Yesterday my 95 GTS started exhibiting a random stall driving. It jused to do before while idling, but now its while driving. It definitely feels like ignition cause its a instant OFF! Yesterday it happened 3 times. Twice while stopped at light, and once while driving, and a couple times in between while driving, for a quick split sec it jerked really hard like the engine seized up but immediately recovered. And for each time it stalled completely, it wouldn't restart right away. I drove it earlier that day, 4x the distance and had no issues what so ever.
I did check for codes, none found other than the standard 511(ROM Failure due to CHIP) and 111 (System Pass). First to explain some initial symptoms when I picked up the car last summer and what I've done to it since:
From the beginning I have had
Since then I have replaced/performed the following
I know some of that was taking a shot in the dark and ended up in a buying frenzy where I was just replacing parts. Somewhere along the way, something seemed to solve my surging idle at least. But the random stall, smelling rich and sounds of missing was still occurring.
Then 3 days ago, a little light bulb went off. I recalled original owner admitting to having a colder Tstat put in. What the hell its only $10. Put in a new 195 and new gasket. Old one pulled was a 180, which didn't seem cold enough, but would appear it was stuck partially open. That makes total sense, engine never really got to the optimum temperature and and ECU would richen up the mix. Since the 195 went in, its like a new car. Definitely no more smell (other than standard cat less exhaust), drives smoother, but the mileage is TBD since I not driving it right now.
I'm wondering if my PIP or my TFI has been suspect all along and just recently exasperated since the changing of the Tstat. Which in theory should be causing more heat soak now. The distributor is original, but car only has 57k on it. Is there any easy way to test either sensor or do you have to pull them for testing?
I did check for codes, none found other than the standard 511(ROM Failure due to CHIP) and 111 (System Pass). First to explain some initial symptoms when I picked up the car last summer and what I've done to it since:
From the beginning I have had
- random occurrences of the car stalling only while idling
- smelling uber rich at all times
- frequent surging idles
- lightly sounding like its missing when at low speeds
Since then I have replaced/performed the following
- vacuum leaks, found a couple and fixed
- IAC
- IAT
- ECT
- Coil / Wires / Plugs
- Cap & Rotor
- Fuel Filter
- O2 sensors
- Base idle reset
- TPS adjustment
- Checked fuel pressure
- TB cleaned
- Dialed timing back to 10deg
- Chip (Bama) yes I know
I know some of that was taking a shot in the dark and ended up in a buying frenzy where I was just replacing parts. Somewhere along the way, something seemed to solve my surging idle at least. But the random stall, smelling rich and sounds of missing was still occurring.
Then 3 days ago, a little light bulb went off. I recalled original owner admitting to having a colder Tstat put in. What the hell its only $10. Put in a new 195 and new gasket. Old one pulled was a 180, which didn't seem cold enough, but would appear it was stuck partially open. That makes total sense, engine never really got to the optimum temperature and and ECU would richen up the mix. Since the 195 went in, its like a new car. Definitely no more smell (other than standard cat less exhaust), drives smoother, but the mileage is TBD since I not driving it right now.
I'm wondering if my PIP or my TFI has been suspect all along and just recently exasperated since the changing of the Tstat. Which in theory should be causing more heat soak now. The distributor is original, but car only has 57k on it. Is there any easy way to test either sensor or do you have to pull them for testing?
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