Strange Sputter, Any Thoughts?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Western New York
Strange Sputter, Any Thoughts?
Yesterday I was at the convenience store, got my coffee and scratch-off lottery ticket, and was sitting there scratching with the engine running, heater blasting, when this strange sputter occurred. It was like the key had been turned off momentarily, since the heater blower was also affected. Just, off, then back on. Very wierd. I thought maybe something electronic with the ignition system was going bad, but then that wouldn't affect the blower which I believe is part of the accessory circuit. It would have to be something common to the entire electrical system. Ignition switch??. The van ran well other than that sputter. It happened again later in the day. Just that brief sputter.
Anyone ever have a similar thing happen????
Anyone ever have a similar thing happen????
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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Prolonged idle with blower(s) running puts a heavy amp load on the alternator. The internal voltage regulator may be going bad. Some parts stores can check this for you. At the minimum, a voltage test across the battery terminals at should show around 14v with the engine running.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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i have a similar sputter. it does not happen under the same condition everytime. but one thing is consistent, under very light throttle, like inching forward slowly, she sputters. increase in throttle doesn't seem to help the sputter until she starts moving. it happens only once per startup... after which she runs normally.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
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From: Dallas, Texas
Use to happen to me when driving, The power would just go away like it had no fuel. Then it would pick back up and drive perfect for weeks.
I added a 4 gauge ground from the Alt to the frame and it never did it again. I also added a 150 amp alt so that was the reason for the 4 gauge wire to ground and a 4 gauge to battery postive..
I added a 4 gauge ground from the Alt to the frame and it never did it again. I also added a 150 amp alt so that was the reason for the 4 gauge wire to ground and a 4 gauge to battery postive..
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Western New York
Thanks for the input all. I'll keep it in mind. As long as she's still running, I can take one thing at a time and check the possibilities. Copper, the a/c is disconnected at the compressor for the winter, unplugged, (it saves a little fuel). The blower was at the 2nd highest setting. The alternator is a rebuilt about 3 years old. Stock output, nothing special.
Oh yeah, I forgot, the vehicle is a '94, 3.0.
Oh yeah, I forgot, the vehicle is a '94, 3.0.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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himthere, i wouldn't really recommend disconnecting the ac compressor. before i use to thought of saving fuel in winter by not running the compressor (like you did). but i found that just about every summer my ac would crap out. the last time i brought her in for ac work, i asked the technician what i can do to prevent it from happen every year. he ask if i run my ac periodically, like once a month? of cus i answered that in winter i don't use it at all.
long story short, he commented that the o-rings inside the compressor will dry out if the compressor oil is not circulated periodically. i have since then used ac (in defrost mode) over the winter. and its been 5 years since i've had a compressor failure.
long story short, he commented that the o-rings inside the compressor will dry out if the compressor oil is not circulated periodically. i have since then used ac (in defrost mode) over the winter. and its been 5 years since i've had a compressor failure.
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