Engine Stalling on '90 SE
Discussion
My '90 SE is sometimes stalling during quick acceleration, and sometimes during normal cruising. The check engine light flashes on and the car looses power then everything comes back on (all in a fraction of a second). On occaision, the car simply will not start. After several tries, it will begin working normally again. Since it does not happen all the time, it is very difficult to troubleshoot. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks -ryan
wonderman: I have tested the ECU, no errors were logged. I have suspected the O2 sensor for a couple of reasons: 1 engine is backfiring on occaision, 2 engines can backfire because of too much fuel, which could also cause a stall. I have replaced the O2 sensor from AutoZone, the backfiring has gone away for now, and the stalls seem to have also gone away, but I will need to drive the car more to be certain.
Calvin,
I have replaced the ECU in my car, I have yet to determine if this has fixed my engine starting problem, but time will tell. I am still having stalling problems during normal cruising and sometimes during bumps, this almost has to be an electrical connection somewhere. You had mentioned that the coil packs could be going out, so I would like to test this further. Pardon my ignorance, but this is the part that generates the spark for the plugs? I hope this is a commonly available part (by the way, I am using the NGK plugs, they are new, the fuel filter is new also). Another response indicated that I should check the IAC valve. Is this part easy to get to? Where is it located? I need to get the parts list for this car.
Thanks Again for all your help. -ryan
I have replaced the ECU in my car, I have yet to determine if this has fixed my engine starting problem, but time will tell. I am still having stalling problems during normal cruising and sometimes during bumps, this almost has to be an electrical connection somewhere. You had mentioned that the coil packs could be going out, so I would like to test this further. Pardon my ignorance, but this is the part that generates the spark for the plugs? I hope this is a commonly available part (by the way, I am using the NGK plugs, they are new, the fuel filter is new also). Another response indicated that I should check the IAC valve. Is this part easy to get to? Where is it located? I need to get the parts list for this car.
Thanks Again for all your help. -ryan
Calvin,
I bypassed the fuel pump cut-off just to see if it was shorted out, that did not seem to be the problem. I have also opened each of the 8 relays in hopes of finding corrosion of the contacts, but they were all in new condition, in fact I would guess they been recently replaced.
I will check the coil packs as you suggested. The way the car behaves, it seems to happen so quick that it I keep thinking it is a spark plug miss of some sort. I will check into it today.
I bypassed the fuel pump cut-off just to see if it was shorted out, that did not seem to be the problem. I have also opened each of the 8 relays in hopes of finding corrosion of the contacts, but they were all in new condition, in fact I would guess they been recently replaced.
I will check the coil packs as you suggested. The way the car behaves, it seems to happen so quick that it I keep thinking it is a spark plug miss of some sort. I will check into it today.
Skerd, Calvin,
Thanks for the reponses. I will try both suggestions. I am currently battling a cooling system issue and hope to resolve all of this soon. I have to say, working on this car is a lot of fun, I am getting to know the engine components well. This may sound strage, but I am enjoying what others would perceive to be headaches. The troubleshooting process has always been a lot of fun. It seems my Lotus and I are a perfect fit for each other. -ryan
Thanks for the reponses. I will try both suggestions. I am currently battling a cooling system issue and hope to resolve all of this soon. I have to say, working on this car is a lot of fun, I am getting to know the engine components well. This may sound strage, but I am enjoying what others would perceive to be headaches. The troubleshooting process has always been a lot of fun. It seems my Lotus and I are a perfect fit for each other. -ryan
Calvin,
I did your "Tap Test" and found the problem. The fuse to the Fuel Pump was not making a good connection. Problem solved! However, a new and potentially dangerous problem has started. It seems my left rear brake tends to freeze on occaision, causing me to nearly loose control of the car. I won't chance it, going to buy new calipers for the rear. I nearly lost it twice. Thank god this car handles so well, I was able to regain control both times.
Ryan
I did your "Tap Test" and found the problem. The fuse to the Fuel Pump was not making a good connection. Problem solved! However, a new and potentially dangerous problem has started. It seems my left rear brake tends to freeze on occaision, causing me to nearly loose control of the car. I won't chance it, going to buy new calipers for the rear. I nearly lost it twice. Thank god this car handles so well, I was able to regain control both times.
Ryan
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