QuestionI am your worst nighmare, female backyard mechanic in heels:
Done so far:
Replaced Plugs, Cap and rotor, checked plug gap
Altered Catylatic Converter, some restriction removed debris
Checked fuel filter
Cheked plug wires
Checked for vacuum leaks
Symptoms: Last 3 months.
Car runs fine for about five minutes then when you get to a stop and try to accelerate, you can push gas pedal to floor with no response. Then it does take a few seconds to respond.
acts similar to a carbureted engine vapor locking and will not accelerate correctly, hesitates but does not die. Idles fine. And will drive fine after a few minutes where as I can get up to 60mph without a problem. Then if I get to a stop the same problem re-occurs. I have noticed that I cannot run the fan whether the air is on or not as car has no power whatsoever. Will not accelerate. The longer you drive the worse it gets. Terrible fuel consumption.
Could it be O2 sensor?
Or the Throttle position Sensor?
Timing?
Do not think its timing as it starts fine and idles fine
Do not think its fuel pump as after it does start to accelerate I can get up to speed fine
Please help I am afraid I might break a nail...
Seriously I am usually very good at this stuff
They said they can't run it on the computer as the check engine light is not on. I did not belive that but, 5 mechanics told me that.
Help me please I beg you
AnswerHello Sandra,
Forgive me for not answering sooner, but I was out of town on a firefighting assignment, and nowhere near a computer.
Throttle position sensor is surely a possibility. But I would want to check the fuel pressure with the engine running first thing.
Needs to be in the 13PSI range at all times.
As for connecting to a scan tool...get a different mechanic. You can connect them even when they are running perfectly, and read the sensors, control devices, and all the engine control perameters real time.
True...if there is not a code set, they won't be able to "Diagnose" it....or get the scanner to diagnose for them, but a real mechanic can read the values and tell a lot.
For example, he can actually see what the TPS is sending to the ECM....all the time the engine is running, or not running even.
That fan you mention...if it is controlled by vacuum, then you may just have a vacuum leak in the heater/AC control system.
A vacuum guage would show it, but so would the scan tool.
If it runs good cold, but acts up after warmup to normal temp, it could easily be a sensor, since the sensor readings are not used when the engine is cold.
Doubt it is the timing, since it wouldn't fix itself when cold.
Great to hear someone in heels and long nails isn't afraid to tackle some under hood problems.
Good luck,
Van
