I just got this 88 SE that has some wierd issues. Im pretty certain the engine has good compression because it has little smoke and really slows the car down when you let off the gas! When i start up most of the time the car starts, goes to 2000 rpm, then dies. Has little power most of the time but sometimes something changes and the car takes off like a rocket. The "power" stays for a few seconds then begins to surge violently, then goes back to the no power situtation.

Anyone know whats wrong?

 

You may have 2 problems. The lack of power could be 1. clogged cat, with the broken piece floating around. Hit the cats with a soft hammer, do you hear rattling? 2. I have run across bad connections at the secondary inj. If you pull the plug off, it looks good, but when you put it on the electrical connector pushes out of the plug(hidden by the boot). Pull the boots back so you can see the pins from the back side as you install them. On the cold start stall. Check the basic tune stuff first. Is it stalling after the 17 second cold high idle(3000rpm) comes down? If you give a little gas will it continue to idle? If so check the thermal wax unit on the throttle body. Rob

 

Check your TPS.

Irv, Keith's dad

 

First thing I would look at would be the fuel filters.

 

I have a '91 N/A, it has a 2 piece TPS coarse and fine, how do you check them?

I want to set the idle properly, but I what about the interaction between the idle air screw, 2 TPS units and the idle stop.

So how do you get all of these to the right starting point?

I recently cleaned the TB and the idle went up 1000 rpm, I adusted it back down with the idle air screw but I'm not sure that it is correct given all of the variables

 

There isnt even any 17 second idle... starts up .. goes to 2k for 1 sec.. then dies.

Already replaced fuel filter. Dont think the cat is clogged cuz the recent owner put a new one on but ill check anyway. Guess ill check the TPS ans secondarys while im at it

Anything else it could be?

 

You said you just got it, was it sitting for a long time before you got it? Mine did similar things, cutting off, power surging...ect..... All I did was take it out and really gave it hell. I drove the hell out of it and after a few days of this the car ran perfect. That was back in March and since then I have not had any trouble with it. I'm not sure if it will work for you, but it did for me.