why does my car stalls while driving or put into gear
Asked by wildmann98 Jun 12, 2014 at 09:02 PM about the 1992 Pontiac Firebird Base
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1992 firebird ( throttle body) and it stalls while driving. I bought a lot of new things and i still can't figure it out. 2 new fuel pumps, fuel pressure is 8, new map sensor, throttle position sensor, 2 new inectors, checked for vaccum leaks, fuel regulator. I was told the car doesn't do it all the time, 3 times a day..its not fuel filter. new fuel cap. not sure what else it could be.......
27 Answers
Fuel pressure is 8? If that a tpi engine your fuel pressure should be 30 psi at an idle.
Does it stall while slowing to stop but run good at highway speeds? If so check idle air control valve.
When does it stall? Just anytime you are driving or mainly when slowing down?
Check exhaust manifold out for burnt spark plug wires.
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
mainly the car stalls when put into gear, and when at a stop when taking off
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
i did check mainifolds...i was told i had a manifold leak, had gaskets replaced
Is your throttle position sensor adjusted correctly? .55 volts at full closed throttle. Have you checked your pcv?
Have you checked your plugs, plug wires, dist cap and rotor button? Also does it still have the original cat convertor on it? If so could be stopped up.
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
new plugs, new wires, i haven't checked dist cap or button, cat convet..is ok
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
i'm thinking its a fuel problem..........my next move is fuel filter.....i took it to tech tune....they replaced, fuel pump, then checked it afterwards and fuel pressure was 8 (throttle body) they put some fuel additive in the tank..car ran very badly.till i ran tank out......but still the car stalls..thats why i thought......maybe its halfway stopped up and it didn't help putting that fuel additive in it too
Is that one an optical spark dist? If so that's where I would look next with all the other items you have replaced and checked. It's about the only thing left.
Has the car been sitting un driven for a long period of time?
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
i drive the car every day.........its been about 2 years about distri cap has been replaced
Oh ok. Well sounds like you have done everything I would have tried. Keep us informed and if I think of something else I'll get back to you.
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
i think my next move is fuel filter...........I will say the engine light comes on and stays on..i look up the code and this is what it says.....code 44 lean exhaust.....in the book...malfuctioning carb/ fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, defective map sensor, defective oxygen sensor, defective ecm, I replaced, map, both injectors, checked for vaccum leaks, replaced ecm.......i think i asked to replace oxygen sensor..not sure
Yes I think the fuel filter change would be a good next step. You stated that your fuel pressure was 8. That is way to low. Should be in the thirties or forties on yours I believe.
wildmann98 answered 10 years ago
what i hear....a fuel pressure for tpi is between 30/40. a fuel pressure for a throttle body is betwen 10/13. 2 different fuel pumps pending tpi/tbi
montestallo answered 9 years ago
Im having the same exact problem ive replaced spark plugs, wires,fuel pump mass air flow sensor camshaft sensor ignition control moduel fuel filter any other ideas?
How about you take the O2 sensor out of the exahust pipe into the Cat converter. If you had enough black dust get pushed into the Catalytic converter it could clog it up and stall it out. The Catalytic converter is supposed to last the life of the vehicle but only under regular Maintenance. However, if your driving a 1992 your car probably already reached its "engine life expectancy". I say this because, I have a 1997 purchased as a used car the dealership did not give it a regular tune up when I took it into the shop for, transmission maintenance, it would not stay started. All readings were normal it did not throw any codes. So, I said take the O2 sensor out and see if that is it. Guess what? That is what it was. Needed Cat Converter because the life expectancy of a cat is 20 years.
Check fuel pump relay located on driver side of engine toward the rear. Dont mitake it for the duel a/c relays.