Okay so I don't have much time to post this. My baby girl is puking today, so my internet time is limited. If you can please post linkys to threads, etc. that will help us diagnose this issue. Here goes:

Drove Aero Friday--everything was "normal" for my Aero. Latest issue has been not wanting to start due to something to do with electrical in steering column. Will start once I crank steering wheel back and forth for a bit.

Went to drive Aero Saturday--started up fine, once it got past the initial "start up idle" for 10 seconds, it went to some chugging rough idle and died. I restarted it again, and it tried to die again, but this time I was ready with foot on gas pedal. Gave it some gas and it revved up the idle to a point where it would stay running, but once I let off the gas or tried to put it in Reverse, engine died again! So, once again I get it started, keep foot on gas (gently) while I put it in Reverse, get backed out of driveway and start on my way.

Quickly learned if I was at a stop sign/light, that once I would try to get going it would act like a chugging beast barely able to get rolling with "pedal to the metal". If I stomped on the gas pedal a time or two, all of a sudden "VROOM!" and it would return to normal performance. Totally normal sounding/running engine at 40-60 MPH, but heaven help me if we had to go below 25-30 MPH or stop. Then it was a game to keep it running and "stomp, stomp" on the gas pedal to get it going beyond 10 MPH!! Not good, not good....

Also at "forced idle" and lower speeds, it has a super rich/gassy smell, which I've never had happen on this Aero. DH checked and replaced the air filter (I had bought one to replace it a week ago anyways...). Don't *think* it's the gas filter, but you never know. Bad gas? Sticky accelerator? Electronic issue? The "Check Engine' light is not lit, which is unusual because it comes and goes all the time. I'd think with a major running issue it would be on, but nope.

So.... any ideas guys?? I will check in later.... got to do some laundry now....

 

FIRST thing
SAFETY ISSUE, check for any gas leaks in line from tank and on top of engine. use a bright trouble light

does the check engine light come on when you turn the key on but don't start the engine. indicates the bulb is good.

only guesses at this point. super rich with strong gassy smell points toward failed Fuel Pressure Regulator FPR

or failed ECT engine coolant sensor.

super rich will cause idle problems also

how old and when was the Idle Control Valve last cleaned/replaced?

read codes....will tell us if EDU is in Fail Soft Limp Home mode due to a major component failure...causes extra rich run condition

 

check column wiring...

okay! any wierd FP noise? MAF wiring? vac. leak?

 

Well, got my baby girl to stop puking~! Her back was out, pinching the nerve to her tummy. Once the Chiro straightened her out, she took a long nap, and woke up hungry as a bear!! Ate a bunch of food, drank some apple juice & water, and has not tossed it up yet!! Hoo-ray!!! I love our Chiropractor!!!

Back to the Aero.... thanks for all the great information!! I will try to do some simple checks tommorow now that baby is on the mend. DH is limited on time, so he might not be able to help me till later in the week. If I have time tommorow I will limp it up to the Autozone up the road and have them pull codes. I will update as I know more...

 

I had similar experience a few years ago when I was on vacation in NC. Turned ou to be MAF sensor. Got ripped for a tow and raped for a repair--$500 total--for a part you can replace in about 10 minutes for well less that $100.

Try some MAF cleanser. If that works, I'd shop for a new one and replace it. On some MAF you can replace just the sensor portion (not the housing) and save some money.

 

I agree, MAF is the number one suspect. Replace the air filter while you are at it unless you already have. If you have one of those oiled cotton gauze filters, replace it with a paper one, or use a washable synthetic.

 

Already changed the air filter. DH changed it as the first thing when I told him about this problem. Forgot to mention--one short side of the rectangle of the filter was a "funny color" and "oily looking". Rest of filter was normal dirty paper filter looking. We were hoping that the air filter was the problem, but after restarting the Aero it was obvious that did not "fix" the problem.

The MAF--if I disconnect the plug would that help me do a quickie check if it is working properly??

It's raining quite a bit today, and with baby girl still recovering from "the pukes", she has been quite the "clingon" yesterday and today. So I don't think I will get a chance until tommorow to go to Autozone to have them pull codes....

 

On my '91 if the maf fails, you can unplug it and the engine will run well on stored computer program. I brought her home once that way.

Ken

 

Check the FPR vacuum line is not plugged or come off. Check Fuel pressure also at idle speed.
Then check ECT & Intake charge temp (ACT).
.MAF could make the engine run lean, or lack of power, cant think how it would increase fuel injection pulse time though. Good point... you can unplug the MAF & see if the situation improves. If not probably not the MAF.

Water in gas?

Aeroman.

 

Well, DH and I had 5 minutes Saturday night, so he unplugged the MAF sensor and started up the Aero. The Aero ran just as badly and rich/gassy smelling as when it was plugged in. DH had to keep his foot on the gas pedal to keep the idle high enough to keep the motor running. As soon as he let off the gas pedal it would just quickly "choke out" and die. And with the MAF unplugged, the "Check Engine" light lit up, so that works. I guess the MAF is not the issue... but I'm not totally taking it off the table, just in case.

Now we are on to diagnosing the other items.... and trying to find the time to limp it up to Autozone to have them pull codes....

 

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deleted. I typed here by mistake

 

i'd rather deal with a puking Aero engine any day than a sick little one.

hope your daughter is feeling much better.

could also be a stuck open fuel injector, but my first guess is still the Fuel Pressure regulator

if the diaphram in the FPR tears, engine sucks gobs of raw liquid gas thru the vacuum hose directly into the plenum/intake manifold. liquid unatomized gas doesn't start easily.

 

I would look at the FPR. In my moms van, we had similar problems, ended up being the pickup coil in the distributer. A weak fuel pump can also cause those kind of problems, which would show up when you test the regulator.