Hey all, I've got some problems with my 85 V6 that I am hoping some of you might be able to help me out on. The motor was replaced a couple years ago.

1. Engine runs fine when its cold (2-3 minutes) and then runs very badly, missing at all RPMs and almost stalling at idle and when taking off.

2. Check engine light comes on occasionally, Code 32. I've checked for vacuum leaks, but all seems well. I'm guessing I'm gonna hafta get a new EGR solenoid, but is there any way I can test which part of the EGR system is acting up? Or can I disconnect it altogether?

3. Low oil pressure after engine is warmed up. The needle hovers right above the red, and doesn't move at all when driving. I recently changed the oil and oil filter also.

4. Tach is all over the place. I'm going to replace the tach filter, but is there any way a bad filter could be causing engine problems like I have? Can I just bypass the tach filter altogether?

Thanks to those who respond, I'm sorry to be asking what may be dumb questions but I don't really know anyone around where I live that knows much about cars, let alone Fieros. Thanks!

Brad

You can jumper out the tach filter by shorting the connections, where it plugs in, together. A bad tach filter can ground your coil and ignition module and damage them. It also will make the tach needle bounce all over the place.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 06-15-2003).]

I had tach filter problems, but I was lucky enough that it didn't affect the operation of the engine.

However, I agree - you can simply jump the connections and you'll have a working tach again. You can simply disconnect the tach filter to see if you notice any immediate improvements in the running of your engine. If it still doesn't run right, then you have other problems, too...

quote Originally posted by avengador1: You can jumper out the tach filter by shorting the connections, where it plugs in, together. A bad tach filter can ground your coil and ignition module and damage them. It also will make the tach needle bounce all over the place.

I shorted it out earlier, this keeps the tach from jumping around, doesn't help the engine any however. Ah well...

I see you live in Hamilton - you're a neighbour! I live in Burlington.

Ok, so now you know you have a tach filter problem, but it's not related to your poor running problems. It sounds to me as if you have an electrical fault (possibly a bad coil, a couple of bad plugs, perhaps even a bad distributor cap).

When was the last time you did any sort of tune-up on this beast?

The tach jumping around is not necessarily the result of a faulty tach filter.

It sounds to me like its the ignition control module going bad. They are sensitive to heat, and they will also make the tach jump around when they start going bad, like a faulty tach filter would.

As mentioned it could be another area of your ignition system too, or possibly multiple problems in the system. But the jumpy tach would lead me to suspect the Ignition module. Good luck!

quote Originally posted by Lambykin: I see you live in Hamilton - you're a neighbour! I live in Burlington. Ok, so now you know you have a tach filter problem, but it's not related to your poor running problems. It sounds to me as if you have an electrical fault (possibly a bad coil, a couple of bad plugs, perhaps even a bad distributor cap). When was the last time you did any sort of tune-up on this beast?

Hey, don't see too many people from this area on PFF. I work in Burlington too!

I recently replaced the distributor cap and plug wires... spark plugs were fine, I checked the gap on the front three and they were good. When I had the distributor cap off the ignition module looked a little rusty, guess that'll be the next thing to get replaced. Might as well replace the coil as well.

A thought occured to me, my tach always seems to be running pretty high, my idle is around 2500 RPMs and I know the engine isn't running that fast... could a previous owner have replaced the tach/oil pressure gauge with a 4cyl gauge? Would this cause the tach to read high and the oil pressure to never move?

Thanks!

Brad

You work in Burlington? Well, if you happen to see a silver Fiero that looks stock, but has a bit of a rumble to it, that's mine.

I suppose it's possible someone COULD have swapped out the original tach with one from a 4 cylinder, but why? If they did swap it out, then yes, the tach would always read higher than normal. There is only one way to know for sure - pull out the tachometer itself and look at the capacitor at the very top of the circuit board. If it has a value of 0.01uF, then you know this tach came from a car with a 4 cylinder....OR, your car was originally a 4 banger, and someone put in a V6 without performing the mods to the tach.

If you're not comfortable ripping it all apart, or you need assitance, let me know - you aren't that far away.

BTW, my name is Brad as well...

quote BTW, my name is Brad as well...

Alright, this is getting weird

Guess I'll pull out the tach gauge tomorrow. Just a lotta bolts 'n electrical stuff to pull off. No problem there. I'd better get it fixed, I was showing my brother the car last night and the tach needle must've hit the oil pressure needle

Is there anything different about the wiring for the oil pressure gauge from a 4cyl to a 6 cyl?

Thanks!

(Hamilton)Brad

I don't believe there are any differences in the wiring, but I could be mistaken.