Hi, new guy here! (New 'Bird too!), and I've got a question.

My new Bird



Would a bad CTS sensor cause power loss/hesitation and occasional stalling with a cold/very hot engine? The engine will sometimes start right back up immediately (even roll-starting before I coast to a stop will do it most of the time) or occasionally need about 20 seconds to cool.

I also have a VERY LOUD whine from somewhere under the hood that will last about 5-6 seconds when I start it, then go away entirely. If I turn the ignition to run only, without starting, it doesn't make the sound. A warm engine will have a shorter sound, and a hot engine doesn't always make the sound. I've been thinking water pump (used to think fuel), but I can't get anyone to confirm that...

And, lastly, boiling in the overflow res. is often caused by a bad ratiator cap letting the mix boil at 212, right?

Thanks!

 

Welcome,

If you just got the car, do a tune up. Fuel filter/tranny filter, everything. This might solve your first problem.

As far as the boiling, the cap can be one cause, but it could be several. Be sure your fan is coming on. Check the lower radiator hose to make sure it's not collapsing. And anything else that causes overheating.

The noise, sounds like your alternator is going out.

 

The noise could be your alt. brushes whining to charge a low battery, or it could be the water pump. The overheating prob. and whine might lead to the water pump, but check the alt also.

Also, check you TPS sensor! Run a scanner to see if your throwing codes. This will narrow things a bit (as far as stalling and hesitation).

 

No4NJunk, where ya been at? Haven't seen you postin in a while.

 

Ok, finally got my Haynes guide-of-goodness, I'm throwing a code 15 for the CTS, so that'll be replaced and the wires checked.

I haven't seen anything wrong with the hoses for the radiator, although it is a bit on the low side for coolant. I'll get some and a new cap tomorrow, since they both are cheap, and the cap isn't in the best of shape.

How many times does your engine turn over before it starts? On this one, the starter grabs, everything is silent (no turning, like a dying batt.) and then it rumbles to life (without any hesitation or slowness I normally associate with a weak batt). The charge-o-meter (dash) reads a bit low from center, but not to the dead yet...

Maybe I'll try unhooking the alternator belt, if that's possible. Got plenty of jumps if the batt dies from a single start, and if there is no whine, I'll know what's screaming.

Still relatively minor stuff, for a car that cost $1500 with the engine/tranny/t-tops in near-perfect shape. Just needs some tuning.