starts normal then sputters and dies, unable to drive.

[DSM_Newblet]

Ok so I have an issue and have tried to do research but can't find another thread on my problem exactly. So about 2 nights ago I was driving home from work, pulled out of the parking lot and drove normally through the gears until I hit about 2500rpm in 5th gear and within 1 mile from work the car sputtered like crazy, lost all power and it died. Tried starting it up and it started ok and idled ok for about 4 seconds then started sputtering and died at idle. Started it again and tried to give it some gas but as soon as I pressed the pedal it was a slow response and sputtered even worse and died. Towed it back to work and tried starting it again because I was unable to drive it. Tried messing with it a little bit at work but the same thing keeps happening, it starts normal, idles normal for about 4-7seconds and sputters then sputtering gets worse until finally it dies.

So here is a list of what is going on to make diagnosing a little easier:
-Very rich smell
-No cel
-tank is full of gas
-car is almost stock, just has a afpr and 16g.
-fuel pressure is 43psi
-car starts normally and starts up every time.
-it is a 91 gallant vr4
-car idles ok for about 4-7seconds then starts to sputter and sputtering gets worse and dies within 30-60seconds.
-whenever the gas pedal is touched the response is very slow and the car sputters even worse and dies but will sometimes "catch" it's self and keep rough sputter idling.
-the only way I could get the car to move was to put it in first and let out the clutch slowly and let it roll with a slight sputter idle roll but as soon as the gas pedal is pushed the car will sputter like crazy and die.
-sounds like right after start up it is running all 4 cylinders and everything is normal but after the 4 -7 seconds the car sounds like it dropped down to running off of 2 cylinders or something.

My car is all the way at work so what I'm trying to do on this forum is get a bunch of possible causes of my problem and how to diagnose and test if they are bad. I will be returning to work on Tuesday so hoping I can get a lot of info until then.

Any help will be very appreciated! Thanks.

 

[NC_Dirt_Racer]

Start with the easy stuff. The car is most likely getting either too much air or not enough fuel. Check all intake and inter-cooler pipes to make sure they are tight. Look for vacuum lines that could have come un plugged.

 

[DSM_Newblet]

Start with the easy stuff. The car is most likely getting either too much air or not enough fuel. Check all intake and inter-cooler pipes to make sure they are tight. Look for vacuum lines that could have come un plugged.

Also forgot to mention that it smells very rich, but I just added that to the previous post, I'm thinking I'm not getting either air or spark. It sounds like the engine is going from 4 cylinders to 2 cylinders after the 4 - 7 seconds.

 

[horizontalkev]

I know you're saying it smells rich but I would check your fuel filter.. make sure your fuel rail/injectors are free flowing and check your spark plugs. Sounds like your car isn't either getting enough fuel or doesn't have the proper spark to get things going and possibly letting unburnt fuel by and causing your car to smell rich..?

 

[callmesaj]

Also forgot to mention that it smells very rich, but I just added that to the previous post, I'm thinking I'm not getting either air or spark. It sounds like the engine is going from 4 cylinders to 2 cylinders after the 4 - 7 seconds.

This sounds like a power transistor issue

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...-2-cylinders-power-transister-help-print.html does this sound kind of like your issue?

 

[DSM_Newblet]

My car is all the way at work so what I'm trying to do on this forum is get a bunch of possible causes of my problem and how to diagnose and test if they are bad. I will be returning to work on Tuesday so hoping I can get a lot of info until then.

Very possible, but not exactly the same. I will test it out though.
I almost want to say it's my maf sensor because I remember one time I accidentally left it unplugged on my 2g and it was almost the same problem but this was years ago and the memory is a little hazy. How do I test it?

 

[callmesaj]

My car is all the way at work so what I'm trying to do on this forum is get a bunch of possible causes of my problem and how to diagnose and test if they are bad. I will be returning to work on Tuesday so hoping I can get a lot of info until then.

Very possible, but not exactly the same. I will test it out though.
I almost want to say it's my maf sensor because I remember one time I accidentally left it unplugged on my 2g and it was almost the same problem but this was years ago and the memory is a little hazy. How do I test it?

Do you have a service manual? There is a test procedure in there.

 

[DSM_Newblet]

Do you have a service manual? There is a test procedure in there.

Like a haynes manual? I can get one.

 

[Develop247]

Is your ecu stock or modified with use of dsm link safc or something?

 

[bmxfelon420]

First, i'd check the connection to the transistor pack on top of the intake. If it isnt seated fully or anything is wrong with the wires you can drop cylinders randomly. The ecu could also be suspect, usually if you had a problem with something like a sensor or something you'd get a CEL. I'd also check your cam/crank sensors, as the wiring on them can often become frayed and lead to intermittant odd problems.

The reason I'd say check the transistor pack first is because it's the simplest and easiest thing to check. I had one side of mine die on the way home from work and I had to drive home on two cylinders. I just replaced it with a spare when i got home and everything was good.

 

[95fallenangel]

Check the fuel pump. It could be going out.

 

[DSM_Newblet]

Is your ecu stock or modified with use of dsm link safc or something?

Stock ecu

First, i'd check the connection to the transistor pack on top of the intake. If it isnt seated fully or anything is wrong with the wires you can drop cylinders randomly. The ecu could also be suspect, usually if you had a problem with something like a sensor or something you'd get a CEL. I'd also check your cam/crank sensors, as the wiring on them can often become frayed and lead to intermittant odd problems.

The reason I'd say check the transistor pack first is because it's the simplest and easiest thing to check. I had one side of mine die on the way home from work and I had to drive home on two cylinders. I just replaced it with a spare when i got home and everything was good.

All right cool, well so far I'm going to check the MAF, ECU, transistor pack, look for vacuum/air leak, fuel pump, and cam/crank sensor.

 

[97gsxIA]

Check the fuel pump. It could be going out.

If it was his fuel pump he'd see the pressure drop on his afpr. I'm assuming this is not the case as he mentioned his fuel pressure is good.... right OP?

Where exactly are you "smelling" rich? Do you had a wideband? What are your afrs during this issue? This is what will tell you if you're rich or not.

Check you injector wiring and vacuum lines, test your TPS and coil pack resistance.

If you smell gas in the engine bay, check to see if fuel is blowing by your injector's O rings on the fuel rail.

If fuel pressure is indeed dropping, look to replacing the fuel filter first.

 

[DSM_Newblet]

HAHAHA yes! My baby is back on the road!
The problem is solved and it was indeed a "dirty" MAF sensor. (Going bad, but I'm only running it a little while longer before I switch to SD.)

Was feeling confident that I had enough knowledge and info from the forums and service manuals etc. that I went back to the car at my work not too long ago and tried messing with it.

I started it up and it died a couple of times, messed/checked over a couple of things, then unplugged the MAF and tried starting it up again and it started and idled a little rough but ALOT better then before and stayed alive. So there you have it, took the MAF out, cleaned it with brake cleaner, put it back in, plugged it back in, started it up and it runs great now!

Hopefully this thread will help others in the future.

 

[horizontalkev]

Glad you got it figured out. Was your maf visibly dirty?

 

[DSM_Newblet]

Glad you got it figured out. Was your maf visibly dirty?

Wasn't really able to see that well through the honey comb, plus it was dark so not sure.