pipes, easy-peasy. :57:

Thanks for your advise, I will take out the trottle body and take a look at it and see if it is possible to clean or if it is the O2 sensor that is defect and needs to be replaced.

Have you fixed the problem?

I got the P1221 fault code at friday 13:th (two days ago).

Would like to know how much money (and time) I have to spend on fixing
the problem.

Did you fix it yorself? Costs on spare parts?
Maybe it is only a broken sensor?

Does anyone know what the 21 in P1221 means?

BR