Werid Jerking, CEL Light on,Now its normal??

[LaserRS41653]

Ok. First thing to take not of is that i have zero mods done to my car. Its a stock 1991 LaserRS 2.0. I do have a K&N Airfilter but thats it. Earlier today my CEL light came on and the car lost almost all acceleration and started jerking. I could drive it but it was bad. I stopped the car, popped the hood, and the car was jerking and stuttering. I drove it home in this condition. It set for about 2 hours then i decided to try it again. The car runs fine i drove it for about 15 miles and its fine. Not 15 highway miles either. No cel light no nothing. Also when this was happening earlier there were NO noises of any kind. Just idling it was ok noise wise but it did idle rough. Its fine now tho. Any idea what could have caused this? these type of problems don't normally disappear on their own. I was thinking plugs and that sort of thing while it was happening but since the car is back to normal i just don't know. all help is appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[Enigma_Man]

It sounds electrical.

One of my ignition coils is going bad on my car. It will just happen all of a sudden, I'll lose 2 cylinders, the car will shake, run like ass, and just be crappy.

Then _pop_... it's 100% better again.

I'd start by changing plugs, then wires, then testing things like your coils and such (you'll usually get a CEL if it's a coil).

-Jesse

 

[mitsutuner]

Check your ECU for error codes first, link below, it should tell you what triggered the CEL.

http://www.ecanfix.com/~mdhamilton/errorcodes.html

 

[Doug99RS]

Backing up what mitsutuner said, the code will be stored in the memory regardless of whether or not the light stays on. Retrieve those codes.
Doug

 

[mitsutuner]

Yeah, you want to pinpoint your problem as opposed to easter-egg-hunt diagnosis when you can, save ya some dough & aggravation.
Pardon me for going off-topic, but NICE engine bay Doug!

 

[Doug99RS]

Thanks, I don't drive it, just mod it and put it back on the ground.

Easter Hunt Egg: Bad.

 

[LaserRS41653]

Ok. This is crazy but I fixed the stuttering problem. Guess what it was? The fourth fuel injector had come loose! I was only running on three cylinders! I feel like an ass.... ! Anyways first thing to check is fuel injectors if this happens to anyone else! I'm in the process of installing a new waterpump now. Oh the joy! ! Thanks again guys for all the help!