1992 v6 stalls, need help

[rjeast]

I just purchased a 1992 probe with the v6 and it has a few problems.

First the radiator is cracked, they patched it up with jb weld and it holds decently but I am going to replace it anyway.

Here is the main problem, it starts fine and idles fine. It will even drive about 1/2 a mile at 55 and be fine and then all of the sudden the rpms drop and the motor sounds like it cuts out. If you let off the gas then the motor will rev back up and you can drive again. Sometimes it will do it almost immediately again and sometimes it will take a few seconds. Now if you slow down to around 30 and keep the rpms to less than 1500 then it will usually run nice and steady but if you try to accelerate then it will cut out and rpms drop.

I changed the fuel filter and filled the tank up and put fuel injector cleaner in but it still does it. When you turn the key on you can hear the fuel pump operating.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[buggyfreak]

throttle positioning sensor. are there any codes, (check engine light)?

[rjeast]

No, the check engine light is not on. Wouldnt the throttle sensor throw a code?

[flyguy123]

Sounds like a ignition problem to me. I would check your distributer. Probes are known for this problem, although I'm not sure about the 92's.

[rjeast]

Thanks for your help, I will check the distributor.

Its been a long time since I had a chance (and the money to get around to fixing this thing). I did replace the radiator finally and now its water tight. Was hoping it was throwing a sensor but no such luck.

Ok, still no CEL. This time when I started it, I drove about 5 miles, motor was completely warm and I hit a bump as I was going onto a side road and it cut out, RPMs drop almost to zero, will start again if you let off the gas and go to almost 1700 RPMs. If you hold the gas steady then the motor will completely die and you have to do a restart.

Is the distributor the only recommended advice? How do I check it? LOL, I learn as I go.

[flyguy123]

Originally Posted by rjeast

Thanks for your help, I will check the distributor.

Its been a long time since I had a chance (and the money to get around to fixing this thing). I did replace the radiator finally and now its water tight. Was hoping it was throwing a sensor but no such luck.

Ok, still no CEL. This time when I started it, I drove about 5 miles, motor was completely warm and I hit a bump as I was going onto a side road and it cut out, RPMs drop almost to zero, will start again if you let off the gas and go to almost 1700 RPMs. If you hold the gas steady then the motor will completely die and you have to do a restart.

Is the distributor the only recommended advice? How do I check it? LOL, I learn as I go.

There should be a connector (ignition module) just outside of the distributer, push on it with the engine running and see if it stalls out. If it does then its probably cracked and that would be your problem.

[rjeast]

Ok I took off the distrubutor cap before checking this post. It appears to be fine, no cracks, no tracking, no wear spots. I checked firing order and put it back on (it was correct BTW). Before responding I went ahead and started it back up and pushed the ignition module and it did not cut out. Of course it runs and idles perfectly fine, only after about 5-10 minutes of driving does it stall out.

Any other ideas?

[flyguy123]

Originally Posted by rjeast

Ok I took off the distrubutor cap before checking this post. It appears to be fine, no cracks, no tracking, no wear spots. I checked firing order and put it back on (it was correct BTW). Before responding I went ahead and started it back up and pushed the ignition module and it did not cut out. Of course it runs and idles perfectly fine, only after about 5-10 minutes of driving does it stall out.

Any other ideas?

This could be a long shot but try this, unplug your 02 sensor and see if the problem goes away. This is not a fix but will eliminate one more thing to check. My next guess would be your EGR valve (the saucer looking thing that is connected to your exhaust manifold). It could be stuck, the valve should move freely.
If that doesnt resolve your problem then you need to look and see what kind of spark you have when it starts acting up. Check each plug, you should have a nice blue spark. it really helps to have a 2cnd set of hands when doing this.

[hlndr32]

this is just a thought... but try checking the flap in the mass air sensor. this doesnt sound like much but the flap sometimes sticks and can kill the engine... u r aslo able to restart it

[StargazerLily]

My son has a 1997 Probe GTS that is having this same issue. We have tried everything. We changed the plugs and wires, added fuel injector cleaner twice, changed the air intake filter, and changed the fuel filter. We are now checking the distributor. The poor kid just got his license and the car. The first 3 or 4 days the car drove great. Then I was driving it home one day and was shifting from 2nd to 3rd and the engine started sputtering, the rpm's starting going haywire then it finally lost all power (rpm's to 0) and died. I waited about 30 minutes started it up and it was ok as long as I didn't go above about 1500 rpm's. Any other ideas??

[ronaldk]

Check fuel pressure you could have weak pump as your rpms go up fuel consumpsion also goes up, veh starves for fuel. you could also have a clogged cat. I am not saying cant be ign mod but loss of rpms & power usually low fuel or part blocked cat.