1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Smooth running after starting but how?

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Old Mar 23, 2015 | 03:33 PM
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dludden's Avatar
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Smooth running after starting but how?

I recently posted my '85 gsl-se would not run smooth after starting. it would skip and start to lose power on the highway but then would come back. this went on for about 4 minutes but then suddenly it would smooth out. now all of sudden last monday when it was hot, remember, it ran smooth right after starting. It was good all week and today.
why did all of a sudden did it fix itself seemingly?nobody answered my previous message except one. I hope it lasts!
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Old Mar 23, 2015 | 04:24 PM
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Fuel Filter?
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 04:35 PM
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Betcha $5 it's the connectors to the fuel injectors going bad. Test this by starting the car and then grabbing the wiring harness as it exits from below the upper intake manifold. This harness contains both fuel injector harnesses, the alternator leads, and some other sensors under there. Grabbing that harness, tug it gently toward the fan - back and forth. If the engine seems to stumble in one position vs. another, then the fuel injector plugs are damaged and making intermittent electrical contact, causing the fuel injector to fire erratically.

Your local auto parts store will have Borg-Warner replacement wiring connectors for $7 each - get two, then splice these into the existing wiring harness, cutting out the old injector connectors and about an inch of wire ahead of them. SOLDER these connectors into place, then recover with heat-shrink wrap and finally electrical tape. It's important. Check your repair by testing as I've stated in paragraph 1. Pretty common when 1980's wiring gets old and hot from underhood temps and turns brittle.

Also, for the full write-up on this search for 'SE running on one rotor' syndrome. It's well-documented. Report back and good luck,
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LongDuck
Betcha $5 it's the connectors to the fuel injectors going bad. Test this by starting the car and then grabbing the wiring harness as it exits from below the upper intake manifold. This harness contains both fuel injector harnesses, the alternator leads, and some other sensors under there. Grabbing that harness, tug it gently toward the fan - back and forth. If the engine seems to stumble in one position vs. another, then the fuel injector plugs are damaged and making intermittent electrical contact, causing the fuel injector to fire erratically.

Your local auto parts store will have Borg-Warner replacement wiring connectors for $7 each - get two, then splice these into the existing wiring harness, cutting out the old injector connectors and about an inch of wire ahead of them. SOLDER these connectors into place, then recover with heat-shrink wrap and finally electrical tape. It's important. Check your repair by testing as I've stated in paragraph 1. Pretty common when 1980's wiring gets old and hot from underhood temps and turns brittle.

Also, for the full write-up on this search for 'SE running on one rotor' syndrome. It's well-documented. Report back and good luck,
thanks for the info. Right now though everything is fine. A week ago Monday the hottest day of the year here it ran smooth after starting and I haven't had a problem since. Knock on wood. Maybe later or when it get cold the same thing will happen. At first I thought it was the fuel filter since it was so intermittent. But then why would it all of sudden after 4-5 minutes smooth out with full power so that doesn't make sense. Actually nothing makes sense since it runs fine now, knock, knock. I'll relay this info to my mechanic in case this happens again. Another mechanic did say he thought it might be something to due with the jets - '85 GSL-SE.
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Old Apr 1, 2015 | 07:59 PM
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Gsl-se doesnt have jets. Its EFI.
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 02:42 AM
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^^^ agreed - if your mechanic says it's the jets - find another mechanic.

If it were me, I'd track it down myself and fix it so I don't have to worry about it acting up again, but that's me. Good luck,
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Old Apr 8, 2015 | 10:38 AM
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Could have just knocked the dirt out of the injectors or filter.
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