Hello everyone! This issue started happening recently and it’s been very on and off. Most of the time it happens when I drive the car for the first time after it’s been sitting for a day or a few days. It would then drive like normal after a few drives.

The car will start up normally. I’ll begin driving (usually in 2nd gear), and then out of nowhere it will “stall,” even though the car is still on. When this happens, pressing the clutch or the gas does absolutely nothing. The power just drops off completely and it feels like strong engine braking rather than the engine shutting off.

The worst time it happened was on the freeway at around 60 mph, which definitely caused some panic the first time. After it happened a few times, I found a temporary workaround. If I turn the car off and back on and then pop the clutch, it comes back to life and drives normally again.

I’ve checked fuel flow going into the carb and it looks clean and consistent. I also replaced the fuel filter, which was way overdue, but the problem is still happening. I have also found it difficult to start the car sometimes when it is hot. When warm, I normally wait 4 seconds before turning the key and it starts.

This mostly seems to occur on cold starts or the first drive after the car has been sitting. It’s been hard to explain, and when I try to describe it to my partner or search forums, I haven’t really found anyone experiencing the same thing (unless I’m just not looking in the right places).

Does anyone have insight into what this could be? Possible fuel cutoff, loss of spark, or some kind of ignition or electrical issue? Any help from fellow rotary owners would be appreciated.

 

Hi. You should describe your car, year etc. Maybe most important 12a or 13b. They each have completely different fuel delivery and there are many subtle differences over the years.

 

12A stock

 

You may be experiencing a failing ignitor or coil. I would swap the ignitor for leading with trailing and see if it changes things.

 

Thank you. There was a slight cut in the ignition coil wire so I will double check that. I also accidentally touched and moved the wire that goes to the alternator and that chagned the rpm of the car. I think i got some connections to double check this weekend.

 

I agree, check the wiring. The rpm should not be changing when you touch the alt. wire.

 

Yes, check the power leads, but ALSO check the grounds nearby. A circuit needs good connections all around to work well,