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I'm at a loss... weird "stutter"...log file attached

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Old 11-10-2018, 06:26 PM
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Default I'm at a loss... weird "stutter"...log file attached

Ok, I've developed a weird low idle, part throttle, "stutter" that surfaces just as I put a load on the car. I've replaced the IAC, PCV, new air and fuel filters. MAF, fuel injectors, O2s, and plugs all have under 10k miles. It feels like an intermittent coil, but I'm not getting any no codes. Definitely feels electrical, and I can fairly consistently produce the fault. When it occurs, it feels exactly the same every time, the duration of the event is the only inconsistency. It seems happen between 1200-1800 rpm, in pretty much any gear.

Again, no codes, but when we hooked up HPTuners, it said it had an incomplete testing on the O2s and Evap system. O2s appeared to be working normally from what we could tell though.

Anyway, hoping someone can take a look at the attached log file and come up with a viable theory. My next step is to buy a single coil and just swap it around to each cylinder to see if I can clear it up that way.

Thanks in advance...
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Old 11-11-2018, 09:55 AM
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If it is a coil or injector, the first step is to check the ground on the back of the head and next the coil harness's. Wiring is getting old and brittle after almost 20 years on these cars. Since you have recently removed and replaced the injectors, one might have a loose connection or partially broken wire. After 10 years since last injector change mine were almost impossible to remove from the injector (the old style).

Shooting a temp gun at each exhaust pipe will tell you if it is either a bad plug, bad coil, or injector because the exhaust temp will be lower than the others. So if its firing and not getting fuel it will be cold or vice versa.
Old 11-11-2018, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by dlandsvZ28
If it is a coil or injector, the first step is to check the ground on the back of the head and next the coil harness's. Wiring is getting old and brittle after almost 20 years on these cars. Since you have recently removed and replaced the injectors, one might have a loose connection or partially broken wire. After 10 years since last injector change mine were almost impossible to remove from the injector (the old style).

Shooting a temp gun at each exhaust pipe will tell you if it is either a bad plug, bad coil, or injector because the exhaust temp will be lower than the others. So if its firing and not getting fuel it will be cold or vice versa.
Ground wire...our gut was a bad ground, so that could very well be the issue. Thanks!
Old 11-11-2018, 04:10 PM
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The Evap DTC might be the connection on the control valve solenoid driver side. Is it firmly connected snapped in or forgotten while changing injectors? The vacuum hose from it runs right into the throttle body and to the hard line just next to the feed line near the fuse boxes. Other place, but unlikely is near the tank where there is another solenoid. But it shouldn't be loose unless you disconnected it if working on fuel pump.

You can feel each injector as it opens and closes when idling with thumb and index finger. A cheap temp gun is your friend at Harbor Freight.

BTW - apply dielectric grease when you connect back together. Also check both female and male ends on the Delphi connector on each coil as well as the main connector that connects them all to the main harness with the ground that connects to backside of the head - especially the female side or the male side if one is slightly bent. Each wire is color coded for each coil as well as the ground. It's doubtful two are cross attached because of the length of each. That said my car idles pretty good even though a coil is crossed.

Last edited by dlandsvZ28; 11-11-2018 at 04:23 PM.
Old 11-11-2018, 05:14 PM
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Ok...seems like the ground on the head is good to go...unless, there's supposed to be a ground on both heads. Pass side has no ground attached at all...I think that's right though. Wires all seem pretty good, checked all the connections, the only thing I found was a loose spark wire. It came off the plug side very easily and for minute, I thought I found my problem. I snugged it back down and sadly, I still had the problem. I checked it again later and it still came off too easily. I crimped it down better and it's on there good now, but I still have the issue. Seems like I need a set of wires for sure, but I'm not convinced that's the problem and I hate the idea of buying a new set of MSDs without knowing that's the fix.

Checked the evap, fuel injector, and coil connections, all seems pretty good...I'll have to pick up some dielectric grease and go back through it all just for good measure.
Old 11-12-2018, 02:51 PM
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No dice with it just being the battery connection, eh?

BTW- still definitely says your location is VA.
Old 11-12-2018, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by JackrabbitSlim
No dice with it just being the battery connection, eh?

BTW- still definitely says your location is VA.
Hahaa...yeah, guess I need to fix the locations.

Sadly, no luck on the battery, I figured not..wishful thinking I guess.
Old 11-12-2018, 04:50 PM
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How's your alternator and at that rpm what does it do on the gauge? Do you have an underdrive pulley?

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0206...ur-alternator/

Don't know how this happened after my engine install - not by me. But my battery connection at the alt was arcing and had actually melted the insulation which I think might have contributed to my coils and injectors acting weird on idle. The nut was just was loose enough to where you could rotate the cable on the alt bolt. It is hard to reach or access so one can think it is tight if a socket swivel adapter was used when they thought it was tight, but was still loose.

Last edited by dlandsvZ28; 11-12-2018 at 04:58 PM.
Old 11-12-2018, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by dlandsvZ28
How's your alternator and at that rpm what does it do on the gauge? Do you have an underdrive pulley?

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/0206...ur-alternator/

Don't know how this happened after my engine install - not by me. But my battery connection at the alt was arcing and had actually melted the insulation which I think might have contributed to my coils and injectors acting weird on idle. The nut was just was loose enough to where you could rotate the cable on the alt bolt. It is hard to reach or access so one can think it is tight if a socket swivel adapter was used when they thought it was tight, but was still loose.
Hmm...I didn't notice anything funny on the volt gauge, but when I drive it tomorrow, I'll dry to pay more attention to that. I do have an underdrive pulley also, I'll check the wires on the alternator and see everything is tight. Thanks again for the suggestions, keep 'em coming.




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