I know, another CEL thread, but I'm not sure where else to go. I'm driving a '95 EX automatic, and I've been having some trouble with it on the highway. I haven't had a chance to check the code on the CEL, which I know is pretty n00b, but I just don't have the time with classes as of late. Basically, when I jump on the throttle on the highway (in fourth, generally while merging or changing lanes), I feel a noticeable lack in power, and when the Tach hits 5000, the CEL blows up and the RPM won't go any higher (until I let the tranny shift down to third and back up again). The CEL stays on until I turn the car off and on again, and it drives normally, but I can reproduce this ad-nauseum. If I'm gentle on the throttle on the highway, I won't have any problems, but when I accelerate to change lanes, I can feel it coming, and sure enough it does. Sorry if I seem n00b, but I don't know as much about cars as I should (I'm a computer guy,) and this is my first post on the forums, so go easy on me!

 

Hope someone can give you a little help with that.... ...let's kick this post to the first page so people look at it...!

 

^^ Up top -- Anyone seen something like this before?

 

Without a code to go by, it's gonna be a guessing game. But I suspect this has more to do with something affecting the system as opposed to a sensor failure (would have set a "Hard Code" (lamp would stay on until cleared)).

Would you discribe the feeling like driving into an increasing head wind, and by pressing the accelerator not much else happens? Like pushing against a pillow?
Or do you feel a difinitive cut-off?

P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by F22Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^^ Up top -- Anyone seen something like this before?</TD></TR></TABLE>
What's that trouble code?

 

Okay, I'll definitely stop by AutoZone or someplace with an ODB2 interpreter ASAP -- but the feeling is more like driving into a headwind, it's not a complete cutoff in power, but it's noticeably less power than in lower gears, and I assume since I'm traveling at a higher rate of speed, it wouldn't drop into a lower gear when I press down on the throttle heavily. It's understandable that you can't really help me without a code, so I'll get that checked out as fast as I can, but if you have any ideas as to what might be causing this, it would be cool rather than just stabbing in the dark.

Thanks again guys! (Great work with the forums, by the way).

 

What we're up against is this.
At ranges approaching WOT, we're not only in the realm of high fuel flow requirements, increased ignition loads but high exhaust flow requirements as well.

We also have to consider the vehicle comes equipped with not only a rev limiter, but a speed governor as well. Since these sub-systems don't traditionally set the lamp (or a code) during their day-to-day operations, I'd put them near the bottom of the list of suspects.

Next, we can consider Fuel/Ignition which wouldn't necessarily set a hard code (so we may be it the right church pew this time), but when fuel delivery suffers-it's usually accompanied by surging and miss-firing, as does Ignition system. You haven't mentioned any of this. Suspect list?, somewhere in the middle.

Third, we must harkin back to Basic Engines 101. The engine is actually an air pump to which we add both an ignition system and a fuel system to develop more power. The basic rule of thumb is that for all the air drawn in, it's got to be pumped out (and then some). Basically, the engine is traditionally throttled by restricting the amount of air which is drawn in by the use of a butterfly valve(throttle-body). it works quite well. But could we also throttle this same air pump by putting a butterfly valve in the exhaust? Absolutely. Would we?, no. But would a blockage in the exhaust system restrict power, particularly at WOT (or under heavy load? Yes.

I'm suspecting the Catalytic Converter, but I'll wait until the codes are in (if any)

 

hmm sweet screen name

 

Alright, thanks P, (and Mole...) I'll check it out this weekend and report on it once I'm done, thanks again for the response, you really know your stuff!