I just wrote a long post and somehow lost it before submitting. Hopefully this one will be more precise anyway. I am a first time poster, and I am hoping someone here can help me solve this problem before I go insane.

I recently replaced every gasket from the intake upwards, replaced the dist pickup coil, module, plug wires, cap/rotor, coil. Followed a repair manual to reset valve lash. Followed instructions here to set timing. Nearly every fuel/air sensor (IAC MAF TPS etc) has been replaced within the past 2 years. Fuel pump approximately 4 years ago, but with very little mileage on it. I cannot find any vaccuum leaks.

On jack stands I thought the engine was perfect. Good start, idle was a bit high but worked its way down, good throttle response. On the test drive though any significant load (about half throttle) would cause it to die instantly. I unplugged the knock sensor for trial and error, and ANY throttle would cause it to die instantly.

My main question is this: are the temp sensor AND/OR knock sensor possible causes of this? Or am I missing something completely?

My tach is also screwy (reading high-maybe double) if that means anything.

 

Check the fuel pressure.

 

Thanks for the reply. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, but maybe I can borrow one from an autoparts store. I really don't think this is a fuel pressure problem, but I will check and post it.

 

Injectors?

 

you double check timing and good to check fuel pressure while you at it also seems like you did some major work so i would start with the basics like timinig fuel and ignition but sounds like it could be either timing or fuel

 

I am leaning away from this being a fuel problem. If the pressure was low or the injectors were faulty I don't think it would produce the INSTANT shutoff that I'm getting. I'm pretty sure this is something to do with the Electronic Spark Control, that I know very little about. I think it is forcing itself out of timing for some reason. Any clues?

 

yea doest hurt to check are you sure its not running rich do you smell fuel etc also check to see if injectors are good as knock sensor and air/fuel/timing goes hand on hand go over your ignition system read your spark plug and check to see if your timing is correct with timing light as thats the basic starting point then branch out from there example if your timing is of and knock sensor detects Pre-detonation then your timing will be way off also check to see if you can pull any codes start with the basic then branch out to trace the exact problem

check ignition coil and related parts