Help Please!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Driving a sweet 89 Iroc
Help Please!!
I am in desperate need of some assistance. My car was running great. I stopped for a coffe and now it runs like bad poopy.
Heres the story.
1988 Stock Coupe with auto.
Running great when I stoped.
Had to punch it pritty hard to get back into trafic, heard no unusual noises, just the meloudious sound of a vett launching.
I let go of the trigger and it just feels funny. At crusing speed it seems to lurch once in a while. Also, when I leave a light it almost sounds like it is back firing. It really seemes to be missing.
Now here is the prob. If I was closer to home I could just look at this buy my self. I am about 300 miles away from home at work. I do not want to get my writs' tied to my ankles by GMC dealer. What can I look at right now, with no tools or parts?
Please help! :cry
Heres the story.
1988 Stock Coupe with auto.
Running great when I stoped.
Had to punch it pritty hard to get back into trafic, heard no unusual noises, just the meloudious sound of a vett launching.
I let go of the trigger and it just feels funny. At crusing speed it seems to lurch once in a while. Also, when I leave a light it almost sounds like it is back firing. It really seemes to be missing.
Now here is the prob. If I was closer to home I could just look at this buy my self. I am about 300 miles away from home at work. I do not want to get my writs' tied to my ankles by GMC dealer. What can I look at right now, with no tools or parts?
Please help! :cry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Is the service engine soon light on? If you can find somebody with a 5/8" wrench you could disconnect the negative battery cable for 2 mins, reattach and see if it clears up. Can't hurt to try.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (88BigGuy)
Just open the connector in the orange wire near the battery to disconnect power from the ECM.
Also, check it any plug wires are loose or burned.
You might remove the cap and press (carefully) the Schraeder valve to see if good fuel pressure; though had to tell without a gauge.
Worst case, a Chevy dealer isn't so bad; at least it's a big organization to come back on if things go poorly.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:21 PM 8/26/2002]
Also, check it any plug wires are loose or burned.
You might remove the cap and press (carefully) the Schraeder valve to see if good fuel pressure; though had to tell without a gauge.
Worst case, a Chevy dealer isn't so bad; at least it's a big organization to come back on if things go poorly.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:21 PM 8/26/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 123
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Help Please!! (88BigGuy)
Sounds exactly like what my car was doing. Turned out to be a bad fuel injector. If you can, go to wal-mart or any hardware or auto parts place and get a digital voltmeter ($15-30). Set it to read ohm's and unplug injector harness at each injector. You can get to at least six of the eight easily. Using a knife or slotted screwdriver, pop the metal clip off by prying at the ears and unplug the injector. Now put tester leads onto two contacts in injector and the OHM's should be around 17 or so. If you can't get to a voltmeter, try unplugging one injector at a time while it is running- when the car seems to run better, leave that injector unplugged. Try not to lose the metal clips on the harness. You may be able to drive the car with one ijector unplugged. Let me know if this works, if not, check back in and we'll try to walk you throug some basic troubleshooting.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Just open the connector in the orange wire near the battery to disconnect power from the ECM.
[Modified by scorp508, 1:15 PM 8/26/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 123
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Help Please!! (88BigGuy)
I messed up tranny will cause the car to feel like it is missing, but the backfire would more than likely point to the motor. Does the car miss when in park at a standstill? Miss at idle? Miss when revved up in park?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Driving a sweet 89 Iroc
Re: Help Please!! (Siveck)
Thanks for the help so far guys.
Here is an update. Just went out to start the car. It ran fine, idle, revers, reved at idle, and slow in drive all this was fine and normal.
Here is my thery and a question, I think it was really bad gas, if you agree what is a good additive to help clean it up. Also, if I F'ed up the timing, how can you tell. I am wondering if my WOT stint, screwed up the timing. The engine sounds great, no ticking, clunking, pining, scratching.
I have also disconected the battery for the next few hours to clear the codes. I figure if I have to have the general doctor it, it will give them fresh codes if there is an issue.
K.. :)
[Modified by 88BigGuy, 2:45 PM 8/26/2002]
Here is an update. Just went out to start the car. It ran fine, idle, revers, reved at idle, and slow in drive all this was fine and normal.
Here is my thery and a question, I think it was really bad gas, if you agree what is a good additive to help clean it up. Also, if I F'ed up the timing, how can you tell. I am wondering if my WOT stint, screwed up the timing. The engine sounds great, no ticking, clunking, pining, scratching.
I have also disconected the battery for the next few hours to clear the codes. I figure if I have to have the general doctor it, it will give them fresh codes if there is an issue.
K.. :)
[Modified by 88BigGuy, 2:45 PM 8/26/2002]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: Help Please!! (88BigGuy)
go to NAPA, and dump in a can of SEAFOAM. Will help if it is bad gas, and if a plugged injector, as most here are aware of, these injectors dont like any water in them.
[Modified by LarryK 87, 2:49 PM 8/26/2002]
[Modified by LarryK 87, 2:49 PM 8/26/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Driving a sweet 89 Iroc
Re: Help Please!! (LarryK 87)
Mass Air Flow Sensor is Gone. I am looking at $640 (Canadian) installed. Is it time to upgrade or is this a standard part. :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 123
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Help Please!! (88BigGuy)
There are two relays behind the battery. Replace these first. They are $7 US apiece. They will make it seem as if the MAF has gone bad. They should be replaced with the MAF anyway. Try those first, then if the problem is still there, buy a good reman MAF $160 US and replace it yourself. Its a very simple job. Just make sure you reset the computer afterwards. If you need more help, just post back. :)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Driving a sweet 89 Iroc
Re: Help Please!! (Siveck)
The dealership has stated they have checked everything and it seems to be the MAF. I just assume they have checked the relays.
What tools would you need to change just the MAF?
What tools would you need to change just the MAF?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
There are two relays behind the battery. Replace these first. They are $7 US apiece. They will make it seem as if the MAF has gone bad.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Driving a sweet 89 Iroc
Re: (scorp508)
Well guys, I wimped out :troll and am letting the General put a brand new one in. I am going to keep this car for awile and figure this is a good investment, hopefully no more money for a while.
Thanks for all of your help.
Thanks for all of your help.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: In
Re: Help Please!! (Siveck)
Just a quick fyi on removing the fuel injector harness. you do not have to remove the silver clip. you just push in on it instead of taking it off. yes, I learned this the hard way
cya, david
cya, david