.....it warmed up. Took it on a rather long drive around the neighborhood today.

About 15 minuites into it, it started having a hesitation from a standing start. Now it won't start at all.

Just before it died it would start, but holding a given RPM was impossible. It would fluctuate RPMs as it finally rolled down and died. Then,it would turn over wonderful...hit every now and then.....but no start.

Pump sounds like its' working fine, relay is doing its' thing and the fuel filter is new(2 weeks ago.....first time out of the driveway)

What am I looking for? The codes come up clear.

TPS?...Maybe?

HELP!!!!!!

 

OK....no ideas so far, huh.
Well, how 'bout an update.

Let it set for a few hours....now it fires up and runs just fine.

Don't know, but it sounds like a component overheat prob on an electronic system....

..my prob is, which one?

NM

 

Ignition coil and/or ignition module. Check all wiring first for chaffing, tight connections or broken.

RBob.

 

RBob....thanks!

Made me feel like an idiot, though!LOL My normal genre of hobby car is mid to late '60's MOPAR. If I'd run into this problem on one of those, coil would have been my FIRST thought....instead, I've been chasing sensor ghosts on this car and an '89 Grand Am I have for so long, I guess I got "sensor on the brain"!

Oh well....it now has a new coil, and as I haven't had a chance to drive it for any time since, I'm not definite on that being the problem.....but I'd bet it is. (and I don't bet on anything but a sure thing! ) Must say, it does run better now, even cold.

Once again, THANKS!

 

Nope...that wasn't it.

OK...checked codes with engine running....finally pulled one up. A 44.

In order....I checked ECM connections...they are fine, O2 wire..fine, no vacuum leaks...fine, O2 sensor?.....doubtful thats' the problem.(can't see where temp would change its' performance).....(yes, I know...ECM could be the prob...just not ready to replace it....JUST yet!)

My guess? Water in the fuel. From the smell of the exhaust, I'd say a good possibility. I thought I had drained the tank before I started this project, but I'm betting not well enough.

Code states "lean condition".....yep....motors don't burn water too well! May not be a temperature problem, may be a motion one. Runs good 'till you drive it, stirs up the water and viola......lean condition.

Another quick trip to AZ, gas station and see what happens!

I know this may not interest anyone, but I'm using this to keep track of what I've done, so far......that way I don't get confused!LOL

 

RBob....you may be right, yet.


It twasn't the gas.

I'm down to ECM or O2 sensor.

Guess if I have further Q's, they need to be posted in the electronics section.

Thanks, All!

NM

 

does your tach bounce rapidly and the car kinda sputter and die?
I have the same problem if it does and I can't find it but it is definatly electrical
mine has done it twice in the past year
let it sit for an hour and it starts right up and runs like a bat out of hell again
I don't get it
let me know what you figure out
Ryan

 

Heh, thats one of the more weird problems I have heard.

For the hell of it, is your coolant temp sensor good? I know on VW's, if you unplug it and the car runs better without it, than its bad. It usually is telling the car that its cold and it makes the system rich to heat it up quicker.

I doubt its your ECM, I dont think that is a ECM associated problem.

 

rad8tion ....yep...you explained it well!

OK....No vac leaks, no tank water and a new O2 sensor.......still get a 44 code(lean condition).

ECM is 80 bucks at AZ......I'd really rather not throw another part at this thing 'till I'm convinced of the cause.

vwdave...coolant sensor works fine....that is, if by fine it means the guage works! I'm new to these 'puter cars, so I'm not sure that would have a bearing on the situation........unlike the Highlander, I've found that in these cars "there can be more than one!"LOL

 

Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there are 3 temp sensers in all. One for the ECM, one for the gage, and one for the fan. So your coolent gage senser may have nothing to do with your ECM.
Some one please confirm this if it's right.

 

The best I can tell, all 3 jobs are handled by one sensor(they feed off the old guage sensor).

NM

 

I have seen two. So a third is a good possibility.

One is on the intake up front, thats the one for the fan.

One on the driver side of the engine in the block, that is probably for the gauge or the computer.

 

JokerRS ....you are right....there are more than one. VWDave, yep.....that sensor down on the block on the drivers' side ain't oil pressure!(DUH!!!)

It helped tremendously when I plugged it back in...and burning the rest of the water out of the tank will be a plus, I'm sure!LOL

Running good now...mild hesitation but I figure thats' water and bad gas. Its' ALMOST trustworthy!

Thanks ya'll for all the help.

Now...if I could just get the title issues settled I could get the stepdaugfhter in a much safer car than shes' in now!

NM

 

No problem.

The ECM thought the car was cold, so it ran rich.

 

On my car there are 3:

1-front top of intake manifold, connects to ECM
2-passenger side head, fan relay temp switch
3-drivers side head, dashboard