So a while back i noticed that after i had been driving for a while, my car's tach needle would start jumping around like a freakin jackrabbit, even though my revs were staying normal. I paid little mind to it thinking as long as the motor was running fine it was no big deal and it was probably just a busted sensor. Well I was wrong. A little while later, i was driving and the tach started going all crazy and then the car started jerking, only a little bit at first, then a lot, until finally it died. I started it again and it worked for a little bit and then did it again. Finally it died and wouldn't really start again--it cranked over but wouldn't idle, only rumble around pretty hard and then die again. Finally I let it sit for a few hours, and when i came back, the car started just fine and drove again for like 5 or 10 minutes before the same symptoms started occurring. I initially thought the tach problem and the motor problem were independent of each other, but now it seems like they occur at the same time. I just replaced the fuel filter today since i had one sitting around and just in case that would work, but it made no difference. HELP ME! thanks in advance

 

hmm... check the map sensor...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iwubmybb4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmm... check the map sensor...</TD></TR></TABLE>

what does a map sensor have anything to do with this problem.

its in the dizzy. I believe the ignitor. I know someone can back me up on this.

 

Almost sounds like a bad alternator. Anytime I've seen an alternator die, the tach and speedometer stop working and the engine eventually dies after the battery runs out of power.

Does the starter sound like it's cranking at full power? If not, you might want to check your electrical system.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bubs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Almost sounds like a bad alternator. Anytime I've seen an alternator die, the tach and speedometer stop working and the engine eventually dies after the battery runs out of power.

Does the starter sound like it's cranking at full power? If not, you might want to check your electrical system.</TD></TR></TABLE>

actually, i replaced the alternator recently because of what you just described. it's not the same problem.

And as far as the dizzy goes, I recently had IT replaced too because of a supposedly bad ignitor (turns out it was just giving a weird code cause the 02 sensor wires melted on the exhaust manifold) =\ But yeah, new dizzy... any possibility that has something to do with it?

 

What about the distributor? Sounds like that may be going bad. Buddy of mine had a crx that did the same thing turns out he needed a a dis.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kulrevon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

what does a map sensor have anything to do with this problem.

its in the dizzy. I believe the ignitor. I know someone can back me up on this. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Same thing happened to me, crazy idle and then crank no start. Turned out to be a bad ignitor but i ended up just replacing the whole dizzy with a remaned one.

good call kulrevon

 

It really sounds like an alternator problem. I realize you just replaced it, but it is no doubt a remanufactured alternator correct? The remanufactured ones(especially from Autozone and Advance) tend to go bad all the time. That's why they have a pretty decent warranty I think. I got three bad ones in a row once from Autozone.
Just something to think about, it very well could be your ignitor too.

 

It's the ignitor.

 

I can guarantee everyone here it is Not the alternator. I am familliar with the symptoms of an alternator going bad, and this is by no means that. I am inclined to agree with the ignitor prognosis.. I guess all i want to know now is what would have made it go bad like this? I mean i JUST had the dizzy replaced about 2 months ago. I don't want to have to pay to have it done again, so if there's anything the mechanic wouldve done that couldve caused this, lemme know. luckily that distributor is still under warranty, so all i will have to pay for is labor unless i can prove he did something wrong

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by monalisa overdrive &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can guarantee everyone here it is Not the alternator. I am familliar with the symptoms of an alternator going bad, and this is by no means that. </TD></TR></TABLE>

what are the symtoms of when an alt. goes bad? I think mine is going out.