Hi all,

Monday morning I started my car as usual, backed out of the garage and noticed my check engine light. By the time I hit the road the lights began to dim and the engine started back firing. The car abruptly stopped and I had it towed back home. It seemed as if the car was having electrical problems.

The only thing stupid I have done lately is clean the engine. ( Saturday)

Help....

 

Check the battery and alternator to begin with.

 

Well if it says check engine I would do just that Also take the battery to a local advance auto or batteries plus and they should test it and charge it for free. But definitly scan that ecu so you can tell what kind of code its throwing that will aid you immensley in figuring out whats wrong.

 

Cleaning an engine, at times, will have an adverse affect on some electrical components if done with high pressure or steam. If you have a meter see if any "juice" is coming back into the battery. Chances are it's the alternator or associated wiring.
And like the previous post, if no test eqipment available, just take them to the local parts store for testing.

 

One item I wanted to add is to be certain the alt belt is tight. Below is the address to pull codes, but don't see anything relating to an electrical component malfunction:
http://www.1300cc.com/howto/how2/codes.html

 

Thanks everyone, I will get my coffee and start checking everything.

 

I checked the engine code..

It is on for a second then off for a few...over and over. I am going to take a guess and assume that is code 01.

I have a trailing ignition coil problem, I guess that will explain the backfiring.

I will keep troubleshooting.

Thanks again for any help...

 

Does anyone know how to check the coils?

 

OK, I found a book testing the coils. I had less than an ohm on all. I checked the wires, they all had sprk.

My neighbor walks over and asks if I sucked a rag into the air intake.

After thinking for a moment pulled the air filter box apart..no rags.

The large plastic valve under the filter was stuck open......?

I then cleaned the large plastic with simple green..started the engine and it ran great..

What happened???????

 

I guess you don't take care of the car as well as the last owner, "just look at him!!!!"

 

your alternator went out maan!!
just replace it and wala!! lol