car dies after long drive

cantdrv55 · 05-17-2004, 07:27 PM

My car dies when I come to a complete stop after a long, spirited drive. It sort of coughs then dies like it's trying to catch it's breath but can't. Then it'll be hard to start for a few minutes. It cranks, turns over but dies. My idle speed is set at 1000 RPM and oil temp is around 9 o'clock. Could it just be air/fuel mixture or a symptom of something much worse? Weekend wrench here so I could any advice. Oh yeah, fuel pump and filter was replaced a few months ago and the car has been running great. No complaints with acceleration, ride quality, etc. Thanks.

tt_targa · 05-17-2004, 07:46 PM

Could be many things.
Might try unplugging the O2 sensor. This would help identify whether it is open loop or closed loop mixture problem.

I would also recommend a Bentley manual and all the k-jetronic documentation that you can get your hands on. I found the best prices at Amazon.

cantdrv55 · 05-17-2004, 07:52 PM

Forgot to mention that the problem is on the '79 so no O2 sensor. I have the manual but was hoping someone here has seen this problem before and may be able to save me time and money.

Bill Douglas · 05-17-2004, 07:57 PM

Fuel accumelator (sp)?

cantdrv55 · 05-17-2004, 08:29 PM

Hmmm. I don't think that's been replaced recently. The PO had the car for 5 years and kept meticulous records but no mention of accumulator replacement. Fortunately, I bought one of those as the 101 book recommended it. Will try that this weekend. Thanks. Anything else?

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

Go for shorter drives.

Bill Douglas · 05-17-2004, 08:40 PM

My '79 did that a few times too, and it turned out to be bad contacts on and around the fuel pump. But I'm asuming yours is ok as you've replaced the fuel pump. Maybe check the earth where the brown wire comes off the fuel pump, it's located near the front of the battery. If you don't mind taking off that damn metal plate again you could get the terminals really clean where they connect to the fuel pump.

Actually.... To avoid all this bollocks, when the car won't start try disconnecting the pipe on the CIS side of the new fuel filter and fuel should blast out of it. That way you will know if it's a fuel supply problem.

yelcab1 · 05-17-2004, 08:50 PM

It is fuel supply related, so you should chase that first. Check the connections, and the functionality of the part itself.

1. Fuel pump (a new one does not mean it can't go bad).
2. Fuel fitler
3. Fuel accumulator,
4. WUR
5. Fuel Distributor.

In that order.

cantdrv55 · 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZOANAS
Go for shorter drives.

Hehe, I knew someone would suggest that. Hey Rick, are we gonna see this weekend?

Thanks Bill and Yelcab1. I'm willing to bet that it's a fuel delivery problem again. The same symptoms were present just before my fuel pump died last year. Guess I'll have to take wifey's car to this Sunday's drive until I get this problem sorted out. I hate getting stranded. Yelcab1, will you be there as well?

vash · vash's Garage

chris, let's put my gauge on your injection system. curious to see what type of pressures you are getting. when you come to a stop, the rpm's drop like they should, only they keep on dropping? to death? when was your last tuneup?

cantdrv55 · 05-17-2004, 09:16 PM

Yeah, when I come to a stop, RPMs drop all the way to zero and dies. The last tune-up was in March of last year, just before I bought it (7K miles ago). The car died twice on Saturday before I stopped in on you Cliff but it hasn't happened again since. I hate intermittent problems. When can we try your CIS gauge?

vash · vash's Garage

aww, man, you should have said something! i would have hooked up the gauges then and there. put some techron in the tank fill it up and drive it around. how about friday? you working from home? i plan to. we can hook up at your place around noon. lets take a look at your injector spray pattern while we are there. maybe a spark plug or two. so is it running good now?

cantdrv55 · 05-17-2004, 09:39 PM

You had your hands full with the oil return tubes and all so I didn't mention it then. I might be working from home on Friday, I'll let you know and it runs fine now.

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Hehe, I knew someone would suggest that. Hey Rick, are we gonna see this weekend?

Thanks Bill and Yelcab1. I'm willing to bet that it's a fuel delivery problem again. The same symptoms were present just before my fuel pump died last year. Guess I'll have to take wifey's car to this Sunday's drive until I get this problem sorted out. I hate getting stranded. Yelcab1, will you be there as well?

No, I'm flying to Chicago for my son's boot camp graduation. I'll be thinking about you guys, though! Have a great run, and watch out for "drifters"!