why does hot, humid weather kill my car?

[1994Vib.RedGT]

Ok so the three summers I have had my car; during the mid-summer months when it gets really hot and humid here, my car has problems. It will randomly surge and just die. Like at the gas station, I went in to piss, I came out, started it up, it surged up to like 1900 then just died, I tried to crank it 9 TIMES!!!!! on the 9th time it finally cranked up then ran fine, it died out on me 4 other times today to, like at a stop light, or sitting in a parking lot, and then on the way to this girls house, it died IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN! I was turning into the neighborhood with the clutch in, and in mid turn the car died and I had to recrank it once I got it straightened up. Also when I rev it after first cranking it has a MAJOR throttle delay, I have to rev to about 4500 to make this go away. On top of all this random dying, it is noticeably slower when these problems show their ugly head. It also smells kind of heavily of gasoline. Basically Im tired of this happening every summer, what is it, and how do I fix it?

 

[urban96]

hows the fuel pump?

 

[1TallMF]

Since this seems to happen when the outside air temperature gets hot, I'd start by checking electronic components that don't like to run hot. Have your TFI module tested at an auto parts store as well as you coil. To check the coil, simply use the OHM setting on a multimeter and check the resistance accross the primary and secondary circuits and compare these values with a new coil. If the resistance on either circuit is significantly higher, then get a new coil. A half-decent parts store should have the diagrams to show which two terminals are the primary and which two are secondary, its pretty simple. Oh, and when they check the ignition module, make sure they run the test a good 12 times at least, because usually they won't show signs of being bad until they get really hot, it'll probably test fine the first few times.
If both of these items check out, then also check your fuel pressure. But your fuel pressure would have to be very high to have the car run rich (since you said you could smell gas and there is a lack of power). The computer would shorten the pulse width of the injectors to couteract this. So I doubt this is the problem.

Last but not least, when was the last time you changed you cap/rotor, wires and plugs?
Best of luck

 

[1994Vib.RedGT]

well im not sure about the fuel pump, I know I have never changed it. I wasnt able to go to a parts store today to get a test though. As far as the cap/rotor, it was not long ago that I did that, maybe about a year. The wires have no been changed in a good while, but I would not think that would be a problem point in this type of deal would it?

 

[fawcett]

i had similar problems, i bought a whole new ignition system (money well spent, you wont regret it) i also have replaced my fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, and injectors. my problem was in the distributer replacing it made a world of difference all other ignition components just made my car maginally better. sounds like you could be missing some spark which could happen when electrical components get heat soaked. i took my car to a reputable speed shop and went balls out with Mallory components b/c the shop owner said MSD is known for blowing boxes (magnitos). he has nothing but killer cars at his shop and he explained to me that MSD is not the best way to go, "why else would all NASCAR cars have 2 ignition systems? b/c one is likely to fail at some point in the race so the back up is ready for the switch over)

so yeah it was expensive but i would do it again with out question, hands down very nice mods.
pm me with any questions,
-fawcett