Ok, I've tried EVERYTHING

[SubLiminate]

We're talking about an '88 LS Special Edition here (d16 DOHC 1.6L). The problem is that it randomly stops getting fuel or sparking. Totally random as I'm driving. If I let the car sit for a few hours it will run perfectly for a while. The longer it sits, the longer it runs normally, usually. That is not always true, but generally. When it happens, it will not accelerate - the RPMS drop when I press the pedal. Sometimes, I can drive it very slowly or I have to idle in first gear to keep it from stalling. Other times, it stalls and refuses to start until i let it sit for at least 30 minutes, and yet other times it will just fix itself and start running normally:shock: So far I have:

New Fuel Filter (3rd one in 7 months, thinking it was something in the fuel tank - rust, etc)
New Main seal and plug seals (checked plugs - they are clean and getting spark when I check them)
New Radiator
New Water Pump
New Timing Belt
New Alternator
New Dist cap and rotor
New Plug wires
Cleaned injectors
checked vacuum hoses, all hooked up (hoping I didn't miss any)
new air filter
oil change/oil filter
tires, alignment, new control arms, ect. - stuff that should have no relationship

All of this was done either significantly before the problem started, or since it started, and none seemed to cause the problem. The car did run hot for a while, until I replaced the radiator and water pump, but the problem seems to continue to get worse. The first time it happened was about 75 miles into a 100 mile drive, and it just fixed itself after I pulled off the interstate. The only way I can get it to run normally for a few seconds is to shut the car off (key in the II position) then put the key in the "on" position, at which point I hear the fuel pump prime. If I do that 2 or 3 times, it may run for a 1/4 mile or so normally.

Othertimes, it runs perfect, or it will have this problem, then it will just suddenly start running perfectly. I'm at a loss. Please help. Anything you guys can come up with would be HUGELY appreciated.

 

[mirrorimg]

Your fuel pump could be going bad. I know with mine I had to play around with it to get it to work, and it would work fine sometimes, then not work at others. It may not be moving enough fuel to the engine and thus cutting out when you introduce more air (pressing the pedal) into the system.

 

[SubLiminate]

ok....

Good thought. I've been hesitating on the fuel pump replacement because it sounds like it it is priming the system and because of the randomness of the problem. The only problem I've noticed with the fuel pump is that it is louder sometimes and quieter sometimes when it primes. Once or twice it wouldn't do anything at all, but if I waited 15 mins to a half hour, it was fine.

I'm just too cheap for my own good. It's an expensive repair if that's not the problem, but you guys on this forum have been right about anything I've asked, so looks like I'll be giving it a shot.

Could it be the distributor? I've replaced the cap and rotor, but I"m beginning to wonder about the dist itself?

Thanks, bro!

 

[mirrorimg]

I dont know about the dizzy. I figured the car would throw a code if the dizzy was going bad.

The fuel pump really isnt an expensive fix. You can do it yourself rather easily. I think I spent about $40 on mine, and did it in about an hour.

 

[blaketeg]

almost sounds like your main relay is going bad

 

[AE Motoring]

main relay and fuel pump, try those

 

[cvc7chris]

the strainer on the little pick up tube on the fuel pump could be clogged or really dirty? maybe the main relay?

or it could be ur Igniter in your dizzy if that car has one..

 

[graveyardhippie]

i'll agree that it could be either relay or fuel pump. to my knowledge, accords where the ones with dizzy issues that cause ur situation. but i'm not 100% on the teg's dizzy design right off hand.

 

[SubLiminate]

Is it possible to clean this filter or replace it

the strainer on the little pick up tube on the fuel pump could be clogged or really dirty?


It sounds like this could be the problem, based on the way it is acting and the age of the car, and how dirty the gas looked last time I changed the fuel filter. Based on the shop man, it looks like that is inside the pump....so still looking at pump replace. From what I can tell, that Honda dizzy prob doesn't apply to this teg, but it does to some of the 2nd gens, according to the all-knowing internet. lol

BTW, ran great friday....went to shit half way through saturday. Random probs like this are the worst - never know when its going to work and when its not.

Thanks to all for your input! k: At least I know it's one of two things.

Update:
Ok, so i read another post from a guy saying he had a sort of similar problem, and it was a bad engine ground...Mine looked fine, so I didn't really think about it, but I redid the battery side - where the end had gotten a little worn - and it seems to have done the job...so far. Could it be something so simple?