This occurs randomly. Car seems to run fine. Then, at different speeds and in different gears, the motor acts like it shuts off though it is still barely running. If I clutch in and rev the heck out of it, it won't rev past 4-5k. If I leave it in gear (or put it back in gear after reving the heck out of it) the only thing that keeps the motor from stalling completely is the transmission (i.e. momentum of car). Usually while still rolling and in gear it will suddenly come back to life and run as if nothing happened. I've recently swapped computers and ignition coils so I know it isn't those two things. Also, when it does completely die, its only three or four cranks before the battery dies. When the car is running properly, the battery seems strong. Anyone have any idea what this could be? Please help, I'm really frustrated!!

 

What car and engine u have? And cel's? Does ur car bog when it seams to be running fine or only when it loses power. Check ur spark plugs. Does it do it when the car is warm or cold or all the time?

 

Car is in the sig. Just changed spark plugs also. Happens when car is warm. It acts acts like it is losing spark. Not sure, though. Need to get this fixed asap.

 

What do u mean car is in the sig? If u think it's losing spark, do u hear ir backfiring or does the tach jump up and down when it does this?

 

Tach doesn't misbehave. The car is a 1993 DX hatch with a B18C as noted in my signature. No sputtering or backfiring. When it dies completely it cranks but there doesn't seem to be any spark. Then the battery dies from cranking it. I think I'll swap distributors today and see if that takes care of it.

 

you might check the main relay. Theyre notorious!

 

Does the check engine light ever come on? When u changed the spark plugs did u notice if they were running rich or lean?

 

Its running lean. So far, I've eliminated the ecu, distributor and rotor, plugs, cat. Thought I had it solved, but it cut out on me on the freeway tonight, then kicked back in after a couple of seconds. The dash lights work, so its not like I'm losing all electrical power, it acts like the motor loses spark. It doesn't buck like when a car runs out of gas, it simply cuts out and has virtually no power (pull). Its driving me crazy, so please help! I'm starting to think I've got a bad wire or connector to somewhere, perhaps between the ecu or distributor?

 

none of the dash lights blink or flicker or anything like that when it happens?

 

Dash lights seem fine. I don't think its a total loss of electrical power, its just the motor that dies.

 

something is grounding out..

Stupid answer.. but do you have your reverse lights hooked up .. on the wiring harness.. .. the ones that come out of the tranny? I had a issue once where the harness was touching my tranny and it would do something like your reporting.

If there hooked up.. Check other grounds and powers .. something is touching each other.. or is while your driving.. Check taped wires and stuff.


Also. can you get us some pics of your engine bay.. maybe we can spot something wrong.