jd88

Hey guys. I encountered an issue just last night. I noticed some power loss idling through my car garage. After pulling out and gassing it the power would cut in and out causing the car to "buck" sporadically. THinking it was the transmission I pulled into an empty lot and drove the slowly and noticed it would shudder. I switched it to 1 and proceeded to drive again but stalled. all this was done in about 8 minutes.


The car started just fine. The transmission was just rebuilt. Fluid levels were fine.

Now what I find strange is after the car warmed up it was perfect. I got on the highway and gave it the beans running through every gear and didnt feel a thing. It's not lupus so what's the mystery diagnosis.

jd88

i know there's a thread for transmission issues but i don't think that is the problem.

01tl4tl

what year car?
did any dash lights come on during the bucking?--
does it feel like total loss of ignition for a second,, then comes back to life?

jd88

the car is a 2000. no lights came on. don't quite know what you mean by ignition but the car remained on the whole time. once i pulled into the lot and let it crawl on idle it shut off.

01tl4tl

ignition--99s had a recall,, and others may have a prob with the ignition switch failing--the dash lights or key green light may flash as power cuts out--then comes back on

get to a parts store, charge the battery fully- then have system tested for free
they test the alternator and battery-cables etc --only takes a few minutes

they can also test for stored fault codes pointing to the problem

jd88

Just took it to the mechanic today. He said it could be the idle control valve. He said some debris might have found its way and clogged the flow. Ill check out your suggestion and see what comes up.

01tl4tl

ahh the IACV,, yes- its common to need cleaning, but usually after its gotten shaken during TB removal for egr port cleaning-which you may need too

Do you run tier 1 gas, or the cheap stuff? 91 octane?

take the TB assembly off the car- order new gasket TB to manifold in advance,
remove iacv cover and parts inside- clean- test for free movement- reinstall

Its been happening to several ziners in the last few weeks- that being dirty and not rotating to control air at idle

been running any fuel cleaner?

jd88

Haven't been using any fuel additives or cleaners and I always use premium gas from chevron, bp or mobil. Not sure what the previous owner used though; I've only had the car for 2 months.

01tl4tl

ck a spark plug condition--over 60-70kmiles and they are ready for new

can you DIY basic stuff?

jd88

yes i'm experienced with basic maintenance work.

01tl4tl

great! you can diy the TB from manifold- flip it over- remove cover plate and IACV parts--clean with carb cleaner and put back together

jd88

Thanks I'll give it a try this weekend and post my results