Help please!! '83 944...

many944s · 08-23-2006, 03:55 PM

Well, I am back in the states and decided to finally finish the '83 build up. I assembled everything, triple checked the timing and tension, built oil pressure then fired her up. After getting all of the air vented from the cooling system, and giving it yet another "once over" look for drips, I decided to take it out for a test drive. The motor purrs like a kitten in park, but only revs up to about 3k when spiking the accelerator. When driving it feels like I need to get out and give it a push to get going? The shift points are smooth, and the ATF levels are fine (with new ATF).
Any ideas? Unfortunately this needs to be my daily driver for a while as it looks like my Mustang is getting ready to buy the farm.

The idle RPM is at 980, and the throttle body "clicks" where it should when advancing the throttle by hand. I have worked on countless MT 944s but have never worked on an AT model. I honestly haven't seen this problem before.

Thanks in advance guys!
Nick

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

AAMCO. Same trans as the VW automatics.

many944s · 08-23-2006, 05:28 PM

Thanks SOCAL, so you think it's the tranny? I can't even get the engine to rev in park like I can my MT?

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

It doesn't sound like a transmission. If it does it with the transmission in Park, then the transmission shouldn't have anything to do with it. It sounds like it's starving for gas or the timing isn't being advanced properly by the computer. I've heard that the injector wires sometimes have dirty connectors which would make the voltage to the injectors incorrect and the air/fuel ratio would be off. I would also check the TPS and see if it is working properly.

many944s · 08-23-2006, 08:01 PM

Thanks Tom. Well, I just spent another couple hours in the garage working on the beast. All the injectors and the harness are new, I noided each connector and used my pulse injection tester to test each of the injectors (just to be sure), all turned out to be ok. I also checked the "accel" pont on the TPS, and it responds properly.

I actually thought ahead when I had the motor torn down and marked the TDC line on the flywheel with white paint, along with the timing mark on the cam pully. Using a timing light, I can see that the timing is advancing properly on acceleration...

I swear, if I had any hair, I would be pulling it out !

I'll keep you all posted!

Nick

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I am just guessing at this point but you might try unplugging the O2 sensor. I think that will richen the mixture by default and see what the effect is.