:sigh: Car is down. Help please

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
59
204
SE Texas
I was driving last night and gave the car some gas, and the rpm's just dropped and the car died. I didn't know what the hell was going on, so I coasted off into a parking lot and popped the hood. I changed the plugs hours before this problem and the car had been drove since the change (15 miles or so).

While in the parking lot, I pushed on the wires to make sure they were all connected, which they were, and the car was idling good. I revved up a few times without any problems so I figured that it was good to go. I attempt to get back on the road and when I got on the gas (normal accel) the car just bogged and died again so I went into the next drive rolling. Popped the hood and checked the vaccuums and didn't see anything wrong or unhooked. The car isn't throwing the CEL or anything.

Now to today.. I went to mess with the car and it'll crank at times, but once I give it gas it'll just drop the rpms and die:( I changed the fuel filter while hoping for it to be something simple like that though that didn't help the problem at all :)

Cliff Notes:
Car ran for 15 miles but while driving I attempted to speed up (about 75% throttle) and the car just gasped for air and died.
Car was idling good and was able to rev fine while parked, though once in drive and attempting to go, would just die.
Today the car will crank *sometimes* and if any gas is given at all, it'll die.

I was told to push on the valve on the fuel rail to see if it would "shoot" gas, and it was flowing decently so I really have no clue.


Suggestions :shrug:

I'm having someone come look at it around 6, just would like to know what to look for.
 
Ok, I was having a similar problem with my truck. I would give it gas and then it would sometimes just cut off then back on ... sometimes it was just cutting off too. I decided to try something simple before I got too stressed out.

My IAC has been going bad and I know this because it is making a whistling sound. I took it off, sprayed it with carb cleaner then after that dried, sprayed it with some WD-40 and put it back on. I also sprayed the element in my MAF with electrical cleaner and put it all back together. Problem solved. So if you have never replaced your IAC, try that. If you have replaced it, clean your MAF.

I don't really know what was wrong but ^ fixed my issue on my truck. It was doing basically everything you described your car doing. I'm not saying this WILL fix your problem, but it is worth a shot!
 
The IAC is good but I didn't pay attention to the MAF. It's worth a shot. I'll bring some electrical cleaner with me when I go back to look at it.

It's in a parking lot now and the Texas heat is beaming down right on it :nonono: I spent 2 hours messing with it earlier and the cement+sun was killing me :D

Also, I have full power and the alternator is only about 2 months old.

Keep up the suggestions. Hopefully Mike will chip in also :)
 
I was thinking the same about the fuel pump :shrug: I was told the valve that I pushed in was supposed to "spray" with lots of pressure, though it just sorta "flowed".

I assume I need to check fuel pressure?
 
definitly isn't the IAC ;)

Had someone assist me with it today and he firmly believes it's the fuel pump. We also fooled around with the regulator a bit. If im not mistaken, a fuel pump should be around $200 correct?
 
It'll work just fine? I called the local parts stores and they aren't able to get one until Tuesday. Oreilly was asking $206, Autozone wanted $249.99.

Please tell me if the focus pump will work the same and be cheaper :drool: