This isn't new, I've been putting up with it for some time. But only recently have I started driving the car daily to work, and now this is really starting to bug me. It's a stock 84 SE, and has intermittent fits of doing what I can only describe with the subject title. It's like for a split second once in a while, the car is acting like it's out of gas, but it's not.

I did have a leak where the sending unit goes into the top of the tank, but the shop sealed it up with JB Weld. Here is where I described that problem... https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/093258.html#p6

It doesn't stop running anymore, it just has a little bump or jerk now & then, and there is no pattern to it. Nothing seems to indicate when it could happen and what causes it.

Do I still have a leak somewhere? Could this just mean I need a new fuel filter? Bad vacuum line? I don't mind admitting I'm rather ignorant about this, so help me out if you can.

WIth it being intermittent I would suspect a bad connection on the coil, injector, or module. Maybe even the fuel pump harness.
Possibly a vacume line that's barely attached or breaking

Does it occur more on a rough road, wet weather, or when you step on the brakes etc.? Does it occur at highway cruise speeds or just a light throttle at lower speed?

i had an intermintant problem i would advised checking all conections and making sure every thing is tight

quote Originally posted by 2farnorth: Does it occur more on a rough road, wet weather, or when you step on the brakes etc.? Does it occur at highway cruise speeds or just a light throttle at lower speed?

I drive on only smooth roads with the Fiero. Wet? It's always very humid here. I don't notice the "stumble" at idle, like when sitting at a red light, but during acceleration or cruising, and the speed doesn't matter, neither does the gear I'm in. Giving more throttle seems to help bring it out of it.

Mine did that with a bad plug wire (yes they were new).

Swapped out one at a tme until I found it using the old wires.

No indication of arcing at all, even in the dark.

quote Originally posted by mike-ohio: Mine did that with a bad plug wire (yes they were new). Swapped out one at a tme until I found it using the old wires. No indication of arcing at all, even in the dark.

In fact, I have had suspicions about the plug wires, but didn't put the two together. I just might replace 'em and see if that helps.

Mine turned out to be a clogged fuel filter. Others have reported a small hole in the rubber fuel line that connects the fuel pump to the metal feed line. On mine, it started out as intermittent but became progressively worse. Anything over half throttle and it would start to buck.

i would say a fuel filter also but somone beat me to it

Okay, I changed the fuel filter. That didn't fix it.

I had that problem for quite a while. Sometimes it would run great, then it would start the bucking. I changed everything, coil, wires, Ign module, fuel filter, etc. Turned out to be the timing gear. I found it when it quit completely. Put in metal gears and no more problem.

my 85 is doing the same...it seems to olnly do it between 2500 and 3000 rpms, and if you accelerate the check engine light comes on and it stops...i just replaced all the wires and plugs and that wasnt the problem...and the fuel filter...my dad seems to think its a sensor, but i'm not sure

quote Originally posted by pooder85seXY: my 85 is doing the same...it seems to olnly do it between 2500 and 3000 rpms, and if you accelerate the check engine light comes on and it stops...i just replaced all the wires and plugs and that wasnt the problem...and the fuel filter...my dad seems to think its a sensor, but i'm not sure

Well what does the check engine light say?

since its an 84 (84-85's had problems like this....) Corroded fusible link(s) If I recall theres one between the battery and the starter, and the 2nd offhand I cant remember - anyone else?

the check engine light said "check engine"

quote Originally posted by pooder85seXY: the check engine light said "check engine"

I hope that was a joke. I think what he meant was did you pull the codes from the CEL after it started coming on?

i took it in to have the codes checked but i couldnt find where to plug it in at...some one told me you have to take the panel off of the cigarette lighter and its back there...i haven't had time to check

That's where it's at.