Problems after start up

[parkhills105]

1994 9c1 caprice, Car voltage meter drops as stops and sometimes cut off. Doesn't do it all the time. Now if I crank up the car and cut it off for 7 or so seconds and then restart it, it doesn't cut off at stops, drive just fine. It's like the car doesn't catch on the first crank or something. I have replace the starter, alternator, battery, distributor, spark plugs, and wires, and it still does it. I know it's something small but don't know what. Please help.

[PeteA216]

Check your ground wire(s)

[parkhills105]

where are the ground wires located

[PeteA216]

From the battery, theres one thick one going to a belt accessory bracket most likely cradling the altenator, and another, thinner one also directly from the battery bolted directly to the quarter panel. On the back of the motor, there should be a bare copper grounding strip coming from the engine head to somewhere along the fire wall, sometimes sharing a ground with the heater core. Get a Hanes manual for your car, and that will show you all the wiring schematics, and they can be fairly easy to read. This will help you locate the main ECM ground, which could too be at fault simply due to the fact that the ECM controls basically all engine functions.

Also, have you checked to see if you have any engine codes?

[parkhills105]

i don't have any engine codes

[parkhills105]

I checked the ground wire from engine 2 firewall. it's nothing wrong with the wire. Any other idea what it might b

[PeteA216]

Car voltage meter drops as stops and sometimes cut off

^You're losing power from somewhere.^
What about the two grounds from the battery? Sometimes something as simple as ground can fix everything. You can't tell if a ground is good or not just by looking at it because a lot of times corrosion builds up under the bolt and it loses it's connection. A quick tighten will re-establish that connection. The ground that seems to be the cause of your grief seems to be that of the ECM (computer). The ECM controls everything from your idle to fuel mixture to ignition, and sometimes even the guages. If that loses power, out goes the engine. Other than that though I think I'm stumped. It is fairly possible that your ECM is on it's way out. But seriously, try the ground thing. And get a Hanes manual, it'll be worth having, especially when it comes to electrical.

[parkhills105]

are there any ground wires underneath the car by the gas tank?

[PeteA216]

Not that I know of. I know the sendin unit wires are back there. There may be a ground wire going to the sending unit, but I can't remember one from when I replaced my tank. My guage works fine without one.

[parkhills105]

I need 2 know how 2 hook my temperature sending unit back up on my engine block, the wire is broken, but I don't know where it comes from. It's the one between the cylinders. My fans work and everything, just my temp gauge doesn't work. I have look and look, and don't know where the wire hook up at. It's a single green wire.

[PeteA216]

It goes inbetween the number 1 and 3 spark plugs on the driver's side.

[parkhills105]

I Have the sensor hook up, I need 2 know where the broken wire goes. I wire is broke off from the sensor. Also need 2 know does both fans suppose 2 turn on when I turn on my a/c? Both of mine comes on is this normal?

[PeteA216]

I Have the sensor hook up, I need 2 know where the broken wire goes.

There sould be the other end of the wire hanging somewhere. If you can't find it, then it's probably in a piece of loom somewhere. I can't pinpoint where it goes just from memory. As I said before, a Hanes manual from any parts store will be a HUGE help in finding your wire along with how the rest of the wiring is hooked up. I do believe the fans (both) are supposed to kick on when the A/C is turned on because when the A/C is on, the condensor gets very hot. Air passes through the condensor first, then through the radiator, so naturally more air is going to have to pass through the front of the car to keep the engine cool.

[parkhills105]

I have another question? I just found out that my car was missing its pcv valve for almost two years now, what does the pcv do and does it affect performance and gas mileage?

[PeteA216]

Not having the PCV valve will not affect gas mileage or performance. IF anything it will improve mileage because the engine will no longer be breathing the crank case vaports, but only by maybe 1 gallon per 10,000 miles at best.