Have a '99 that has recently developed an issue when it is first running that lasts until the car is running about 3 minutes or so. It surges and hesitates. It's annoying and I am afraid the car will die in traffic. Not throwing any engine codes (okay it's been in a steady state of 0446 code for three years, and I'm not buying a new charcoal canister for a 200k mile car.) It fires immediately and when fully warmed up, seems to be fine.
I am not sure where to start and I am willing to do some repairs to keep it chugging along for an other year or so. It is noticable enough that my wife will not drive the car anymore, so I need somke suggestions here. The plugs were changed with the timing belt at 105k miles and the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors are aorigina. But again, no codes so I don't know where to start my hunting. Tried different gas, added alcohol to dry water in fgas, no change and it's been doing this for 60 days or so.
Maybe it is running a little lean while warming up? Other than the hesitation and surge, how does it drive? Does it feel like it is lacking or down on power after it warmed up?
N.E.O.
Last edited by new echo owner; 09-01-2008 at 10:32 AM.
Once it survives the first 3 or 4 minutes, the hesitation ends and the car runs well. I am amazed how well it runs and shifts and it still delivers mileage which make it usable even at $4 a gallon gas.
That's what kills me. If it ran lousy all the time I could give up, take it in back of the barn and shoot it, but it smooths out and does well.
If you want to you can clean the MAF sensor to see if that has any affect on your problem. Just a speculation but doesn't exactly cost much to test it out.
If it is running good after the 3-4 minutes, can't really blame it on the A/F sensor, since during the first few minutes of cold operation the ECM ignores the input from the A/F sensor.
By the way, do you have a scanner that can read engine data? If you have one, find out what the coolant temp sensor is reading when the engine is stone cold. Is it the same as the outside temp? This might not have anything to do with your problem, but any information will help to narrow it down. Check the TPS input too, because that is the input that tells the ECM that you are accelerating.
N.E.O.
Last edited by new echo owner; 09-03-2008 at 12:52 AM.
I have cleaned it and did that again yesterday. The only code reader I have is a simple digital one, so I only have a minimum of data available. So not sure if I can get what you asked on the coolant temp. I'll ask at work if anyone has a more sophisticated reader. Thanks for the suggestions and enjoy the holiday.
After you clean the MAF, did you disconnect the battery to reset the memory of the ECM? Otherwise, it may take a little bit of driving for it to re-adjust.
I got your PM. I suggest taking a look at the idle control valve. The issue you are describing sounds exactly like an idle valve that is slow to respond. It might be gummed up with crap (which is usually the case), or it might be on its way out. Give it a good cleaning, see what that gets you.
I have a similar problem, but it only happens from time to time with me. In my '96, sometimes on startup, my car doesnt keep a constant rpm. instead it goes up to the norm (~750), drops to 500-ish, then dies completely. I think its my idler, but I'm not too sure. My dad just told me to put Lucas Upper Cylinder Cleaner with my gas every month or so and it seems to work.
__________________
'02 Toyota Tundra iForce V8 TRD AC THUNDER "FRACKING" GREY METALLIC 97000 miles
Thank you Qslim...Turns out that 195k miles of sludge in the AIC valve will sort of reduce it's ability to operate. It's in a great spot for catching sludge when you clean out the throttle body and it certainly had a fine collection. All it took was a bottle of throttle body cleaner and some paper towels and we are back in business.
Thank you all for your suggestions and Happy Motoring,
Mike
Thank you Qslim...Turns out that 195k miles of sludge in the AIC valve will sort of reduce it's ability to operate. It's in a great spot for catching sludge when you clean out the throttle body and it certainly had a fine collection. All it took was a bottle of throttle body cleaner and some paper towels and we are back in business.
Thank you all for your suggestions and Happy Motoring,
Mike
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