Everyonce in a while when I downshift and step on the gas or turn hard while on it, my check engine light flashes and the car cuts out, does anyone know what could be causing this?


Danny

 

Since there are no constant error codes that are prevalent, you'll need to check for vacuum leaks and/or fuel leakage. If you're using the stock fuel injectors (BTW what's the mileage), they might be a little clogged....

 

Well, the car has 170000 miles on it, and I ran a Fuel Injection Cleaning service on it at work about 10000 miles ago if that. This problem just started in the past few days, I had a gas smell from the left rear wheel well, and ended up taking the white vent for the gas tank off(It was clogged), and threw on a fuel filter for an older import on there to act as the vent, and I haven't smelled gas since, also replaced a few of the rotted vaccuum lines on the motor, I've been thinking its fuel related becuz it mostly happens when I cut the wheel hard.

 

If it were a Quadrajet, I'd be pointing towards the float.... but since it's fuel injected, you're going to need to check the fuel pressure before we go any further....

Just curious.... did you touch the distributor at all?

 

I haven't touched the distributor other than putting new plug wires in about 2 months ago, one think I am thinking is possibly the cap and rotor? I haven't changed them in probably 2 years or better. What do u think?

 

A fresh ignition set-up is always a good thing, as you're coil may be on it's way out.... causing hesitation.

But, first check the fuel pressure, and get this out of the way so we can move on (this is why I switched from TPI to CARB, I mean.... TPI has it's advantages, but you really can't use the trial and error method. It heavily relies on diagnostic checks)....

 

I'll check the fuel pressure as sonas I can, but I have been considering buying a new cap and rotor anyway, and also have ran the thought of replacing the factory coil with a supercoil. I'll keep you posted, What are your thoughts on the supercoil? Also what about a possibility of the spark plug wires? I've had probs in the past with them getting burnt on my manifold, but its never caused it to cut out that hard, just some missing/hesitation, but could this be another possible cause?

 

It's possible.... but if this happens only under hard acceleration, I'd be leaning more towards the fuel aspect.

Basically, from the sounds of it.... it could be one of two things. On the one hand, you might be getting more air than gas in the combustion chamber at a higher RPM (in which the fuel system is in question), or, you have too much fuel in the combustion chamber, with not enough spark to ignite it (even if only for a 'split' second)....

I'm only saying this, that is, if there are indeed no error codes prevalent. Otherwise, it might just be a sensor.

When you did the ignition work, did you disconnect the battery? Reset the ECM, by disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes, then give her a test drive if so.....

 

What ignition work are you referring to? All I have done is the plug wires haven't really done anything with the rest of the ignition system, and no when I did the wires I didn't reset the computer, I did however reset it when I replaced my VSS a couple weeks ago. The too much air theory sparks a little in my head since i haven't done anything to improve spark, even haven't changed plugs in a while, and I have the plenum ported and polished, and a gutted MAF sensor(just the screens, not the fins), so that makes me think I may be getting a little more air than i need right now with old plugs and all. I might try some spark plugs also. I'm in the middle of doing everything I can to the car to bring back to new condition. Just put a set 17's on it 2 days ago, and did new front brakes rotors calipers, lines, and did the swaybar bushings and links.

 

Ahhhh! Yes, it sounds like you're getting a little to much air in those heads. Do you have an AFPR? If so.... raise fuel pressure a bit, and add some fresh plugs (wider gap).

As for the ignition work I mentioned, whenever you do any kind of work to the ignition.... even if it's just removing the plug wiring, you always need to remove the battery.

 

Don't have the AFPR just yet, but its in the plans for the near future, plan on raising to prob 45-50psi, maybe lower if it runs better that way, just have to try i guess....but I'll put plugs in, what would you rec for the wider gap? After I do that I'll keep you posted....

 

If their quality plugs, then they 'should' be gapped correctly by the source.... which means that you should only open them up a drop more.

 

Well...I pulled in my garage this evening, started the car, shut the light off, and took a peek under the hood, found the coil arcing right ou of the middle of it on the bracket that holds it!!!! Betcha thats my problem, I'll replace that thisweekend with my plug wires, probably some 8.8's.Thanks for the help

 

I put an MSD supercoil on my car last night, great pull throughout the rpm range. But if i weave hard left and right, it will still cut out. Any comments?