MrFiveSpeed
Probationary Member
- 4
- 0
- May 4, 2004
-
Warwick,
Rhode Island
Hey all. I posted on here a while ago about an idle surge with a check engine light in a 91 Talon TSi AWD, and then it went away, and now its back, along with several other problems.
The CEL is a code 12, volume air flow sensor, which I assume to be the MAF sensor. I replaced the MAF (I happened to have one that a buddy of mine gave me) and it didn't seem to help, still sets the code.
From time to time, it still surges, but its not consistant. I'll start the car and it'll be fine, then I'll drive it and it'll surge, never stalls. So I shut the car off and start it again, and its fine...but then I shut it off and start it again, the light is on, and its surging.
In addition, the thing is running pig rich...I mean it smells something fierce. I'm thinking it could be an o-ring leak or injector problem, because the smell is worst in the front of the car and inside, and the exhaust doesn't even smell so bad.
Then theres the knocking. Its not that I can hear the knocking...my ecu is wired to use the stock boost gauge is a "knock sensor" of sorts, and at high RPMs (and occasionally low and mid), the gauge pegs and the car falls on its face. Even when its not knocking, its flat as hell, the car has no power at all.
Occasionally the car pulls fine to the redline, but not nearly as hard as it did when I got it...only things I've changed were the sparkplugs and wires, which are both NGK pieces. It used to have the cooler plugs in it, but I pulled them, hoping it would help my knock problem. No dice. I've still got em, they're in good shape, and if I can get the car running right, I'll put them back in.
Also, the car is just straight idling fast when its not surging...never under 1000, never over 1500.
As far as I know, the ISC is good, the TPS is good, the timing is good. The only sensor that seems to effect the car at all is the one right on the firewall side of the throttle body...opposite the TPS. If I unhook that one while the car is surging, it stops surging, but maintains a fast idle. I was thinking that was the IAT (intake air temperature) sensor, but I don't really know.
The car drives fine, it just doesn't perform, and of course, it reeks. I don't particularly want to have to send the car to somebody to have it fixed, I'd rather do it myself. It would be a lot easier if there was just one problem, but I've got four or five at the same time. Could it just be that the ECU is bad? Or, and this is probably a stupid questions, could my SAFC be screwing it up? Bad fuel pump? Leaky injector? I can't find anything on this stuff all coming together.
If any of you guys know, your help is appreciated...I love this car, I don't want to go back to driving a Honda. Its hell...all that VTEC sound and fury, and you look down to see that you're only going 90 after you've been accelerating for like a minute and a half. Thanks a lot.
The CEL is a code 12, volume air flow sensor, which I assume to be the MAF sensor. I replaced the MAF (I happened to have one that a buddy of mine gave me) and it didn't seem to help, still sets the code.
From time to time, it still surges, but its not consistant. I'll start the car and it'll be fine, then I'll drive it and it'll surge, never stalls. So I shut the car off and start it again, and its fine...but then I shut it off and start it again, the light is on, and its surging.
In addition, the thing is running pig rich...I mean it smells something fierce. I'm thinking it could be an o-ring leak or injector problem, because the smell is worst in the front of the car and inside, and the exhaust doesn't even smell so bad.
Then theres the knocking. Its not that I can hear the knocking...my ecu is wired to use the stock boost gauge is a "knock sensor" of sorts, and at high RPMs (and occasionally low and mid), the gauge pegs and the car falls on its face. Even when its not knocking, its flat as hell, the car has no power at all.
Occasionally the car pulls fine to the redline, but not nearly as hard as it did when I got it...only things I've changed were the sparkplugs and wires, which are both NGK pieces. It used to have the cooler plugs in it, but I pulled them, hoping it would help my knock problem. No dice. I've still got em, they're in good shape, and if I can get the car running right, I'll put them back in.
Also, the car is just straight idling fast when its not surging...never under 1000, never over 1500.
As far as I know, the ISC is good, the TPS is good, the timing is good. The only sensor that seems to effect the car at all is the one right on the firewall side of the throttle body...opposite the TPS. If I unhook that one while the car is surging, it stops surging, but maintains a fast idle. I was thinking that was the IAT (intake air temperature) sensor, but I don't really know.
The car drives fine, it just doesn't perform, and of course, it reeks. I don't particularly want to have to send the car to somebody to have it fixed, I'd rather do it myself. It would be a lot easier if there was just one problem, but I've got four or five at the same time. Could it just be that the ECU is bad? Or, and this is probably a stupid questions, could my SAFC be screwing it up? Bad fuel pump? Leaky injector? I can't find anything on this stuff all coming together.
If any of you guys know, your help is appreciated...I love this car, I don't want to go back to driving a Honda. Its hell...all that VTEC sound and fury, and you look down to see that you're only going 90 after you've been accelerating for like a minute and a half. Thanks a lot.
