Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Zetec unwinding slowly to idle

I'm still not giving up on my Zetec idling problem

Today I found out that the ECU is actually working the way it should, more or less. With the restriction plate fitted only one annoying 'problem' remains; the slow down-winding between gear changes.
The very nice Ford engineer I talked to today (I think he likes my car ) told me that the ECU must have a speed sensor signal to establish if the car is actually one the move or stationary. The original Ford solution is a separate sensor for this purpose only - if I understood him correctly. The reason for this arrangement is to minimize the risk of stalling the engine - very 'Ford-ish' if you don't mind my saying so. I would rather be in control of this myself!
When checking the system today I found that there is no 'lag' at all in the unwinding sequence if the engine has been allowed to idle for a while. It's behaving perfectly!

Now I have figured that perhaps there could be a work-around; If it was possible to establish which lead transmits the signal from the speed sensor (which ever that is...) and if the nominal 'stationary' value of that signal could be discovered, it would be possible to trick the ECU to stay in the 'stationary' down-winding mode and I would be a much happier man

Any thoughts?

Does anyone know where the ECU is fitted in the -99 4/4? ( I haven't looked yet )

Thomas, I would expect a speed signal to be a pulse from a transducer, with repetition rate related to vehicle speed, rather than a variable steady level.

Is this because the idle speed sensor normally fitted to ford gearboxes isn't present with the gearboxes used on morgans ( at least in some cases

I know how infuriating this is Thomas. My Duratec has a similar “feature”. I can’t fix mine either.

Mine too, a 1999 4/4.
When I commented on it I was told that all Zetecs have that tendency and so just learned to drive the car that way. It would be great if a 'cure' could be found.

Mine too.
The revs drop to about 1300 until I bring the car to a halt, when they drop to 900.
I had it explained by a Ford Service engineer, that the main reason was to avoid stalling due to the potential loads put on the engine due to power steering. (Standard on all Fords)
Sound believable, but I am no expert on this (or many other matters)
Doesn't worry me.

Odd on my Roadster they drop like normal car. In fact the idle is so low & so quiet you think it has stalled.

I don't remember my 94 Zetec doing that but then it was chipped

Thank you all

Graham: You are probably right.
milligoon: I also find that a bit odd but I don't know... could be though.
Budster: Mine does exactly the same. Try letting it idle for a couple of minutes and see if it changes behaviour.
John V6: Lucky you

To begin with I will try to find out more about the wiring loom. Has anybody an idea of where I can find a wiring diagram for a -99 4/4?

I think the Roadster 3.0 has the original matching gearbox so hopefully has the full compliment of engine management?

I wish my V6 did...it used to do as described, but of late it refuses to drop to 800 or so, sits resolutly at 1300.