Hi everyone, I got a small problem

I got an 89 cavalier 2L

it runs great with one exception, under load she starts to stall/miss it's hard to explain. i've been driven crazy over this and i've done some testing



first new plugs and wires, nada same deal.
then I thought maybe its bad gas cuz it was sitting for 6months, so I burned off all the gas, put some nice new gas, new fule filter, nada, same dea.

Then I decided to chk the spark using the el-chepo method, pull them out and lay the wire near grnd to watch for spark, Then I discovered that #2 and #4 were not running right, So I thought it was the ignition coil pack or whatever that thing is called. Replaced it, nothing same deal, and when I put the old one backin it's running fine now.

So under advice from another forum I disconected the alternator while it does this, same deal.

i'm at my wits ends, i've lost sleep over this, I'm broke as hell cuz I just finished giving school all my money and my left arm, so i'm stuck.

Anyone have any ideas what the problem could be because it will idle perfectly fine just under a bit of load (sorry no tach no rpm reading) it starts to stall like it's not getting spark or fule, but i know for a fact it is getting lots of fule. in fact I shoveled some starting fluid down the throttle body and she will do the same.

please any ideas would be welcome because I need to get this thing running to pass emisions so I can keep driving.

hell i'll buy a case of beer over paypal to the first who figures out the problem. :(

lol, well, i dont drink beer, but thanx anyway, best bet, take it somewhere and have the computer scanned for codes. but from what you describe, it could be the PCM, or an O2 sensor, or a whole helluva lot of things, scanning it will cost about an hours labor at a dealership, and will tell you just about everything you need to know, or at least give you a much better idea than you have now. i feel your pain in the money department, but sometimes its gonna cost a bit. and in the long run, its worth it. good luck

lol, well, i dont drink beer, but thanx anyway, best bet, take it somewhere and have the computer scanned for codes. but from what you describe, it could be the PCM, or an O2 sensor, or a whole helluva lot of things, scanning it will cost about an hours labor at a dealership, and will tell you just about everything you need to know, or at least give you a much better idea than you have now. i feel your pain in the money department, but sometimes its gonna cost a bit. and in the long run, its worth it. good luck


well I know it's not hte O2 since it does it when when the motor is cold. as for the local dealer, well they wana charge over $150 just cuz it's xmas. :(

tnax for the reply, I do apreciate it.

well, something you can try, seeing as its an 89, and therefore an OBD I computer system. is use a paper clip to run the codes. i know it works on my camaros but dont know about other cars. take a paper clip, and hard wire the top two terminals on the right hand side of your diagnostic port. then watch your check engine light, it will flash once, then pause, then flash twice, then long pause, then it will do this two more times, a total of three times. this is a code 12, its normal for the computer when the key is on but the engine isnt running. after that code 12 has flashed three times, start counting the flasshes that follow, any codes in the computer will come up in that same sequence. say a code 42 which i think is a lean running condition, will flash four times, pause, then flash twice, then long pause, then will repeat two more times. and so on and so forth, once you get all your codes, go offer that case of beer to a tech in the sevice department to tell you what all the codes stand for, i think that will cost alot less than 150 bucks ;)