3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Plugs bad already?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24, 2011 | 05:27 PM
  #1  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Plugs bad already?

Put a fresh set of plugs in with my rebuild. The car ran for about two weeks (85 miles) in limp mode due to a knock sensor issue. After the third day I started to get a slight stumble at low rpms, most noticeable at slower speeds. Felt like a misfire really. It got worse slowly. Now my knock sensor is fixed and limp mode is gone, but the stumble is still there and getting worse and more common. Today it was to the point where cruising at 25 mph the car stumbled and bucked as soon as I released the clutch to accelerate. Would idle fine but would not start from a stop. Shut the car off and started it back up and it was fine. Im thinking maybe my plugs are toast from running in limp mode so long. Any thoughts? I searched but couldn't find something so specific.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 04:36 AM
  #2  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Had no issues this morning (0500, 4 mile drive). Seems as I have issues in the afternoon once it gets 80* plus here at Camp Lejeune.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 08:54 AM
  #3  
rx7rcer09's Avatar
Sir Braps A lot
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 1
From: Hilliard, OHIO
what ecu are you running? with a new build the motor may be running too rich or to lean when at temp. also what injectors are in the car? there is a large list of possible reason for the stumble, lets try to narrow them down.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 09:55 AM
  #4  
RENESISFD's Avatar
Wastegate John
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 9
From: Long Island NY 11746
^My guess would be stock computer due to the OP mentioning limp mode.

Is this car a DD? Why would you drive it for 2 weeks in limp mode?

Why dont you just pull the plugs and see? Is the idle smooth? What RPM?


John
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 11:59 AM
  #5  
RENESISFD's Avatar
Wastegate John
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 9
From: Long Island NY 11746
Double post

Last edited by RENESISFD; May 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Reason: Double post
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 12:39 PM
  #6  
wstrohm's Avatar
Recovering Miataholic
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 50
From: Fountain Valley, CA
You might want to check out post #42 (and subsq.) in this thread.
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 06:11 PM
  #7  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Yes stock ecu and injectors. I didn't really have a choice as to driving in limp mode, my dd was in the shop. Idle is smooth but sometimes higher than normal (1100 rpm). I've got plugs coming tomorrow as a starting point. I'm also gonna check tps voltages as a start.

Thanks for the help guys
Reply
Old May 25, 2011 | 06:18 PM
  #8  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Originally Posted by wstrohm
You might want to check out post #42 (and subsq.) in this thread.
This has alsO peaked my interest so this weekend I'm planning to add some 8 gauge grounds. Thanks!
Reply
Old May 27, 2011 | 04:30 AM
  #9  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Update: changed the plugs and the problem is still there. Going to source some 8 gauge wires for grounds and try that.
Reply
Old May 27, 2011 | 04:32 AM
  #10  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
And temp is not a factor as it acted up this morning on the way to work.
Reply
Old May 27, 2011 | 09:26 AM
  #11  
darkphantom's Avatar
The king of the highway!
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,988
Likes: 0
From: Home of the 305 Boyz(miami)
check your wires.... also ive had the same problem (went through two plugs after a rebuild) running the car rich will do that to them.. be very careful not to richen out the car.
Reply
Old May 29, 2011 | 04:27 PM
  #12  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Had some known good wires and set of coils so I swapped those in. Also added some grounds. Negative terminal to shock tower; shock tower to coil/rats nest rack, there to upper intake, intake to firewall. About to go for a long test drive. Results shortly....
Reply
Old May 30, 2011 | 01:37 PM
  #13  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Took a couple shorter drives. Issue seems close to non-existent. Hopefully it's gone. Next step is power fc, block off plates and a tune.
Reply
Old May 30, 2011 | 05:34 PM
  #14  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Still doin it. Fml
Reply
Old May 30, 2011 | 07:33 PM
  #15  
wstrohm's Avatar
Recovering Miataholic
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 50
From: Fountain Valley, CA
Did you do the stuff linked to in post #6 above? I know you added grounds, but did you fix the ones already there?
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 06:15 AM
  #16  
Banzai-Racing's Avatar
Rotary Specialists
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,868
Likes: 344
From: Indiana
Possibly an intermittent TPS issue
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 07:26 AM
  #17  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Originally Posted by wstrohm
Did you do the stuff linked to in post #6 above? I know you added grounds, but did you fix the ones already there?
I went through all the grounds in the engine compartment. Cleaned them up, then added a couple more.
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 07:29 AM
  #18  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Originally Posted by Banzai-Racing
Possibly an intermittent TPS issue
My tps has two Phillips head adjustment screws. I'm having a fun time trying to get to them, I need to get a 1/4" drive ratchet to get at them as my 1/4" to 3/8" adapter is too long.

I also have an extra tps (cough..thanks chris...cough) incase this one is bad.
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 09:35 AM
  #19  
Banzai-Racing's Avatar
Rotary Specialists
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,868
Likes: 344
From: Indiana
Honestly from reading your other thread, it sounds like you have a crispy engine harness, this would be the cause of countless issues.
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 10:33 AM
  #20  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Originally Posted by Banzai-Racing
Honestly from reading your other thread, it sounds like you have a crispy engine harness, this would be the cause of countless issues.
I agree 100%. Its on my list of things to change out. Even if its not the cause, its a ticking time bomb with as brittle as it has been. Im sure the price of a new oem harness is pretty high. Ill probably do a new harness when I do my Power FC and blockoff plates. I may get in touch with you guys to do some work for me shortly.
Reply
Old May 31, 2011 | 10:34 AM
  #21  
goalguy02's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, nc
Originally Posted by wstrohm
Did you do the stuff linked to in post #6 above? I know you added grounds, but did you fix the ones already there?
I searched that other thread and found the service info on bad stock grounds. Cleaned up those and added another ground from the lower harness ground to the fenderwell ground I added previously.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Th0m4s
Build Threads
25
Feb 26, 2019 02:04 AM
sYnth.
Build Threads
0
Aug 19, 2015 06:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.