Thumper

Help me figure ot what's wrong with my car. When I take off I can hear and feel the car stumble and pop. Almost like the feeling if you have ever got your distributor wet. If I nail it it will still jump out and it rev's OK, but when I take off normal I can tell there is something not right and it's getting worse. On Saturday I changed the plugs(the old ones looked OK) and the fuel filter. What else could it be? I know what I'm thinking but I want to wait until I get a few responses to see i I'm on the right track. Actually I have 3 things in mind. What do you think?

MarkBychowski

Which car '89 or '95? If it's the '89 I would think it's something with the distributor advance (that year has electronic advance, right?). Have you tried putting a timing light on it?
Obviously if it's the '95, the above doesn't apply. The only thing I would say there is the Opti is going.

Beach Bum

Thumper,

With my Formato chip I have the same problem... it was real bad, but after some tinkering its barely noticable right now, and at wot it is not there. I simply played with the TPS sensor.... I finally found a sweet spot where it was minimal.

Not sure if this is related to your problem.... but worth a shot.

good luck
Beach Bum

Thumper

Thanks for the input, I guess it would help if I told you which car. It's on the '95. I'm thinking it's either the ignition coil, the PCM, or the opti. I don't notice it at full throttle only part throttle.
Beach--My mind is not functioning right now, too many things going on. TPS sensor???

ralph

TPS = Thottle position switch, but i don't think you can adjust them on later models anyway.

BrianCunningham

Check your wires, how old are they?

Mine sounded similar when they started to go.

Make sure the waterpump isn't leaking onto the opti.

Thumper

Thanks Ralph. Lately I've been having a lot of Brain cramps

Brian--I thought about the plugs and your 2nd thought was mentioned to me yesterday also. I hope not. How can I check for a leaking waterpump?

BrianCunningham

Just put your hand under it.
check the belts and the water level

Being a 95 it's a vented optispark, but the vent lines can go bad, after that Texas heat all my wires, and a lot of the plastic was toast. After dark tonight, leave the engine running and pop the hood. If the wires are leaking any current you'll see the light show!

Thumper

Thanks Brian, I'll check it tonight. After thinking about it I'm really thinking you might be right about the water pump because the car has also been runnung a little hotter than normal lately. Thanks again and I'll let you know what I find out.