car trouble

i have a 93 saturn 1.9 4cly it will not run when iyt cranks up idle starts
2000 drops to 400. when it does run when i put it in gearit shuters real bad
and cutsa off!! any ideas???

 

First thing I'd check is spark plugs and plug wires -- those are pretty
classic symptoms of a four-cylinder engine that has only three (or two)
cylinders firing.

There are other things that could cause that, too, but eliminate the simple
stuff first.

 

If plugs (check gap and condition or replace), ignition wires (replace if
they are old), and coil towers (they can get corroded causing mis-firing)
check out OK, then remove the air induction duct to the throttle body and
clean the throttle body thoroughly with a good throttle body cleaner, old
toothbrush and soft rag.

Also if that does not help, then verify that all the fuel injectors are
firing properly. A can of good FI cleaner can help open the injectors and
improve delivery/vaporization.

Bob

 

Visit any Autozone store and have them read the codes - people here have
stated that they do it for no charge. My guess would be a sticking idle air
control solenoid in the throttle body. But don't start spending money and
replacing parts based on guesses, get the stored codes read first to see if
they tell you anything.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]