I changed my plugs a day ago (bosch platinums ) and today I put a new cap and rotor on and bumped my timing to 10*. The car ran like brand new all day. Then, I stopped into Wal-Mart, came back out and the car wouldn't start. If I gave it some pedal, I could keep it running...which is how I made it home. I will run if I keep it running and it seems to do ok as far as not missing or anything. Just won't start on it's own power....and if I stop at a light, it will die. There is no SES light. Any ideas? Fouled plug?

 

No SES? My initial reaction is to check the MAF, but wait to see what the consensus is. It may be a bad relay, or it could be incorrect wire routing or too much advance.

 

I thought that it might be too much advance, but I have heard about a lot of guys running 10* on a stock motor. Could be the MAF, but I would think it would throw a code. Can a car be throwing codes withOUT the SES coming on?

 

If the SES bulb is toast. I wouldn't count out the MAF itself, it usually is something else related to i, in particular the relays. For a quick check you might want to swap them to see if it runs like that (if it does don't leave it running like that). I have seen some cars blow a relay and not throw a code at all, the car just turns over, stumbles then dies. To try one quickie/cheat test, unplug the MAF and start the car. If it stays running (albeit crappily) then you probably have yourself a MAF related problem.

 

Thanks, I will try that. It just seems a little strange to me that it happened the same day I did all that other stuff. I know the wiring routing is correct, because I drove it all day and it ran great. I have never encountered anything like this before.

 

The coincidental **** happens all the time. Drives everyone crazy. Good luck.