Car is very unstable. Need help please!

[trapspeed]

Well, the starter and alternator were replaced on my car. It turns over fine now but it is very unstable. When I give it gas it loads up really bad and drops down to 0rpm then cuts off. The times I do get it to idle (tapping on the gas pedal) and rev it up to about 5000 rpms the turbo doesn't even spool. The car also reaks of gas when I rev it.

I checked that my SAFC2 was hooked up right, MAF sensor, no injector leak. Anyone have any idea?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Boost leak and/or leak btw MAS and turbo inlet
Any CELs being thrown?

 

[trapspeed]

CEL comes up for a second when turning the car on but goes away.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

CEL comes up for a second when turning the car on but goes away.

My cel does that also. your problem sounds like a terrable boost leak. How did those results come out ?

 

[gurmanator]

you have a big vacuum leak somewhere(pcv hose or idle screw).If you had a boost leak the car would still idle.you are sucking unmetered air from somewhere.take a can of starting fluid and mist all of your vacuum connections and listen for motor rpm change(the motor will rev up if vacuum leak).

 

[trapspeed]

Right before I had gotten these problems the alternator was putting out 17volts.

 

[1992TSiAWD]

I am with everyone else - I think the motor is getting unmetered air.

I don't think any part of the charging/starting system would cause the problems your describing...

Just my two cents, let us know.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

Right before I had gotten these problems the alternator was putting out 17volts.

Do you think its possible your putting out to much voltage? I know my car peaks at 14.1 when just started up and hangs at 13.7 - 13.9 when driving. dips in to the 12.6 and under range when braking. Maybe try another alternator possibly?

 

[trapspeed]

Do you think its possible your putting out to much voltage? I know my car peaks at 14.1 when just started up and hangs at 13.7 - 13.9 when driving. dips in to the 12.6 and under range when braking. Maybe try another alternator possibly?

They said the voltage was corrected w/ the new alt.

It's acting as if I blew an ic pipe or something.

 

[femmeDSM]

Mine was doing the exact same thing recently. Turned out to be a *huge* boost leak in the throttle body. Took the whole intake off, cleaned the throttle body, replaced the gaskets, and tightened all the bolts, and the car runs much better.

Not saying this is your exact problem, but a major boost leak like this will definitely cause what you're describing.

 

[trapspeed]

Mine was doing the exact same thing recently. Turned out to be a *huge* boost leak in the throttle body. Took the whole intake off, cleaned the throttle body, replaced the gaskets, and tightened all the bolts, and the car runs much better.

Not saying this is your exact problem, but a major boost leak like this will definitely cause what you're describing.

Right on. Thanks for the help everyone. I know the place pulled my turbo so I will check it out.

 

[trapspeed]

Any specific vacuum leaks that could be caused from removing and replacing the turbo / alternator / or starter?

 

[Mike Marnik]

When you say you are revving it and not getting any boost is this in neutral or under load? If its in neutral then you will not get any boost it has to be under load.

 

[trapspeed]

When you say you are revving it and not getting any boost is this in neutral or under load? If its in neutral then you will not get any boost it has to be under load.

When it's in neutral. I can't even get the car to run long enough to get into gear. And the turbo will spool up when revving up in neutral. Not much, but you should still hear your blow off valve. I can rev my car up to 6k (choppily) and there's no blow off.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Any specific vacuum leaks that could be caused from removing and replacing the turbo / alternator / or starter?

I've never replaced my starter, but it would seem as though they would've had to take off the upper intercooler pipe in order to easily access it. Obviously a boost leak test would show you immediately if it were there, but just know that your upper intercooler pipe connections could be loose (it seems like to cause the problems your describing, though, a clamp would have to be left completely loose or a coupling would be slipping off or completely off one side) or your TB connections (to UICP or manifold) may have been tampered with. Boost leak test and double check that MAF connection!

I can rev my car up to 6k (choppily) and there's no blow off.

Possibly because the air is escaping too fast through the boost leak we hope you have. It seems as though the problems you're describing are pretty cut and dry, lets hope they are. I'll cross my fingers for you.

 

[trapspeed]

I've never replaced my starter, but it would seem as though they would've had to take off the upper intercooler pipe in order to easily access it. Obviously a boost leak test would show you immediately if it were there, but just know that your upper intercooler pipe connections could be loose (it seems like to cause the problems your describing, though, a clamp would have to be left completely loose or a coupling would be slipping off or completely off one side) or your TB connections (to UICP or manifold) may have been tampered with. Boost leak test and double check that MAF connection!



Possibly because the air is escaping too fast through the boost leak we hope you have. It seems as though the problems you're describing are pretty cut and dry, lets hope they are. I'll cross my fingers for you.

Thanks alot. I'll let you guys know how it goes.