First off, my apologizes if this is the wrong sub-forum.

So a while ago my 86 L98 began to buck and pull back, it seemed almost every time you went over a bump. It feels like the engine looses power for a few seconds, and then most times it would revert back to normal. It started throwing a check engine light - Code 33 which lead me to believe something was wrong with the MAF sensor. Did some research on that, and the symptoms appeared to be the same. So...replaced the MAF sensor relays first, and then the actual unit itself - to no avail.

We also replaced the ignition control module, as some of the symptoms pointed there as well.

A while back before this issue began, the car had a grounding problem being that the metal grounding strap in the distributor coil was missing. My thought was that maybe during that time, the coil/cap had somehow gotten messed up, and possibly causing this issue. Replaced both of those yesterday hoping it would fix the issue, and still...nothing.

I do know that I have an issue with the idle air control module, which I haven't replaced yet...actually I think it's just a bad connector. Fairly certain that this isn't related to the other problem, but wanted to add it in just in case there might be a connection?

I hate to keep throwing parts at it...and I'm running out of parts to throw!

Any help would be greatly appreciated, so I can get this car back on the road for the summer! --Thank you!

 

Bumps causing your engine to flicker on/off is typical of ignition problems. You have a loose wire or some form of a short that is grounding out.

Pull out your FSM and inspect your ignition system and see if you can uncover anything.

 

OP would you describe it as "fish biting"? or "Trailer Jerking"?

 

In a way...both. Sometimes driving along, maybe 40 or 50 MPH, 4th gear, it will feel like "fish biting" where the car kind of pulls backwards, and slows. That's usually when the engine light comes on. The same effect happens going over bumps.

It jerks as well, usually in a lower gear going slower. Not nearly as often as the above though.

 

as recommended above, follow ignition system from alt/battery to injectors. you will pass by the ignitiin switch and distributor on the way. i think you will find your answer here. cozy up to a fsm and in the mean time just start following wires and inspecting sheathin and connections.

 

I hate it when that happens. I once had someone stick a screw in my tire and I would describe it as the tire "balding" The car felt "sloppy" and could of killed me.

Have you checked the MAF for anything? Once had some piece of trash get up in my business and cause mayhem. I opened up the air ducts and found a piece of plastic trash on the MAF screen. The car would run just fine as long as you were gentle. once you pushed on it, all kinds of unpredictable would happen.

 

Brand new MAF. Sprayed all of the connections. Going to try and take a look at all of the connections and see if I can find anything that looks odd, broken, or frayed. OBDII would be a godsend on these cars!!

 

It happened to me on OBDII, C5 Z06. No codes. I had to drive it 40 miles like that. Got home and went through all I could think. I was messing with the vararam prior. How did trash end up in the air filter?was my fault I am sure, but an accident. If you messed around with it recently, Look at what you did.