'93 engine quit
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Silver Spring MD
Thanks for the latest, but the problem isn't *no* power. When the engine quits, everything else keeps working - heater, radio, headlights, dash lights, etc. I've been thinking about the fuel pump, and what I can't square is that when the engine's running, it runs perfectly; no missing and smooth acceleration.. It just quits every 2 miles or so, and has to sit a couple of minutes before it starts again. Then when it starts, it starts immediately. I tried restarting right after stopping and it just cranked. The new wrinkle was the engine occasionally quitting and immediately restarting by itself.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
BPshriner,
I still think you need to check the ignition system. Since this problem is intermittent, next time the problem occurs, immediately check for spark at the plugs. If you get none until the faulty component "cools off", then you've at least narrowed down the cause to something in the igntion system.
Ron
I still think you need to check the ignition system. Since this problem is intermittent, next time the problem occurs, immediately check for spark at the plugs. If you get none until the faulty component "cools off", then you've at least narrowed down the cause to something in the igntion system.
Ron
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Silver Spring MD
Well. I hope the fat lady has sung. It had a vacuum leak and a jammed IAC valve. Basically, the computer thought that the mix was too lean and kept enriching it until the engine bogged; sitting a couple of minutes would set it straight, only to repeat after restarting. Last weeks problem with the interrupted power to the EEC was a separate problem. Now I can get this sucker to the body shop to get the front bumper and fender fixed (Christmas black ice incident.)
I learned enough from y'all's advice, and several other related postings, to realize that the mechanic wasn't blowing smoke. Thanks to all!
I learned enough from y'all's advice, and several other related postings, to realize that the mechanic wasn't blowing smoke. Thanks to all!
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Silver Spring MD
Good news, I hope. My wife drove the car about 3 miles, no problems. I took it out immediately after, and it quit within a mile. As usual, it started back up, so I took it back to the shop and raised hell (pointing out big bills, no fix). By this afternoon, they found a bad wire leading to the ignition switch under the dash. Like another guy's who posted in another thread, the wire was bad inside the insulation. When there was no current, it was connected. After running a while, it looks like it heated up (arcing?) and broke the connection. Anyway, he didn't charge me anything. I sincerely hope that this proves to be the fix I've been looking for. It's been 90 days of irritation.
To be perfectly honest, I *do* think the stuff the mechanic fixed needed to be, and would have given me trouble down the road.
To be perfectly honest, I *do* think the stuff the mechanic fixed needed to be, and would have given me trouble down the road.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Silver Spring MD
Additionally - to give credit where credit is due - I took each and every suggestion I got from y'all and told the mechanic to check them this last time around. He hadn't heard about the bad pickup in the distributor possibly causing a problem.. Again, thanks to all, particularly rlmdad and JL_Aero.
