Fuel/injector problems, engine code 41

[Seedub05]

i have a 90 laser with a 4g63t in it. I just recently had the motor rebuilt, around 1700 miles ago. The problem i am having is with engine code 41, which means injectors. the car stalls out and dies when i come to a stop, and if it doesn't the engine idle fluctuates from around 250-1100 rpms. i had an extra set of injectors laying around from my last motor and installed those along with a new fuel filter. The car is still stalling out/erratic idling. And engine code 41 keeps popping up on the check engine light. other than this the car is driving great. when i first start it up the idle is fine and it starts right up. only after driving it is it erratic. anybody have any ideas?

 

[EagleTalon1993]

A good way to isolate the problem would be to start with using a long screwdriver or something equivalent and while its running rough put one end to your ear the other to each injector to see if you can hear each one pulsing. IF you find one not working check the injector connections and harness in that area for partially broken or wires grounding out since you know the injectors are ok.

One other thing I would check would be o2 sensor as the car will run in open loop mode until the sensor gets to a certain temp then it will try to adjust fuel mixture based on what the o2 sensor is feeding it. An easy way to test it would be to unplug the o2 sensor and let it run in open loop mode and see if the problem still persists.

 

[steve]

Error code 41 is an electrical problem with one of the injector circuits.
It could be:

Injector has gone open.
Injector Resistor has gone open.
ECU damage.
Missing connector locks on the harness.
Wiring harness problems.

If it only happens when the parts are hot then testing them when they are cold isn't going to find the problem.
I had one of my originals injectors fail that way. The coil inside would open up when the injector got hot.

 

[Seedub05]

thank you guys for replying so fast. i just did the screwdriver to the ear trick and all the injectors are ticking. I failed to mention that i have a rented noid light tester and all the plugs are working as well. I also have a new O2 sensor which i unplugged and drove for a mile with the same results-the car stalling out and shutting off when i stop. also one of the plugs has been replaced with an aftermarket one. and none of the clips are in place. are they that critical? all the plugs snap on and lock. if so should i just buy all new plugs with new connector locks?

PS-i did the tests with the engine properly warmed up, not cold.

 

[EagleTalon1993]

The after market replacement plug you mentioned was it installed properly IE soldered or the correct type of fasterner used. Or were the wires just twisted together and taped up with electrical tape if they were that can cause a bad or intermittent connection.

On a side note if those little clips are not in place engine vibration or motion while driving can cause an intermittent connection as well. I didn't think I needed them either until I ran a mile or so without two of them after replacing two injectors and sputter/misfire city.

 

[Seedub05]

yes its only taped and twisted together. i'm thinking i need to just get 4 new pigtails with the locks and go from there. it works fine on the noid light tester tho. but i can see your points about the plugs vibrating loose and causing problems. the rest of them are getting brittle as well.

 

[steve]

yes its only taped and twisted together.

The splices should be soldered and heat shrinked.

If the wires are getting brittle you have have to go back aways before you find good wire to splice into. on a 90 that might be as far as the ECU.

 

[EagleTalon1993]

Probably the best bet and not horribly expensive (But expensive enough).

Good luck

 

[Seedub05]

I just bought a new set on ebay for $16. It comes with pigtails, shrink wrap, and the locking connectors. Just in case anybody else needs some, the guy has more. I'll be back in a few days with the results.

 

[Seedub05]

well I'm back with the results as promised. i installed the new connectors with locks and soldered all the connections. i still have the same problems of stalling out when i come to a stop and erratic idling after its warmed up and driven a little bit. when i first fire it up (which took about 5 tries today btw) i press the gas a little bit and it stalls out. after a minute or so it idles just fine and i can rev it up just fine without stalling. only after i've driven it for a mile or less i come to a stop and it dies. after starting it again when its parked/idling the idle drops way down then tries to pick up then goes way down and usually stalls. a friend of mine had a 1g and he said he had to replace the ECU. i bought one on ebay wednesday and i'm still waiting for it to get here. could it really be the ECU? or do i need to break down and buy new injectors? i've put a lot of cash into this car, like a lot of us do, and its getting aggravating that its still not running right!

 

[steve]

So the question is, have you fixed the 41 CEL?

You could easily have multiple problems and you need to break them down and address each, not get frustrated when you fix one thing and still have more to deal with.

 

[Seedub05]

nope the check engine light is still reading 41. and i'm frusturated after fixing many things, not just one thing. i've dropped two motors in and fixed a whole bunch of other issues under the hood. also i have broken these issues down and addressing each, hence the new wires, fuel filter, changed injectors, another ecu, etc. i am wondering what ELSE it could be, since the cel 41 keeps popping up. so my question remains: is there something i'm missing?

 

[steve]

I listed the causes I know of in post 3.

 

[beniger]

sorry to bring this thread back but does anyone know where i can get some injector wiring my wireharness is screwed

 

[steve]

These work on either the existing wire or new wires you provide. Note the price is for 8 of them.

 

[beniger]

Thanks steve it's funny that 8 are available because i just bought a talon fwd 1990 and the injector wiring is missing on them the can is nice just a lil tlc so i can utilize them