Wtf idle stalling

[16vtawd]

I have 92 laser awd m/t with 125k and it stall at idle, first it makes a click sound and the check engine light comes on and the engine revs up a little. Then the the car just dies and wont start for 30min. The BOV is not vented. I changed the battery,ECU caps,plugs and wires,and fuel filter and it still stalls. Whats wrong with my car ?

 

[kmarky]

I to have this problem with my 90 Laser RS Turbo. I hear a click, the check engine light comes on, and then it stalls and I can't start it. Actually, some times it will start back up, but most times it will not. I have even had it towed into the local dealership a few times, but by the time it gets there it starts fine. I have had them run tests on it and no one can seem to figure out what the problem is. I would love to hear if anyone has some suggestions!! I am sick of my car leaving me stranded.

 

[huafist]

Pull the error codes before doing anything else.

 

[kmarky]

I had the dealership try to pull the error codes, but since it has always started up by the time it gets to the dealership they can't seem to find anything wrong with it. It is really frustrating! Thanks anyway.

 

[kmarky]

In addition to what I said previously... Once it stalls, it turns over like it is going to start but just won't. Some times it will start for a second or two, but dies out right away. I have replaced all the plugs and wires. I thought it might be a bad fuel pump, but the technican at the dealership said if it was a fuel pump it would not be intermitant like it is. It would either work or it won't... I don't know if that is true??

 

[huafist]

Have you ran a compression test and a leakdown test yet?

 

[kmarky]

I have not yet. Excuse my ignorance, but what would those two tests tell me?

From what I read, it kinda sounds like the capacitors on the ECU. Do you know where the ECU is located in a 90 Laser. I would like to check it out to see if those capicitors are leaking. Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[huafist]

The ECU is located directly behind the radio. It's a rather large gold box.

A compression test will tell you if you're getting good compression in your combustion chambers. A leakdown test will tell you where a leak would be, if you're losing compression (rings, intake valves, exhaust valves).

 

[kmarky]

I have found this link on how to remove the ECU. Just thought I would share it.

http://ecmtogo.com/removing_ecm.htm

 

[steve]

The MPI relay click and the CEL light coming on for a four or five seconds is a sign of the ECU rebooting. That could be caused by capacitor leakage or by bad power to the ECU (like loose battery terminals).

Steve

 

[16vtawd]

Its probably your ecu, do this to see if your ecu is dead put the key in turn it to on but dont start the car and see if the check engine light comes on then blinks if it doesnt your ecu is dead or the caps are causing it to shut the mpi relay off (thats the click you hear). i got another ecu and that fixed the problem.

 

[kmarky]

I took my ECU out and it looks as though one of the caps is crusty on the bottom. I found a package on ebay that contained all the caps that I needed. I am going to try to replace them first and see if that fixes the problem. I will keep you posted once I receive them. Thanks for everyone's suggestions! Cheers.