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fiero suddenly started to run real bad, will look tomorrow, have some pointers? by Edwin
Started on: 10-19-2013 04:43 PM
Replies: 9 (448 views)
Last post by: Edwin on 02-17-2014 08:26 PM
Edwin
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Report this Post10-19-2013 04:43 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Hey all, hope you can give me some ideas..
This week my fiero didnt run as good as usall, it stalled once this week and wouldnt start right after (but cranked fine).
I looked at some things and eventually disconnected battery and after it started again.
It seemed better but not a 100% Then a day later on the highway it was about stall once aswell. So something was wrong but it was still drivable.

I had a O2 sensor error a little while ago so today going over things i replaced that since i didnt find anything else odd (had an old one as spare).
Also looked at the front row of spark plugs, they looked fine. Took the battery off to reset the earlier code and now the car is completely undrivable.

Idle seems normal or pretty close to that and full throttle goes fine. Anything in between is a complete mess, the car stumbles, has no power, suddenly picks up and loses it again. Almost stalls and then goes again.
And during all that there are no errors, only when the car actually stalls and the engine dies the check engine light is on but it doesnt give a code.
Had winaldl hooked up, the log is here: https://dl.dropboxuserconte...31019_190643_LOG.txt
Oh the car is an 88 fiero formula v6 auto. Other then that it has a truleo intake and headers.

I dont really have any idea yet so i'm just going to have a look at the log now and start checking the usual stuff tomorrow.
Hope you guys have some pointers on where to look!

Thanks,
Edwin
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northstar
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Report this Post10-19-2013 05:33 PM Click Here to See the Profile for northstarSend a Private Message to northstarEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
check your fuel,,gas gauges are usually wrong.
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Edwin
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Report this Post10-20-2013 12:11 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Thanks for the suggestion!
Been busy today, didnt really had any idea where to start so i just started a tune-up, changing plugs, wires, etc.
During this i noticed that the ground cable bolt on the engine was a bit loose.
I guess that was the cause of my stumbling car because apart from some little tune-up maintenance stuff that was the only thing i found.
And sofar the car is running good again, see how it goes
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Edwin
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Report this Post10-26-2013 01:57 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Well the running good part ended with my first longer drive (about 70 miles).
At the end it stalled a two times and on the way back several times. I'm starting to think its heat related. Slowly on the highway i managed to get the car home (did stumble a few times but didnt stall).
The engine bay gets pretty hot on a long drive, the headers and a lean code now and then probably dont help either.
Think the lean codes are from an exhaust gasket leak (not sure) or because of a few tiny holes in the welds on the headers or perhaps the egr delete.
I'm not a 100% sure but i think its electrical. The center console was still loose so i checked the ECM but it didnt really feel hot.
Let it cool for half an hour and managed to get it home driving slowly and carfull over the highway the last 50 miles or so. It stumbled a few times but i got home
The ignition module is already moved away to a cooler place. My tach never works really well but it seemed to jump more when the car stumbled, not sure a tach issue (filter) can cause this tho?
Anyway its not to easy to get parts here quickly. The electrical parts werent available, only part i could find was a new fuel filter so got that to be safe on the fuel side of things.
Tried to measure my fuel pressure aswell but my tools didnt fit on the valve, the truleo sits too low
Guess i'll order a tach filter and and a new pickup coil (looked pretty bad aswell) and have another go with the exhaust leaks again!
To be continued i guess...
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MarkS
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Report this Post10-26-2013 02:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for MarkSSend a Private Message to MarkSEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Vacuum leak might be a cause, intermittent MAP sensor maybe. Similar to a problem I had awhile back, mine turned out to be the O2 sensor.

BTW, where did you get a picture of my cat? 8> ).

BR's,

Mark

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86 SE V6 4 speed
86 SE V6 Auto
2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe
2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous
2001 Olds Silhouette (AKA The Band Van)

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gem1138
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Report this Post10-26-2013 02:59 PM Click Here to See the Profile for gem1138Send a Private Message to gem1138Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I posted my saga, "88GT Stumped" a little while ago and saw this post. O2 sensor eh? mmmmmm
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Edwin
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Report this Post10-27-2013 03:57 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Thanks, i've read your "saga", as i understood it, its still ongoing? If so, goodluck!
Yeah this problem sucks, now i just have to go drive and see if i end up on the side of the road again just to know if the problem is still there..
Just seems to be at a point where the engine is ok but all the parts around it are dying.
Oh well thx for the tips, ordered a bunch of parts, to be continued!

And the cat in my avatar image is my bengal cat Leelo, she was in my Fiero once for a drive, she hates it

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Edwin
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Report this Post02-15-2014 04:18 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Well a quick revival to add the recent events on this story and i guess finish this thread so later readers can skip it.

After the last post the car drove fine for some time but on the slightly longer drives problems still started to come back.
For i while i never drove too far with it and everything seemed fine. During this period i installed new parts, mostly ignition bits, wiring, other small bits and the iac.
Then the problems really returned and this time on shorter distances aswell, so i stopped driving it and worked on it in the weekends but soon it even died on longer test runs.
Still no codes and with the usual ignition bits already checked i decided to check the fuel pressure, order a gauge, tubing and some other items.
Car stood still for two weeks or so while i waited for new parts to arrive.
Got back on it today, started the car but it died right after it picked up (later i noticed the FP fuse was broken btw :P ).
Tested the fuel pump and it worked but it did sounded a bit odd (not the usual buzz but tk, tk, tk).
So i decided to install the pressure gauge, guessing the pump might be at the end of its life.
On contact it showed around 35 psi on a quick look so i decided to try and start the car.
When i started the car when it picked up on the startermotor it made an odd noise so i quickly stopped. Tought i might have left some tools on the engine or something.
Had a look but didnt see anything and decided to try again. This time with my dad watching it gave a pretty loud metal on metal like bang that seemed to come from the firewall side of the engine.

When i rotate the crank the distributor turns, havent restarted it after that loud bang, dont think i even dare!
Guess its time to open the motor and see whats up, first its time to look for a new daily driver unfortunatly. No idea where this suddenly came from.
If its bad i'm going to inspect the rear frame rails first and decided on that. During some work earlier i noticed that although there isnt much rust in the trunk the open bit on top between the two plastic wheel well cover parts seemed badly rusted.
Hopefully that will be ok and i have a new project
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Report this Post02-16-2014 09:32 AM Click Here to See the Profile for fierosoundClick Here to visit fierosound's HomePageSend a Private Message to fierosoundEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Edwin:

Tested the fuel pump and it worked but it did sounded a bit odd (not the usual buzz but tk, tk, tk).
So i decided to install the pressure gauge, guessing the pump might be at the end of its life.
On contact it showed around 35 psi on a quick look so i decided to try and start the car.



Bad fuel pump. Probably why it blew the fuse too.
Low fuel pressure would have been the cause of your drivability problems. It should be at about 45psi at key-on.
With low pressure it will still idle fine, but will stumble once you get into the throttle - injectors can't provide adequate fuel.

As for the cause of your new found noises. As you suspect, maybe some tools falling down behind engine (done it).
I'd find it odd and unlikely that your engine suddenly decided to "die" now...

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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 02-16-2014).]

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Edwin
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Report this Post02-17-2014 08:26 PM Click Here to See the Profile for EdwinSend a Private Message to EdwinEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Yeah i really dont understand that either but it definatly came from the engine.
But thanks for the info, atleast it looks like that that part of the problem is found then

[This message has been edited by Edwin (edited 02-17-2014).]

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