QuestionQUESTION: runs for 5 miles then gets sluggish, about a mile later stalls out, it will restart, but just sits there and sputters. Let it sit overnight and you can drive it another 5 miles etc...
ANSWER: Hi Chad,
I wonder if you have any fault codes stored in the pcm memory. Try the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light to begin to see it flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then do it again to be sure of an accurate set of flash counts. Then combine the counts in order of appearance to form the 2-digit fault code numbers. Then go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code list. The last number is always 55, the code for end of readout. Or send a follow-up question telling me the codes and we'll go from there. It is probably a faulty temp sensor or the egr valve, but see what code numbers you get first.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Okay, its been sitting all night, tried to start it, and now it just sputters, (won't let me drive it 5 miles first like before). Put it in gear and it tries to die, and does die. Checked codes like you told me and i get the following... 12, 15, 11, 43, 24, 24, 21 and (55). How can i check to see if its the fuel pump? The reason i ask, is because i went to check the fuel pressure and could not find a place to attach my pressure guage. I disconnected the line that goes to the rail, and there was pressure, seemed like air and gas though. Thanks, Chad.
AnswerHi Chad,
With all those codes I would not worry about the fuel pressure.
The 11 code says that the crankshaft position sensor signal has gone out. That can happen as the sensor warms up, self-repairs when cool. So I would replace that, located at the seam between the engine and the transmission behind the engine, just above the top of the transaxle housing. It comes with a paper sparcer which you leave in place, then install by pushing it until the tip touchs the underlying metal and hold there while you lock it in place. For better access to the sensor you will probably want to remove the speed control servo nearby.
The 12 means the battery was disconnected sometime in the recent past, usually not an issue if that is not the case.
The 15 means the output speed sensor signal has been lost. Does your speedo work? If not, that sensor needs to be replaced so the trans will shift optimully.
The 21 means the oxygen sensor mounted on one of the exhaust manifolds needs to be replaced, or possibly check that none of the 4 wires are shorted together nearby the sensor.
The 24 means the throttle position sensor signal is off-value, so check the wires on that sensor, located in the throttle body to see if the insulation is melted on any of those, and if not then replace the sensor.
The 43 means that one or more of the cylinders is mis-firing, probably as the result of all of the above.
So get to work on the above problems and things should correct.
Roland
