Engine cuts out, stumbles...

[fixajet]

1995 tercel 4 speed with 190000 miles. This past year every once in a while, while driving the engine would cut out (misfire, stumble call it what you want) but for a split second the engine would miss/cutout. This would happen at randomly and at different speeds. I could be doing 70 on the freeway or from a dead stop accelerating thru the gears. Now its doing it more frequently and mostly doing it while accelerating from 1rst thru 3rd. Its almost to the point that ive got to nurse it thru the gears not to get it to cut out. It really feals like its spark related to me (electrical). I have new spark plugs. I have no check engine light. Ive checked for codes several times. I dont think its timing related, this car runs too good and I average 44-46 mpg. Im thinking coil pack problem but not sure.This is driving me crazy-Anyone had this problem. Or could lend a suggestion?

[fixajet]

Where are the grounds located for the coil packs anyone know? It feels like I got a loose ground wire to one of the coils and its cutting out.

[fixajet]

anyone.... anyone.... Buhler, Buhler...

[TTercel]

Check your coils, and the spark plug wires. Does it happen when it rains or is it all the time?

[Todem 76]

When you say you have to nurse it through the gears does that make a difference? Does it cut out when you accelerate hard but not if you ease up through the gears? Could be fuel related if so. Weak fuel pump, dirty fuel filter, or crap in your tank plugging the sock. If you can check your fuel press. at the fuel rail and see what you got.

[Flip123]

i had the same problem.... engine would cut out for like 1 second and then be back to normal at different speeds and random. i just replaced my spark plugs and wires. now i havent had the problem happen since.

[fixajet]

Originally Posted by Todem 76

When you say you have to nurse it through the gears does that make a difference? Does it cut out when you accelerate hard but not if you ease up through the gears? Could be fuel related if so. Weak fuel pump, dirty fuel filter, or crap in your tank plugging the sock. If you can check your fuel press. at the fuel rail and see what you got.

I can check fuel psi but havent done it yet. I don't think its fuel/psi related because it dosent feel like its running out of gas stumble symptoms it is a hard pronounced feeling like one coil pack quits and then comes right back on. It used to do it very randomly, sometimes accelerating and sometimes just cruising. As of late it is doing it alot almost all the time when the engine is under load. for instance if im in 4th going 35-40 mph and slow down for a turn down shift to 3rd and try to accelerate to pick back up the speed. Then I have to ease off the gas and nurse it to be able to accelerate without the engine bucking/cutting out. It might be fuel related but its so random and such a pronounced feeling im thinking electrical/spark related. I cant afford to just shotgunning parts at it nor do I think its worth it to put alot of money into it but the car gets 44-46mpg so i cant afford NOT to drive it.I pulled the plugs last night and they are all really clean and no evidence of not firing.any suggestions please...

[fixajet]

Originally Posted by TTercel

Check your coils, and the spark plug wires. Does it happen when it rains or is it all the time?

Is there any way to test the coils under load as well as the wires.

[fixajet]

checked timing last night and its dead nut on. crank and cam sensors are within tolerance. I ohmed the two terminals on the coil packs and the are both at 1.7 ohms but i dont know if thats the way to check them. Ive got new plug wires on order and will replace the spark plugs as well. If that doesnt sovle the problem I will start to troubleshoot fuel system. Anyone know a correct way to test the coil packs?

[fixajet]

finally got a check engine light. hooked up the lap top and got a misfire on no.4 cylinder. I replaced plugs and wires now Im a happy gas saving yota driver again.