Engine stall under heavy electrical load : where to look ?

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Hi everyone,

 

My good friend Eric has a few issues with its 20V 034-EFIed urQ. 

 

The most annoying is the fact that the car dies when the cooling fan starts,
especially if the headlights are switched on. Brady tried to raise the idle
speed or enrich mixture a bit, but nothing works. Now, Eric (who is a
prominent auto journalist) wrote that he's thinking of selling the beast.
For those who can read French (there is a nice picture of the car) :
<http://auto.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/eric-lefrancois/201203/26/01-4509369-ma
-quattro-toute-histoire-a-une-fin.php>
http://auto.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/eric-lefrancois/201203/26/01-4509369-ma-
quattro-toute-histoire-a-une-fin.php

 

I was there with them last Friday, and I noticed a few things : fan starts
on the highest speed only, and very often for a short period of time. Could
it be only that ?

 

This engine has a lightened flywheel : could it be "too" light ?

 

Many readers suggested bad engine grounds  : but if it was the case, then
how the hell the starter would get it's juice ? 

 

Let me know, and please reply to all so we can collectively cure this
almost-sorted car.

 

We don't need another car to leave the nest.

 

Louis-Alain