The Pajero ECU problem first occurred while cruising at 2000 to 2500 rpm, the engine started increasing its rpm and there was total loss of throttle control (very scary), I put the auto into neutral and switched off the engine.
After a few minutes i switched the engine back on and it ran perfectly but the problem re-occurred and I noticed that it occurred more frequently when the motor was not accelerating but cruising and in the 2000 -2500rpm range.
I contacted the agents who suggested that I send the Pajero to Alan Black in Springs to check the pump & injectors since the Pajero has done 658,000 kilometers since I purchased it new in 2001.
Alan Black informed me that the ECU would not communicate with their diagnostic equipment and suggested that they remove the pump & injectors for testing. I agreed and was informed that both pump and injectors are in
good condition and required no overhauling. The Pajero starts easily every time and feels as powerful as when it was new, nor does its exhaust smoke. Alan Black suggested that I take it to Flash Electrical who are ECU
specialists and have experience with Pajero 3.2 ECU's since they attend to CRD's 3.2 DID conversions on 2.8 Colt bakkies.
Flash Electrical however could not diagnose the problem and will install a new ECU for approx R12000.00 ,or more if other problems occur, but cannot gaurantee that this will solve the problem.
Has anyone encountered this type of problem or have any advice on how the problem can be diagnosed correctly it will be greatly appreciated.
Mimmo
Affiliate Member
Firstly we would like a testimony/history of your experience of the vehicle (suspension & steering components, engine & turbo ) as 658'oookm is something we would like to use as leverage against the diesel disbelievers 
I doubt it is the ECU. Does it bellow smoke out the back when it does this? It could be that diesel is getting into the sump oil causing the motor to effectively run on it's own oil - very scary! 4ePajero has experienced this and managed to walk away from it as well.
It could also be oil seals in the turbo that is blowing/forcing oil into the cylinders.
Last but not least, warm welcome to the forum! I trust you will enjoy it here.
I doubt it is the ECU. Does it bellow smoke out the back when it does this? It could be that diesel is getting into the sump oil causing the motor to effectively run on it's own oil - very scary! 4ePajero has experienced this and managed to walk away from it as well.
It could also be oil seals in the turbo that is blowing/forcing oil into the cylinders.
Last but not least, warm welcome to the forum! I trust you will enjoy it here.
Affiliate Member
On second thought. Get a mechanic that will diagnose the problem and fix that problem. Not someone who replaces random bits and hopes for the best while your wallet gets thinner.
It might be something simple like your throttle positioning sensor going on the blink.
It might be something simple like your throttle positioning sensor going on the blink.
Funny that you would say that Pikanin, Throttle position sensor was also the first thing that sprang to my mind when I first read Mimmo's problem!4ePikanini wrote:On second thought. Get a mechanic that will diagnose the problem and fix that problem. Not someone who replaces random bits and hopes for the best while your wallet gets thinner.
It might be something simple like your throttle positioning sensor going on the blink.
Can't Flash loan you an ECU for a few days to test before you pay?What did the agents MUTT tool say? Did it log any fault codes?
658 000km hey? And here I was starting to brag with my 200 000km just the other day
CATS
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
658,000 km is good going but they have not been without some problems. At approx 400,000 km i damaged the gearbox protection plate which in turn damaged a water pipe to the rear air/con heater : catastrofic result was the
radiator lost water causing the automatic transmission oil cooler to overheat and split ,with the transmission oil then mixing with the engine water coolant and overheating the engine. I had to recon the auto -box and replace the engine cylinder head & radiator/oil cooler. I have also replaced the power steering pump and the air-con compressor. Suspension / steering has not given any problems , with only the rear shocks and all the brake discs being replaced. I get 100,000 to 120,000 km on a set of Michelin Syncro's ( orignal Brigdestones only managed 65000 km) so the suspension must still be okay. I overhauled the rear diff at 600,000 . The engine is still original except for the head and the longevity of the pump and injectors is hard to beleive. Fuel consumption averages about 10.5 to 11 liters per 100km.The Pajero is the most comfortable car i have driven ( especially on gravel roads) and my only gripe is all the plastic attachments on the bottom of the body ( rubbish & always getting damaged) The GLX has more practical bottom end bodywork.
After 100,000 km i did all the oil lubes every 20,000 km and have always used Caltex 400 Delo. I had to replace the front wheel bearings at approx 250,000 km . My oil consumption is now 500ml per 10,000 km. There are no oil leaks on the vehicle. All I need to do now is sort out this ECU problem without getting ripped off and I will hopefully be on my way to 1,000,000 km. My mechanical maintenance cost so far( excluding tyres & fuel are about 15cents a kilometer).
