Confused and In Need of Help

[DoubleThePower]

Seriously i give up. Nooo i'm not selling my car lol.

My car is still acting weird. I really dont know what it is. I do know that it's really annoying. One minute it runs really great, Then the next minute it doesn't have the power. Sometimes to me it feels like the trans, but other times it feels like i might need new spark plugs or something? The last time they were changed were 2 years ago.

I dont know what it could be? Sometimes the check engine light comes on. But it wont stay on long enough for me to get it checked out.

Last friday when the wire from the distributor to the coil pack broke and i replaced it, it felt like it rans 10 times better than b4.

Thanks for the help

Matt

 

[Chronos[AsG]]

Well if the check engine light is coming on its probably setting a code in continuous memory. You can check that yourself to see what code it gives. I forgot where the link to the procedure is, so check the FAQ and hopefully someone will come along with a link.

A while back I had to change the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) on my car. It was having similar symptoms to yours. It would work ok sometimes and sometimes it wouldnt work so well. The check engine light would also come on intermittently. It got a little worse over time (I was waiting for the part to come in) and right before I replaced it, it wasnt driving well at all.

Regardless, checking your code is the place to start.

edit: I think this link will be helpful. http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html

 

[DoubleThePower]

Everytime i check the code it throws up different things. Which i dont understand? But i can't even get a chance to check it with the check engine light on cuz it comes on and a minute later b4 i get to do anything it goes off. Today the check engine light came on and it felt like something in the trans and then went away. I just really dont understand

 

[RIO5.0]

Go buy a scanner for 25.00 that plugs into the diagnostic port on the back side of the passenger side fender,I use a Actron...It will spit codes both audible and visual, with a LED light and beeps...You plug it in...flick the switch, turn your key to the On position, flick the Test switch in the scanner and it spits the memory codes...You can do it multiple times for repeatability....I would start with the codes first...Most auto parts stores do it for free...The tool is well worth the 25.00....I got mine at Sears in the auto section...
Have you tryed this type yet???

 

[DoubleThePower]

I went to Autozone and they did that for me and the codes it spit up were cylinder 1 and 2 was running lean. The check engine light wasn't on that point cuz i can't get it to stay on long enough. The guy also said that it will spit out any kinda codes. Unless the light is on. Say if cyl 1 and 2 are lean, what could/would cause that?