Like the subject says, my car is pretty much dead... still havent found out what's wrong w/ it and it got even worse. Now I cant drive the car above 2500 rpm w/o it stumbling and backfiring like crazy - - got half way to school this morning and had to turn around and had to keep it under 1k rpm all the way home :\

Car is throwing a code 23, bad MAT sensor, which i will have to replace once i figure out where/how to install it (TBI w/ open element) and im gonna be replacing the cap rotor and coil soon to see if that fixes it...but have one question... today when i had the hood up trying to find anything that looked wrong, i heard a real high pitched tone (as if from a computer) from somewhere inside the engine compartment... it would sound at random times and for different lengths of time. I haven't the slightest clue as to what it could be so if anybody could help me at all, i'd appreciate it.

 

I would check for vaccuum leaks, grab some brake cleaner (flamible only!) and spray along your intake and around any ports with a vaccuum line. If your engine shoots up in RPM, theres your culprit! Did you check to see if you have any antifreeze in your oil or vis versa?

I would also do the cap and rotor and if you haven't done the plugs and wires for awhile do that too. How many miles are on the vehical? I there are a ton and all the other stuff checks out, (the only other thing I can think of) is reset your valve lash, inspect all the valve train or your timing chain has streched out sooooo much that it skipped a tooth. I never thought it was possible untill it happend to me.. Good luck!

 

ok i'll try the brake cleaner trick and see how that works.

I changed the oil a few hundred miles ago and didnt see any antifreeze in the oil, and i was having the problem back then too. Autozone didnt have a coil in-stock so i have to wait a few days until im gonna replace the cap rotor and coil. The plugs and wires appear to be in good shape too. And as for the motor, it has only around 2500 miles on it (bought it last october and the guy had only 2000 on it then) so the motor is new. I reset the valve lash on the exhaust valves only (lack of time) a couple weeks ago to see if thats why it was back firing; wasn't the case. Should i relash the intake valves just to be safe?
Lastly, i'll be ordering a MAT relocation kit from TPIS since my car doesnt have one (at least i havent found it yet ) my only question is are the connectors the same between TBI and TPI MAT sensors??