Starting/Idle and 2nd gear misfire

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Evilcowboy420

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I have done some research on these cars quite extensively. I actually think I may have narrowed down why the sunbird actually does this when everything seems to be working correctly.

I noticed Doug saying his bird was stalling out and was chasing it around. After rebuilding the TBI in mine I had starting problems having to feather throttle in order to get it started and had a rough idle.

At first I thought my ECM was full out retarded. But after giving a few days it did not improve. Engine always started when warm just not on first start up.

Then I noticed the car improved when adjusting the base idle up. Then I redid my head gasket again since I had to pull my bolts for the new cam. The car then started running the same as it did before.

I thought hmmm must need to relearn something.

Then after long and deep thought on the matter I decided to google the symptoms of a failing ignition coil. That lead me to some places that lists quite a few people who chased this same thing around with the same problem and some even in sunbirds.

Apparently this causes stalling, misfire, rough ride, and all sorts of shit (I kind of knew this but was just wishful thinking hoping mine wasn't bad). So since I have the stock one on I am going to test it with a muiltimeter and report back. Because this was the only thing I touched when redoing the head gasket that would effect running.

The thing I have learned in my years of working on cars but I keep forgetting to take my own advice. Always go with the most obvious thing first. If it isn't it I will be tracing the wires and making sure all are making good connection.

I also read the ICM can also cause this type of stuff so I will be testing that as well.

Boy it will really piss me off since I got a new IAC valve, TPS, MAP, ATS ( i am coining this to mean Air temp sensor), EGR and FPR.

Gonna also do all vacuum lines tomorrow as well.









Oh yeah I painted my air filter housing to a matte black with 92 cent paint from walmart. It holds up just fine to the heat and I also cleaned my engine bay a bit more. It looks good as hell under there. lol I'll get pics soon. Oh you'll want to use rustoleum $3.77 clear coat over the paint its a white can and that stuff stretches forever.
 
Yeah, I hear you about the ignition module on my car , wire connector was taken apart by someone and possibly tested. Wires left exposed on one end.

Funny thing, it started to happen after I swapped the trans in May and I bumped the wire connecter.

Drove it all the way till then with no problems................:confused:

Trans pan is leaking some so I'll have get under there again soon and check it out while I tend to that.

And seal the headpipe flange gasket again.:mad:

Another member here posted that he was on his 3rd ignition module................

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
Jesus 3rd ignition module!!!!

Wow yeah I am still trying to find one. I would rather have a used one from another sunbird instead of the chinese crap the auto store sells.

I did get around to putting in a working EGR valve just to see the difference on how it ran and I installed a new map sensor since it was just given to me.

Funny thing both the EGR and the MAP came from a 93 cavalier. The EGR pipe faced the wrong way so I put a elbow from the vacuum line on there so the line would sit nice that was the only thing different about the valve. The MAP was exactly the same part mine just had a clippable bracket for mounting to the air housing so I unclipped it and installed it on the new one.

So I guess I confirmed that the 93 cav's some parts fit with a little modification.

But it didn't use the same ignition coil I think it had packs so I was screwed as far as that went lol. I guess I will find it. I forgot to do the tests today but just as soon as I get to it I will. Im curious to know if it is good or weak.
 
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