Stalling. Please help

billb · #1 07-22-2005, 05:29 AM

I'm about to throw in the towel and take my 94 FWD SVX to the shop. I hate to give up, so I'm hoping someone out there can give me some advice.

Here's the problem:
Most of the time, the car runs superbly. Starts right up, idles smooth and runs strong.
Sometimes, during about the first 3 miles of driving, it will stall out. It generally starts right back up. Sometimes it starts up, sputters and stalls. But, then it will start up and run fine until it stalls again. After about 3 miles, everything is fine.

Here's what I've done:
1. Replaced air filter.
2. Replaced fuel filter.
3. Replaced all plugs.
4. Replaced all coil packs ($$$$)
5. Cleaned throttle body.
6. Cleaned fuel system (gas tank additive)
7. Replaced and set the throttle position sensor (0.51 Volts at the TPS).

Other than spending a lot of money and time, the only real change I've seen is that the transmission shifts very smooth now. I attribute this to the old TPS being set wrong.

Ok, does anyone have a good idea of what to do next? I could go for the MAF, but it's starting to get expensive and I'm just shotgunning.

By the way....THERE IS NO CEL.

Thanks,
Bill

michael · #2 07-22-2005, 05:54 AM

Try cleaning the element inside the MAF. Do a search, some found vinegar works well. What RMP does it idle at? Search for throttle cable mod. Resetting the ECU might not be a bad either, just disconnect the battery over night. These are all of the low buck things I could think of.

billb · #3 07-22-2005, 06:19 AM

I was wondering about cleaning the MAF filament. I will try it.
The car idles cold at about 1200-1500 rpm and gradually comes down to about 700 rpm when warm. The idle is very smooth.

One other thing I noticed. When I start up from idle at a light, for an instant the tach shows a very slight drop in the rpm, before it starts to increase. This occurs every time. Just a little dip on the gauge, then back up. If I accelerated from a speed of say 40mph, I don't see the little dip.

What is the throttle cable mod?

Earthworm · #4 07-22-2005, 11:26 AM

This sounds more like either the MAF and/or the crank/cam sensors.

Does the CEL ever come on?

billb · #5 07-22-2005, 11:34 AM

No CEL. It only comes on when you start the car. Then goes out.

Budfreak · #6 07-23-2005, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billb

No CEL. It only comes on when you start the car. Then goes out.

my car was doing the same thing too. it would stall when put in gear and so on. try this. turn up the tps sensor to .53 or .54 volts and clean your maf sensor with electronics cleaner from advance auto parts.mine runs better now and stopped stalling too so try it out.

BTW let me know if you need further help and maybe we can get together and check it out.