Service light has been going on when car is started. Oil is fine. No knocks or other lights on in my 93 (n/a). This morning drove car for about 2 minutes when it lost all horsepower (compression?) going up a hill. Went down to an idle but didn't want to give anymore. Pulled over and it started right back up and seemed to have normal power again, but I just left it there. Checked oil and it was fine. Again, no weird noises, no leaks, just loss of engine power (electrical power was still working).

I need to know if this is something the local podunks can figure out or if I need a tow to the city. Thanks a million!

 

sounds like a bad maf maybe. start it up and remove the maf sensor (right on the air box) while the car is runing. if the idle changes or the car dies the maf is good. if there is no change in the running of the motor the maf is bad.

 

Thanks! I did the test and the car died perfectly. =)

I checked dumb things like obstructions in the air box and plenty of air passing through the exhaust.

My best guess is fuel pump or fuel filter, but I'm no mechanic. What are the other possibilities?

 

OK, a little more digging and it could be the relay? I'm thinking of just replacing the relay and the fuel pump myself, as it seems easy enough to handle. But I'm confused by the part offerings on FCP Groton. Which parts do I need or don't need. Thanks so much!

 

Check the fuel pressure on the schrader valve at the end of the fuel rail. Even if you don't have a fuel pressure gauge fuel should squirt out with good pressure if you press the center pin on the valve. If fuel just dribbles out then you indeed have a fuel related problem.

Eliminate the relay first. It is relay 103 under the cover of the fusebox. Yank it out and short out pins 15 and 87 by wrapping it with some fine gauge wire and then plug it back in.

If the car starts and runs you can either repair (About $2.00 worth or Radio Shack parts) or replace the relay and motor on.

If you still have no fuel pressure you are likely looking at a new fuel pump - if you have voltage at the pump but it isn't running then it is dead. There are options there as well, most folks go with a Walbro replacement pump cartridge and rebuild the OEM assembly with the new pump.

...Lee

 

Thanks for the info- looks like I'll have to do that.

I took a gamble and bought a new relay from FCP Groton because the price was right. I just installed it and now it's worse! The car won't even start, so I either bought a faulty relay or I don't have it pushed in hard enough. That's the best I can do as a lunch break mechanic. Until later...