For the past few days my car would stutter and hesitate randomly while driving, and the tach's rpms would just drop as if it temporarily lost power. It got pretty bad yesterday so I parked it and didn't drive it.

I went to start it up this morning to pull it into my garage, but the car wouldn't start.

- All electronics work
- I can smell the gas when the engine is trying to start
- Spark plugs are new
- Running Digital 6 with external coil (all of it's grounds are secure)

Any ideas?

 

main relay?

 

My fuel pump still turns on, could the main relay still be bad?

How can I check to see if there is spark?

 

Stick a screwdriver into the end of one the sparkplug wires and hold it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from a good grounding spot. Have someone crank the motor and see if a spark jumps from the screwdriver shaft to the chassis or wherever you used as a grounding spot.

 

Take a look at the cap and rotor to make sure they are fried. Also, if you have a spare plug, use that instead of a screwdriver, so you don't take a risk of damaging the plug cap. Have you ever changed the fuel filter? Even if you smell SOME gas it may not be feeding enough to start the car. Good luck.

 

Well I just went outside to try and start the car one more time. After several cranks it finally started, but it runs like c-r-a-p. Idling EXTREMELY low and when I press the gas pedal, it takes like two seconds for the rpms to rise (barely), and then the engine dies.

 

sounds a lot like bad fuel filter or cap and rotor to me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cstem &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds a lot like bad fuel filter or cap and rotor to me. </TD></TR></TABLE>

whoops - overlooked that. I'd check those both too..not main relay

 

I'm going crazy!! I went outside to start it again and it started up fine. Drove it into the garage fine. Shut it off, chilled for a few minutes and started it back up FINE. What the hell is going on?

 

Its a miracle, praise the lord

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NonAutoX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Its a miracle, praise the lord</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do you care to make a donation?
1-866-9SAVEME

Not a plug for the game, just a funny number to call.

 

Bump

 

Definitely sounds like an ignition system problem - my friend had a similar problem over about 2 weeks and finally it just died for good, but it still made spark with the screw driver trick, and loosening the fuel return let out a good stream of fuel. -That is one thing to check - pull the fuel return line from the fuel rail and put it in a bottle, if you turn the ignition to on (not start) it should fill that bottle pretty quick. We replaced several things in the distributor -cap rotor and I think it was the ignitor that finally made it run again. Also check the connections on your MSD, especially ground.

 

alternater problem bro

im pretty sure does ur rpm dont work ur power feel weaker that the problem

 

hey man that phone number is hilarious
five easy payments
and giant lazers
that is hilarious

 

Just wanted to update you guys. I replaced the stock spark plug wires with some NGKs and everything is gravy again.

 

good for j00

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybridreams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just wanted to update you guys. I replaced the stock spark plug wires with some NGKs and everything is gravy again.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

How has your car driven since the plugs?

My gf's car is doin the same exact thing. I changed her plugs bout 6k ago, and replaced them with OEM NGK's.

I just bought an alternator, and was goin to replace it but would rather spend less $$ if i have to.

ANY additional information would greatly be appreciated.

(sorry bout the thread-jack)


-Dave

 

if u had needed an alternator you wouldve known the battery light on the car wouldve went on

 

not <u>always</u> would that happen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civic2003 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">alternater problem bro

im pretty sure does ur rpm dont work ur power feel weaker that the problem </TD></TR></TABLE>

the alternator has absolutely nothing to do with the way your engine runs..

 

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

How has your car driven since the plugs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Perfectly.

 

Sounds like the ICM. (ignition control module) Especially since you said it started fine after you let it cool down.
Take yours out and have it tested. I think places like Autozone and Advance can test them for you. If you have your helms manual, you can test it yourself.