This just started today. I was driving in town and noticed an intermittant stumble, especially when loading the engine. The problem progressively became worse over the next mile or so, until I could barely keep the engine running. I pulled into a parking lot and called the wife. Once she arrived, I headed to the nearest parts store and picked up a new cap and rotor. After installing them, I made a couple spirited runs in the parking lot and thought I had the problem licked. However, after about a half mile, the stumbling re-appeared. I was able to coax it to the nearest parts store. I picked up a new coil and plugged it in but no joy. I also unplugged the maf to see if that made a difference. The engine ran sluggish but still exhibited the same telltale miss/stumble. It was getting late, so I called a tow truck. By the time it arrived, the car was running fine again (seemingly), as I drove it onto the bed of the truck. The driver was perplexed.

I keep the car well maintained. It has had new plugs and wires installed within the last six months and I saw no light show under the hood with the engine running at night. The problem seem s to be related to heat and it seems (to me) to be ignition related as the engine compartment smelled of unburned fuel when I stopped at the parts store.

Anyone point me in the right direction? All help is appreciated...

 

Vexter,

Don't overlook the ignition amplifier/switching module in the base of the distributor. They can exhibit the same symptoms you describe as they heat up. Many parts stores will test them for you, but unless they are tested under a load for a period of time, they might pass the "go / no-go" test but still fail after heating on your engine. If you can get someone to perform more than a rudimentary test, you mat be able to determine if it is the problem. You've already eliminated many of the other likely suspects, like the coil, or a damp cap/rotor.

 

Vader~

I thought I read your goodbye's a few months back...

I count myself lucky getting a response from you. Thank-you.

I think i'll pull the distributor and give it a good inspection. Then I can replace the pick-up coil and the ignition module. I'll report back with my findings.

 

UPDATE:

Instead of buying a spark module and pickup coil, I decided to buy a remanufactured distributor that includes everything. Picked one up for $100 w/ a lifetime warrantee in the hopes that would do the trick... It did!

Car runs like a champ!

Thanks for the tip, Vader! Perhaps this will help someone else...

 

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Well, the cap and rotor needed to be replaced anyways. The coil got returned for a refund. I had replaced the spark module a couple years ago, but wound up pulling one of the wires out of the pickup coil connector. I was able to get the pin out and recrimp the wire and put the pin back in, but never really felt good about it. That pickup coil has been in the back of my mind all this time and had planned to replace it anyways. So, a spark module and a pickup coil would run roughly $50. The extra $50 on a reman distributor didn't bother me much considering the time saved having to install a new pickup coil.

From the symptoms, I felt the problem was probably electrical and Vader confirmed as much. How many different electrical components would you guess would cause the same symptoms? Yeah, buying a distrubutor was a bit of a gamble, but hardly a shot in the dark. At my age, sometimes it's easier to simply spend a little extra cash to avoid a potential hassle. I don't know if I'd characterize it as 'throwing money at a problem', but if some do I guess I can live with it. My car is running...

 

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