1996 Geo Tracker

[bscott]

I have a problem that I can't figure out. Car starts, runs for a couple minutes, then just bogs down, and then dies. It will idle, but no power when you step on the gas pedal. I tuned it up, checked for air leaks, put in a new gas filter, and the gas pressure was at 40 pounds. Any suggestions? Please help, going nuts!

[bscott]

Try to put a OBE2 on, and all I would get is no troubles, or codes.

[ranger88den]

Did you have the problem before the tune up/fuel filter? What engine, trans, 4wd? Have you determined, when it dies, if you have lost spark or fuel pressure?

[jtgh]

CEL LAMP , does it stay on key on no start and go out after starting.
this is always my first quesiton, every time.

sounds like dead MAF.
maf comes into play off idle.

but this is 96 Tracker so that means its an 1.6L 16v enigine
thanks for fuel pressure. first post of pressure here in 2 years. taah daahhhh

it is a 16v, you didnt say mileage, did your tBelt slipp 1 tooth.
mileage?

on a 16v. that has no power.
id (if i owned it)
1: validate cam timing before i wrecked the enigne. (interference)
2: volt meter to MAP pin and do my maf test.

Howto-test-a-MAF

three tests:
idle
racing in idle
under load of autmatic in drive. brakes set HARD.
more load more volts output
last test is run test wires in to cabin you drive , GF (wifeypoo) notes max volts going up steep hill wide open throttle 2nd gear.
see my plots, there is no more guessing, i got the data ,here , see it.?

there is no reason at all to spend 300 to $700 for a maf. test it for gosh sakes.
also
the FSM says (gm version)
rapping on side of MAF , idling must not cause RPM change. or maf is toast.

also , some mafs (must usa and canada) can be cleaned,
you yours looks like a rocket engine can dont look like this, i am clueless.

http://carfix.stufftoread.com/sensors/maf16V.gif

if you can see the hot wire. then clean it with maf cleaner , do not use carb cleaner as it
is NOT plastic safe. (MEK is bad news for plastic)

This car does have obd2 (n.america , not EU)
so a full scan tool , you can log all data, on the MAF, you will see grams per sec.
g/s and then see my web page and note the performance of your maf against my table and graph.
easy huh?

a scan tool can be $150 . I use scantool.net hardware, and Palmer software.
it is the best for the lowest price. there are faster tools but they are high end.

cheers.

[bscott]

1996 4wd auto. before tune up,it would run,but not keep idell. now, it will idell ,but not run. It just bogs down when i step on the pedal. I have checked timming belt, timming,distributor,vaccum lines,cleaned egr, compression good,maf, ect. I have been going through the haynes repair manaul. Three months ago got a service soon light. Put a obd11 on it. and had a code said (TCC torque convertor censor) Never did find that. Try to put obd11 on now, it wont give me a full scan.

[jtgh]

96 1.6L 16v MAF based (air density system)
tcc, lock fail. skip that.

id like to know miles on car total.
q: car site for over a year and gasoline going bad, as a result? (eg: clogged injectors)
q:exactly what was done and touched at the tune up, cap,rotor,wires plugs?
q: when running is battery up to 14.7v or near.
q: when you turn on HL do they burn bright running engine.

odd the reversal, very odd.
idles ok.
wont run
define
q: define wont run.
in neutral will it rev to 3000 rpm.
under load.
or just hesitates before making power under load.

the hayens(or the like) are really junk,
did you know the FSM covers full diagnosis of engine and every sensor and how to test each? (it is not perfect but is vastly better for fixing a car)
q's:
did you see if vacuum is steady. 19 inche HG at idle. (no flopping around)
is idle normal at 800. hot.

not giving full scan,
does that just mean monitors not completed yet? (normal if you reset it) or
that you can not monitor all the sensors, idling,
like tps, load, o2, maf, Map egr, rpm, spark advance. close / open loop, ect temp , air temp, etc.
that last line above must be available at all times running.

if you can read them , what are they idling.
is the engine reaching full 180deg f + temp, ECT temp OBD2.?
that scan tool is powerful, you can instantly see if some sensor is lying its booty off.

40 psi fuel, ok, compression, good.
how do you know MAF is good if car wont run.

that is the $64000 question (ops showed age there ,sorry) the
MAF is the center of the universe here.
if it is dead car wont go, if car wont go youll never get 80 to 100 grams / sec of air.
a paradox.
that is way MAFS are hard to test.
if they work , they are easy
if they dont, opps, chicken and the egg. deal.

see ?

I ask again. can you see the hot wire on your MAF.
if yes, clean it with Fam cleaner. they can coke up bad.
if you cant see wire there the air flow mess then yours is the mechanical mAF.
there are 2 types used.
must in usa are hot wire.


those are my thoughts and questions.

cheers.

[jtgh]

then do better.
ill just watch.

[Harleyindahouse]

Originally Posted by jtgh

CEL LAMP , does it stay on key on no start and go out after starting.
this is always my first quesiton, every time.

Maybe I'm wrong here but sounds as if he's not getting full data link with scanner!!!

Why not verify, check all fuses first including data link!

Mil shoud have some indicator and prove self test.


Now I wanna know if it doesn't run; how does it idle??? You mentioned it doesn't run but it does idle after the tuneup; rethink that maytbe cus now it does neither....has to run to idle(oopsy) somethins not right in that statement

No offense JT but I'm confused... I see no indication of what motor he has!!!

Tracker only has 1.6 in 96???? MY 96 Sidekick Sport had 1.8 so might confirm

Quick check; verify your firing order if in fact this is 1.6..... Completely opposite performance properties after tune, might retrace your steps!

Confirm all the details of what you have then maybe we can help but fault indication with secondary problems.... wondering if you spiked ECU..

NO data stream is a definate problem but didn't notice if you were testing anything while performing tuneup and or secondary tests improperly grounded...could very well be catastrophic ECU failure but what did u do when you found TCC FAULT???

My guess is you have more issues going on with ECU....

ECU'S FOR SALE although this one I have is 1.8 manual....hehehehe
BEEN DOIN ANY BOOSTING?????

[Harleyindahouse]

QUOTE=jtgh;156842]then do better.
ill just watch.[/quote]



Second that thought!!!!

Pure genius "EHNIHL"

[bscott]

got MAF cleaner. cleared alot of it up, then redid timminng. It is running great! I think it was a combanation of dirty MAF and timming off a little. I set the timming the first time before i cleaned the MAF. I dont know, but it is running. Thanks Jtgh! You are very smart with these engines. I will be keeping in touch with. Again, thanks alot!