My 87 trans am has me stumped. This morning when taking kids to school I was unable to get the car past 20 mph. Service engine light on. Heavy smell of exhaust in car and it died a few times. After dropping them off (I walk the youngest up) it ran decent but lacked power, would not pass 3000 rpms, no check engine light. I recently changed coolant temp sensor due to spuradic bogging down and service engine light. It cured that issue and for a couple weeks ran great. Now this..... any idea's?

 

Not sure, and no help here, but that is exactly what my 85 T/A with TPI 305 is doing. I'll be following along to see if you fix yours...

My car has been sitting for a few years. At first it didn't start at all. I dropped the tank and installed a new pump, then it almost started. Changed the fuel filter and then it started and now it runs/drives exactly like you describe. I was thinking maybe that bad fuel got me so I picked up a set of used injectors to drop in maybe this weekend to see if it will get up a little better. I finally did get it to set a code (actually 2) so I read them. One is CTS too low and the other is MAF signal low (33).

Please post up if something works for you.

 

Thanks. When codes come up I am going to read them. This is my wifes project car. I have a jeep that is my project. Had a major issue with excursion so this is now my daily driver for a while... frustrated to not know the exact issue.

 

Almost sounds like a plugged cat. How old is it?

 

Pretty sure cat is stock. When I got under car the entire exhaust looks stock.

 

My money is on plugged cat!

 

Next paycheck will pick one up. Fingers crossed that fixes it.

 

I'd put a test pipe in and try it before I bought a high dollar converter and it not fix it.

 

I don't weld so either way its going to an exhaust shop. I'll just buy it. A fresh one couldn't hurt

 

Sounds like a plan. GL.

 

Thanks. Will keep you guys updated

 

Finally got tired of issue. So poked around under the hoid a little. Car was in a bad running spree (could not get it over 2000 rpms, nor pass 25 mph). I pulled over disconnected the tps, noticed the rpm change then reconnected it all while car running. I gave throttle and car was happy.. turned car off and on again. Same issue. I think I might need to get a tps . Thoughts?

 

Replaced the coolant temp sensor a few weeks back, helped a little. Replaced throttle position sensor today, made all tje difference. No more service engine soon light. Car running great except at wide open throttle where it seems to bog down, going to put 50 miles on it tomorrow see how that does. Next weekend will change spark plugs, fuel filter cap and rotor. See of that helps.

 

My car was bogging a WOT, turned out it was a small vac leak on the throttle body side of my PCV. The hose that went from the TB down to the valve cover had a small crack in it. I totally stumbled onto it by accident.

 

Thanks will check tomorrow.