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View Full Version : intermittant stumbling problems Part Deux


tigeraid
06-03-03, 18:08
Hey guys, just bought a beauty of a '94 9C1. I love it and all, but it's having a progressively worse intermittant stumbling idle.

It's very random,. and the CEL doesn't come on when it happens (tho that has flickered one once or twice not related to the stumble, only to go away shortly after).... Cruising just fine, then coming to a stop as I slow down, the engine starts to buck and stumble. By the time I come to a complete stop, the computer takes 2-3 seconds and then normally the idle smooths right out. However every now and then when it happens, the stumble gets SO bad that the computer doesn't recover, and it ends up stumbling and coughing as I begin to accelerate. Once I get up into the revs, there's no issue and she'll pull like crazy.

I'm bringing it to the dealer on Thursday to pull the codes, hopefully that reveals something. Unfortunately the '94 with the 4.3 L99, for some retarded reason, can't use a conventional CEL code reader, even though the '95 4.3 and 94-95 LT1 both can (??) ... so I bought one of those, and all it did was flash the CEL constantly, no codes. So I returned that.

Out of curiousity I tried pulling the vacuum line off the EGR and plugging it, to see if the EGR was the problem. Didn't seem to make a difference. And I haven't seen/heard any obvious vacuum leaks but I'm almost hoping that's what it is. Any ideas based on the symptoms guys?

P.S. - I haven't found a DIRECT connection with this, but I've noticed it happen often after reasonably brisk acceleration. If I putt around it rarely seems to happen, but when I accelerate even, say, 1/2 throttle, then coming to a stop at THAT point is when it seems most common. But I'm not sure on this.

LM13
06-03-03, 18:55
it doesn't matter if the egr vacuum is connected or not, you might have to take it off compeletely to test it out. get the codes first. it might be the maf also. the codes should put you on the proper track. but chances are it is the egr.

tigeraid
06-03-03, 19:23
k, I'm lost... if the EGR is bad, would blocking off its vacuum source not prevent it from making the engine stumble?

kekermahoney
06-03-03, 20:38
I have an 89 caprice that has been running sluggish and the service engine soon idiot light has been coming on and off.. I did the old paper clip computer test and it came back as a faulty o2 sensor.. I just replaced it with an AC delco, but its still coming on and running choppy! WTF, over! thanks in advance guys..

LM13
06-04-03, 00:37
Originally posted by tigeraid
k, I'm lost... if the EGR is bad, would blocking off its vacuum source not prevent it from making the engine stumble?

when the egr goes, it gets stuck in one position, disconnecting the vacuum will not make it open or close again.

Incitatus
06-04-03, 04:39
when the egr goes, it gets stuck in one position, disconnecting the vacuum will not make it open or close again. Ah, Good point!

Two things:
AutoZone can probably pull your codes, for FREE.

Second, that last observation you had about acceleration makes me think it's a fuel issue. -Fuel pump?-

tigeraid
06-04-03, 15:19
the dreaded fuel issue crossed my mind, but lack of fuel results in WORSE performance as you bring the revs up... if the engine is starving for fuel, chances are it'll idle but fail when you drive away. Especially on the highway, or at high rpm... this car has NO problems once the revs get up and she's cruising. 90% of the problem occurs when rolling to a stop, 10% of it occurs off said stop while accelerating. My bet is still EGR.

LM13
06-06-03, 03:21
Originally posted by Incitatus

AutoZone can probably pull your codes, for FREE.



i just go in and ask em to scan my car?

tigeraid:

block off the egr, i'm almost positive that it is that.