Need Help...came here, figured I'd ask the experienced

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:44 pm

I have a 1990 Legacy. It will run and rev (slight hesitations) in park, but when I put it in gear (auto-non turbo) it wants to die or just run super sluggish. Can't even climb the mound in my driveway. Changed the fuel filter, plugs, PCV, air filter, all to no avail (but they needed it anyways). checked the resistance at the coils and they're all pretty close. little over on the primary, but close. started to run sluggish about a week ago, now can't drive it at all. Haynes manual isn't helping, but I'm sure someone on here could.
Should I look at the MAF and if so, any way to check without spending the $250 to replace?

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:47 pm

Find someone with a known good one for sale and test it. Don't go buy a new one.

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:49 pm

does this sound like it could be the MAF sensor or am I reaching?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:53 pm

just a bit more info...when I put it in gear, as long as I dont touch the gas it seems fine, as soo as I touch the gas, it wants to die. I feather it and can get a few more RPM's, but still not enough to move.

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:06 am

have you ever just let it sit in for a while before you give it gas or move?
mine can do that on cold starts, if it put it in gear and just let it set for a little bit and then slow start backing out giving it a little more gas it wont do it anymore
does it also idle low?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:09 am

it chugs a little on idle but I've let it get to normal temp and nothing changes. Still no go.

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:17 am

well ill see if it changes anything when i change my IAC valve tomorrow, but im not sure it will be exactly related to the problem your having
im defiantly not the most experienced person on the board so id listen to some of the others first

if you found a low mileage Leggy in a junkyard with a MAF for around $10 it couldnt hurt to change it and see if it helps
my TPS and IAC were $5.00 out of a junkyard ($300+ brand new)

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:30 am

thanks. hopin to get more ideas

gto7419 · Post by **gto7419** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:41 am

Does your exhaust smell like gas?

How old are your plug wires and plugs?

How does the car run with the maf unplugged?

Im having a very similar problem with my modded car, and the car recently stopped catching on startup. I have a strong odor of gas from the exhaust and I have a feeling my plugs are all fouled....

Are you running catted?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:47 am

exhaust don't smell like gas or coolant

new plugs, semi old wires

shuts down if maf unplugged

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:31 am

Could be plug wires. I went through a set a year until I got Magnecors.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:39 am

When did it start doing this?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:43 am

last week. noticed a loss in power on the way home from work. next morning, no power.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:48 am

Any CELs? Was it raining? Has it been hot? Anything out of the ordinary at all?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:49 am

nothing

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:54 am

Fill up your gas tank at a different station than normal?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:55 am

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:56 am

Sounds a lot like wires. I've had the car run on 2 cylinders, making me think that something catstrophic had gone wrong.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:57 am

Does the engine shake around more than normal at idle?

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:59 am

yeah, a little more. it revs decent in park, put it in gear and hit the gas and it bogs down quick

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:59 am

+1 for wires

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:02 am

guy at the parts store was saying MAF sensor but maybe he just wanted me to spend the $

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:04 am

Buy a can of MAF cleaner, that stuff works wonders

mtshaggy · Post by **mtshaggy** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:10 am

I'll get some wires and cleaner in the morning... I appreciate the ideas from you both

entirelyturbo · Post by **entirelyturbo** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:33 am

I'd say wires or MAF. You can get a used one from a JY for about $20-$30 and just try it and see if it works.

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A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

Need Help...came here, figured I'd ask the experienced

Need Help...came here, figured I'd ask the experienced