Regal 93 lost acceleration

noclues · #1 03-04-2006, 09:54 PM

Hi all. I have the 3800 v6 on a Regal 93. I got code 22 and 26.

My issue right now is the SES comes on only *sometimes* when I accelerate the car. At that very moment it feels like it hesitates for a second (looses speed), then it accelerates but not as it should. It's more as if i'm accelerating but the brakes are also on or smth, just feels like a drag. This usually happens after I slow down or stop for a light but it did happen even at 40mph once (still while accelerating). The engine light turns off after a minute or so.

What I've noticed is that if I rev the engine to about 2500-3000 when I need to pick up speed, the light will not come on anymore and the acceleration is still low but acceptable. But if i'm trying to accelerate smoothly (which is my normal driving style) the power loss occurs.
Rarely the light comes on just after I started the engine but it turns off in a few minutes after I start driving.

I have sparks on all 3 coil packs (took off each wire, started engine, got spark). I replaced 4 out of my 6 wires (cant access the last 2 in the back). The heatshield on the boot is rotating around but of course it will not allow me to remove the wire no matter how much force I apply. I even tried to push the heat shield towards the engine and pull on the boot but it didnt go very far.

Can anybody please tell me how to get the wires out of the back of the engine? Is there a tool or some special procedure, other than moving the engine?

Also if you have any ideas about what might be causing this lack of power and what the error codes mean, that would be appreciated.

Thanks

noclues · #2 03-06-2006, 08:24 PM

Ok I tried to address the TPS code 22. Went to autozone.com and took testing steps. Appears to be easy to do. But... well I cant really access the terminals of the sensor, they are inside the connector and I see no way of finding a place to use my Volmeter on. Is there maybe a trick to get access to the terminals while it is still connected to the ECM? I wouldnt want to stick needles into the cables or some do other things that might damage the harness or sensor.

Thanks!

noclues · #3 03-08-2006, 08:10 PM

Isnt there anybody who can help with my questions? Am I maybe not asking the right questions?

Oh well anyway I added some fuel cleaner to the car and I hope it helps. But of course there are so many types of cleaner so I bought one in the middle range ($4). I guess I'll see the result in a few days and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for reading my post anyway

maxwedge · #4 03-08-2006, 08:30 PM

You should use a full function scanner to check the tps see if the voltage moves smoothly as the throttle opens, 26 is a quad driver code code, this is a complex diagnosis, you will need professional help with that one. This is a driver in the pcm that controls high load solenoids in the trans and engine.

noclues · #5 03-09-2006, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the reply. Well I was actually thinking about renting a scanner this weekend. Just didnt know if the TPS was available on the readout. I've only used the one from AllData a year ago or so - I wonder if there are any better available.
Anyway I hope the Quad thing is just an old code sticking around for a while but I'll let you know if I find anything.

noclues · #6 03-10-2006, 09:38 PM

Well apparently the fuel cleaner worked! My acceleration is back to normal and the ride is nice and smooth. Though I wonder if it could be behaving normally again only because the temperatures are now in the high 50s.
However I did get the SES once today when I stopped for a light. Not sure why it happened this time because acceleration is fine and car appears to be running normally. The SES went away a few seconds after I left from the light and there was no hesitation during acceleration.
Another thing I've noticed is that the oil pressure is back to normal now. Last week it was high around 70 all the time (drive&park), now it's around 40 when the car is stopped/parked and 60-70 during driving. Could this also be from the warmer temperature?

I'll get a scanner tomorrow and erase the code then check which one is coming up. I'd say it's not the TPS...

noclues · #7 03-11-2006, 07:51 PM

Auto scanners are lots of fun! Got one today, deleted the old codes and did some testing. All values normal. But then suddenly my TPS reading went to 0V (from 0.39 at idle speed). I pressed the gas pedal several times, still zero volts but I guess the computer knows from the MAF how much air it gets and still makes engine increase RPMs -- although the engine was reacting a bit slower to my acceleration. When I released the pedal the engine was almost cutting off but then recovering. This testing was all done in the parking lot. Then suddenly the TPS started showing normal values again (from 0.39 to over 4V depending on how much I pressed on the pedal).

So I wonder can this be just a faulty contact/wire or is it the typical behavior of a bad TPS? The zero (0) volt indication was there no matter how hard I pressed the gas pedal, then suddenly normal voltage came back and voltage increases constantly, no sudden variations.

Any ideas how to find out if cable or TPS? And in case it's the wire how to I replace it? It's kinda scary because it goes through some tubes and appears to be very hard to replace...

Thanks

PS: Otherwise the car works great after the injector cleaner. Not advertizing just trying to help others. It's called "Fuel System Cleaner" - concentrated clean made by GUMOUT.

maxwedge · #8 03-12-2006, 10:47 AM

Check for continiuty at the pins in the connector for bad connections, then go for the tps.

noclues · #9 03-12-2006, 01:06 PM

well this is my problem actually... how do i get into the connector? because it looks kinda complicated to take off and well i did break a piece of that plastic trying to get to it so i'm kinda afraid i'll break the connector or smth. it does not look as if i can just pull it off, more like there is a procedure to "open" it - or maybe a tool. anyway it looks like its made out of several pieces and that it clips together somehow.

Ideas?

noclues · #10 05-03-2006, 08:36 PM

OK finally the car stopped in slow traffic. It simply choked at a stop light because the TPS didnt supply the correct data to the ECM. I restarted the car after a minute or so and I got the scanner tool from Murray's again. Code 22 confirmed what I suspected so I paid the 50 bucks for a new TPS.

Installation was tricky though. Had to remove the cooling hose and the thermostat cover to access the 2 small screws. Took about 2 hours of work. At first i tried to remove the whole intake assembly but just couldnt get to the lower screws.

I'm still keeping an eye on it but haven't had any problems this week. Hope this helps somebody.

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