random dying problems (1989 n/a)
 

it's not a new issue, this used to happened when i tried to start my car up, but today while i was driving, i came to a stop, and i heard my motor just sputter, than die. it kept happening, so i kept startin it up, but even when i gave it gas, it would die. eventually i got it on, had to keep the gas comin, but i got it to where i was going. (it did die again though, and i had to repeat that crap to get it on again)

do you guys know what could've caused this? i know it's not a leak because this problems comes up randomly....but yea, i'm stumped :help:

oh yea, sometimes i smell something like raw eggs coming from my engine, if that helps any.

edited 11/5/06

well i think the problem is getting worse, and i'm pretty sure its the notorious BHG.. i saw smoke coming from the exhaust whenever i was at a stop and i gave it a little gas.

but i had a much bigger problems the other day, i was driving, came to a stop, and my car COMPLETELY died, no power whatsoever, i had a friend steer my car while i pushed it aside and jumped it. on the way home i had to constantly keep the car around 1500-2000 in order to keep it running (i couldn't use the brake or i'd let the car die again), so while i slowed down for stops, i had to keep my foot on the clutch, while pumping the gas, while steering with my left hand, and braking with the e-brake.. it was horrible at the least.

i drove the car today, and it was somewhat ok. the idle was like a rollercoaster, sometimes it would idle around 1500, then if i gave it gas, it would rise, then fall to a scary 500 then continue to bounce up and down.

could this problem occur from a BHG or is it something else that maybe i can fix? how hard would it be for a beginner to fix a BHG if that was the problem?

diagnostic
 

do a diagnostic first.

but mine just recently did that and the code was 31 i think. my afm had crapped out on me and it would start but die unless i had my foot on the gas.

When my AFM acted up it did that but I also had black smoke. It could be low fuel pressure also like the pump going bad or a totally clogged filter.

you might have a blown head gasket and the coolant is getting into the combustion chamber.

just a thought

dont know the technical terms
 

i had a simalar problem and for me it was just the "ignition safty" the little microchip card thingy under your seat. mine was just loose so when it came loose the fuel pump dies. i am not sure if all cars has this little feture tho, but just check it out it might save you alot of trouble.

well the other day, i ran a diagnostic, and the engine light blinked constantly. i was told that means there are no problems evident, but i know for a fact that there are many problems with the car..

at work today i tried to start up the car without giving it enough gas and it died right away, i guess that's the only thing i can see that's wrong with the car. i also checked under the hood and saw the radiator was dented pretty bad (some stuff down in the engine bay were crushed together when the last idiot owner went over a dip and bent up the front end).. could this have any effect on the problem? b/c i'm not have any overheating issues, it's just starting up, and the occasional stall on the road

any feedback is greatly appreciated..i can't afford to pay a mechanic right now :[

If you are smelling raw eggs it could possibly be your cats plugged up. Its said that smells like eggs. Are you losing power?

another thing known as a cause for the smell of raw eggs is the coil(s) are dying... try replacing the coil and see what happens

i'm pretty sure it's not the cat, it's only a month old, but the car does feel a big sluggish


what's a coil? sorry for the dumb question

No offence but if you dont know what a coil is then maybe you should take your car to a mechanic....

The coil is The ignition source for your distributor or if you have a turbo model you have what is known as a coil pack. It produces spark straight to the plugs.