Car: 1986 2.8L V6
Manual


I hope someone out there can throw out a possible solution to this...


To begin with, the problem started when my car sat out in some heavy rain for hours in these Florida thunderstorms... I've got a Formula hood (I think that's what it's called) with the offset scoop and nothing there to protect it from water leaking down inside. Always something I planned on making but never did... Now I completely regret that.

Anyway,
So I got in and was going down the road on this same rainy day after it and it's going crazy. My volt meter is jumping around and my lights are getting dim - bright - dim - bright... RPMs are all over, never over 2000 but dropping very low at the same time the lights dim and jumping back up and over and over and over. The car feels like its a low rider on hydrolics when I give it gas, it bounces and bucks and is just all over, giving me whiplash....

I thought it must be the voltage regulator since I've shorted that out before and the car acted the same way. I pulled over and my dad came to see what was goin on... After letting it dry itself off from the engine heat and all, we started it and it started right up and I drove it home pretty much problem-free.

It's been about 2 weeks since then and now when I drive or just sit in traffic, the RPMs are ALL OVER... but my voltage meter doesn't go all erratic like it was, making me think it ISN'T a short in the voltage regulator this time...

My dad thinks it's the injectors (originals) or just the cold start injector.
I see how the symptoms could match but the fact that this started after the engine getting very wet just doesn't seem like injectors...

I've been thrown a code 33,34, and 45.
MAF
MAF
and rich exhaust.

One MAJOR MAJOR thing I think that I should mention... When I do get thrown a SES light...because it doesn't come on all the time... The problems just seem to stop! Not completely, but for the most part, it doesn't stumble at idle hardly at all, it runs without bucking me out of my seat, but with the light off, I'd just rather not drive it

I cleaned out the MAF with some cleaner bought from Advance Auto...
I plan on driving it tonight with the MAF unplugged to see if it does any better...Maybe somehow it shorted out with all the water.

My distributor is right where all the water drips down.... I know, I know...kick me... So maybe it has something to do with that???

If I throw the car into nuetral, it will stumble and die...but start up immediatly.
I've been looking for vaccuum leaks but haven't found any so far...
I have an air/fuel ratio gauge hooked up and it's just all over the place when the car is running...


Any ideas or opinions on what to look for next?? Anything is helpful!
Thanks guys

 

You need a new alternator. That's my guess.

This is completely off engine wise, but it's the same scenario.

I used to drive a 1998 Ford Expedition before my 1986 Camaro. The lights dimmed and the voltage meter used to travel from 13 to 18 in a small rev or acceleration. The lights got real bright then went off then came back on. But like yours, it only happened on occasion. The problem was the alternator. After I replaced it the problem hasn't came back.

 

alternator sounds bad to me also

 

its your alternator, mine did the same thing, but it never got wet, i dunno what was wrong with it but my rpms would increase and decrease then lights would dim, then just turn off then id be driving blind at night, i couldnt jump start it, volt meter going crazzzzzy. finally bought a new alternator and fixed the problem