Mimmo
radiator lost water causing the automatic transmission oil cooler to overheat and split ,with the transmission oil then mixing with the engine water coolant and overheating the engine. I had to recon the auto -box and replace the engine cylinder head & radiator/oil cooler. I have also replaced the power steering pump and the air-con compressor. Suspension / steering has not given any problems , with only the rear shocks and all the brake discs being replaced. I get 100,000 to 120,000 km on a set of Michelin Syncro's ( orignal Brigdestones only managed 65000 km) so the suspension must still be okay. I overhauled the rear diff at 600,000 . The engine is still original except for the head and the longevity of the pump and injectors is hard to beleive. Fuel consumption averages about 10.5 to 11 liters per 100km.The Pajero is the most comfortable car i have driven ( especially on gravel roads) and my only gripe is all the plastic attachments on the bottom of the body ( rubbish & always getting damaged) The GLX has more practical bottom end bodywork.
After 100,000 km i did all the oil lubes every 20,000 km and have always used Caltex 400 Delo. I had to replace the front wheel bearings at approx 250,000 km . My oil consumption is now 500ml per 10,000 km. There are no oil leaks on the vehicle. All I need to do now is sort out this ECU problem without getting ripped off and I will hopefully be on my way to 1,000,000 km. My mechanical maintenance cost so far( excluding tyres & fuel are about 15cents a kilometer).
Mimmo
Affiliate Member
wow!
That is a testimonial to good design. Hope she takes you past the million.
That is a testimonial to good design. Hope she takes you past the million.
I seem to have encountered the exact same problem as you on my 2000 3.2 Did.200000 Km.Taken it too agents and cant pick up anything. Can travel for 1000km no problem and then cuts out 5 times in 200 km. Usually happens when travelling at about 120 km with low revs.Engine diagnostic light comes on and all power goes. Pull over switch off and restart. Sometimes on restart it doesnt seem to run on all cylinders and then goes off like new. When slowing down for a toll road or the like it also starts shuddering and nearly cuts out and then takes off fine again when accelerating away. The engine doesnt smoke at all although on occasion when you restart after having to stop it billows out black smoke. I think that this happens if i keep my accelorator down a bit after the diagnostic light comes on.
Please help
Please help
Mike
Maybe check the diesel fuel filter as a start to trace the problem. Also check all the vacuum pipes to and from engine. Might be that one has a small hole leading to incorrect ECU readings. Your problem sound different to the original query posted as your engine stalls, where the original post indicated a rise in engine revs with no throttle control.
Could also be linked to diesel pickup inside tank? Is the problem not linked to the amount of diesel in the tank? Thus no problem when full and hassles when only quarter full or something like that? Only throwing some ideas out there.
CATS
Maybe check the diesel fuel filter as a start to trace the problem. Also check all the vacuum pipes to and from engine. Might be that one has a small hole leading to incorrect ECU readings. Your problem sound different to the original query posted as your engine stalls, where the original post indicated a rise in engine revs with no throttle control.
Could also be linked to diesel pickup inside tank? Is the problem not linked to the amount of diesel in the tank? Thus no problem when full and hassles when only quarter full or something like that? Only throwing some ideas out there.
CATS
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
Thanks CATS
Not the filters as have changed regularly and still happens.
It did seem to help with the tank over 3/4 full. Had problems going to Moz on Sat 20 Dec and after Beafort West kept tank full for next 2000Km and no problem but on way back had lots of problems although kept filling up every 200 km.
I feel it could be fuel pick up or a sensor but will also get vacuum pipes checked.
Regards
Mike
Not the filters as have changed regularly and still happens.
It did seem to help with the tank over 3/4 full. Had problems going to Moz on Sat 20 Dec and after Beafort West kept tank full for next 2000Km and no problem but on way back had lots of problems although kept filling up every 200 km.
I feel it could be fuel pick up or a sensor but will also get vacuum pipes checked.
Regards
Mike
YIP, Fuel Pick up is a definate possible culprit, but then it ussually goes along with heaps of white smoke. Hope you track the problem.
Please keep us updated. I will keep on trying to think of possible causes. My 2001 Manual Did just did a problem free 3500 trip towing my Xplorer and is currently standing at just over 205000km, so not long before we need to break out the champagne/cap de classic on her 21st!
CATS
Please keep us updated. I will keep on trying to think of possible causes. My 2001 Manual Did just did a problem free 3500 trip towing my Xplorer and is currently standing at just over 205000km, so not long before we need to break out the champagne/cap de classic on her 21st!
CATS
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)