I had this car pretty much given to me because the last two owners have gotten tired of being stranded. They are both decently educated in general mechanics, and have both replaced many parts, but it still randomly stalls and/or won't start.

I am waiting for it to stall/no-start on me, but I am looking for general ideas on what can INTERMITTENTLY randomly cause it to not run. It may start 2 minutes later, or it may take 2 months before it starts again.

If this is relevant: It has a slight hesitation/sputtering to it. It may be because the muffler is disconnected from the pipe or because I am pampering the gas pedal (for fear of being stranded)???

Any ideas? They said they have replaced the plugs, wires, dizzy, fuel pump, fuel filter.

 

That won't do it,getting any codes ? what does you'r idle sit at ?

 

Try verifying the ECU wiring or swapping the ECU itself

 

No check engine light and it hasn't stalled on me yet. It does however consistently sputter/hesitate if I raise the rpms too high too quickly. I am guessing it's either old gas (6 months old??) or maybe a fuel issue (supposed to be a new pump and filter, but original FPR).

I'll continue to drive it, use up the old gas, and wait for it to stall/no-start so I can dive in. Still open to suggestions for any known stall/no-start problems.

 

Dirty IACV,idle screw set to low. finish that tank and get a new fuel filter it wouldn't hurt

 

Update:

The gas was only 2 months old, but I drove it to almost Empty and refilled with fresh gas. No real problems noticed. Just that same little bit of hesitation if I give more than 40% throttle.

Until 2 days ago... 2 days ago, I immediately had install-stall and code 15 when I gave 40% throttle (while leaving home). So I crept around the block (under 30% throttle), parked it and took my worktruck.

Today, it still behaved the same...install stall at 40% throttle. Also code 15 (ignition signal). I took off the brand new dist cap and noticed a slight dark (arc'ed??) spot on the contacts of that little green/steel cylinder. Is that a clue??

I slightly filed off the apparently arc-singed contacts and re-installed the dist cap. After that little engineering, it would not fire at ALL!!! Simply turn and turn and turn...tried atleast 10 individual crankings.

I opened the dist cap again, wiggled all the wires, reinstalled cap, and now it fires up perfectly and runs GREAT. Whatever the problem is, I am close enough that I "struck a nerve."

If it does it again, I will try to diagnose more carefully around the inside of the distributor.

 

Today, I tried to start it, and it would not start at all. Tried about 10 times to be sure. So I opened the distributor cap, put it back on, and now it cranks but has the hesitation again. It idles fine, but has hesitation when you give it 40% throttle. While idling, I unplugged each sparkplug wire individually. Each resulted in a significant drop in idle.

All I can think about is that little green cylinder with steel ends. Looks just like a fuse, located between the ignition coil and the dist cap. Obviously, if the ignition coil's power is not getting out, i imagine it would cause this. It is not listed in the pic on the link below...
Is that a fuse?
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/DrOhm/di...torRepair.html

 

?? Still got code 15 and hesitating when throttled all the time, cold or operating temp. I'm expecting it to stall/no-start any time again. Where can I get a FSM for this car??

 

Still hesitating when gas pedal is revved up...hot or cold temp. I read a recent article that suggested unplugging the TPS and their car ran great. I unplugged my tps and had no change...still hesitates and bogs when you rev it up.

The only code I have seen is the code 15 (ignition output). I am not considering the obvious TPS code when I unplugged the TPS. I have cleared it.

I was checking random voltages with the meter, and I noticed that I pickup random voltage (0~19volts) THROUGH THE AIR if i wave the red probe near the distributor cap (while car is running)...even with the negative probe not touching ground. Normal??

 

I had the exact same problem. My dad gave up on it then gave it to me which I have it running for the first time in two years. He bought a new filter, distributor,etc. And it still would stall once the car warmed up. I then narrowed it down to the fuel pump. I checked the pump, tested it and it would still prime regularly as it should. I then checked the strainer because it is the factory pump from 91. The strainer was severely clogged as I suspected (original too) so I bought and installed a new one. On 2 year old gas, it started, warmed up and continued to stay at idle. The clogged strainer was blocking fuel flow which caused little to no fuel pressure to the pump. It now runs fine but I will be checking the fuel pressure regularly for the next few weeks. I hope this helps because I know it's a pain to deal with

 

I already have an updated thread started. It's called "Find the Misfire Challenge." I am going to delete this one soon, but lets continue on the updated thread. Please answer on the new thread, but....you had a code 15 until you cleaned the strainer?? Then it was great?