maks10

Car starts up fine, but when I begin to drive the car drives sluggish, feels like its under a load, and when I push down on the pedal the car hesitates also. When I stop, it dies out!!! Any help please

FormulaWolf

Mine did that due to a computer error code years ago. Knock sensor error, computer tried to readjust the timing and a/f delivery making it run like a turd. Do you have a check engine light? If so get the code. Might have to look up how to pull error codes if you have a check engine light. If you have no check engine light... whoohoo.. thats no fun with a computer controlled car....

maks10

No engine code, could this be an alternator???

maks10

^^^Scratch that...NOW i have a CODE 13 but I have no O2 sensor...how could this be??? PS im a beginner with this stuff...I posted this also in the ECM board. Thanks for the help

jackel200269

What do you mean you dont have an 02? What year is the car? You might check your fuel pressure, gm used a piece of rubber fuel line to connect the pump to the sending unit. This hose gets weak and blows a hole which kills your fuel pressure. By the way this is very common with these cars.

maks10

There are hedman headers on the car with no O2 sensor conected to it. What I understand is this O2 sensor is connected either to the ypipe or header/manifold and the other end to the computer, mine has none connected. I have the car almost a year now like this and no issues or code 13's. Thanks for the help. I plan on checking feul pressure again

jackel200269

You must have a carbed motor in her. If it is injected and you dont have an o2 it wouldnt be any better than a carb. The ecm uses the o2 to read your exhaust gases and make adjustment to keep an optimum tune. Actually a carbed motor could be tunned to run way better than an injected motor with no 02.

maks10

Yea it feels like the ECM is trying to adjust and its not working... So is this understanding correct, the O2 sensor plugs in the exhaust and straight to the ECM? Or is there a connection somewhere in between? I guess my question is for this O2 sensor is you have 1 end connected the the exhaust (screws in), and the other where??? Thanks. Oh and I am planning to switch to carb I just need to educate myself a little more before I do the job or have it done by someone else. Thanks

jackel200269

Well there should be a plug connection on the drivers side of the engine compartment. It will be a one wire plug. Should be with the rest of the wires that connect on the drivers side of the block. And yes the 02 threads into the header or y-pipe and hooks to the ecm with only a connector in line.

maks10

I see a sensor next to the oil filter going perpendicular to the ground..anything to do with O2 or is this oil sending unit??? Thanks for all your help

jackel200269

I would do some home work before you decide to do that swap. Yes a carb will make just as much power as fuel injection but it comes at the cost of poor idle quality, poor fuel mileage, and less power everywhere else but full throttle operation. The tpi setup your car came with is far superior to any carb. Plus the long intake runners your have make great low to mid range power which is important on a street car.

jackel200269

That is your oil pressure sensor.

maks10

Any recomendations on what to do??? I have been dealing with TPS issues and now O2 sensor related issues and no one can seem to solve these issues. Havent taken it in recently but when the TPS was acting up no shop could fix this skipping issue and I happen to disconnect the TPS and I could atleast drive it from point A to B for about 7 months. Now the O2 sensor is stirring problems. I figure carb will eliminate the 2 issues immediately.

jackel200269

Its tuff to help with out being there. I know these things can be aggravating but it would be a lot cheaper to fix what you have rather than swap to a carb. A good carb swap will cost you a bit. New carb $350 to $1500 depending on what you get, then you need a pressure regulator, then you have to figure something out with your fuel lines. All in all expensive. I would start by getting an 02 sensor installed and hooked up to the ecm. Once you get to that point see how she runs and let us know. It sounds to me like someone booty fabbed the hell out of your engine.

maks10

^ agreed ..thanks for your help and input

jackel200269

Question did you find any connectors on the drivers side of the engine that werent hooked up to the engine. I am wondering if someone put a 02 simulator in the car.

maks10

When I did my inspection I didnt see anything. I was trying to find maybe the O2 sensor dangling but no unhooked or loose connectors...If I was to install a O2 sensor, would the smog pump have to be put back in??? Thanks again

jackel200269

You should be running the tps also. Odds are if its surging or skipping at idle it needs to be replaced. With all these sensors unpluged your ecm is in limp mode which kills power and economy.

jackel200269

Nope no smog needed. If your dont have to pass the sniffer test I wouldnt run it.

maks10

ok thanks for the input I atleast have an idea what to do..O2 sensor or carb swap...thanks ALOT

jackel200269

This is what you should be trying to find.

jackel200269

No problem. Glad to help.

maks10

THANKS to everyone who has been able to throw some advice here...I finally fixed a long occuring problem along with my most recent situation. My O2 sensor was giving me problems since the 1st week I purchased the car (8/2009). Long story short had O2 sensor hooked up and welded O2 bung...PROBLEM SOLVED...thanks ..... Jackle thanks for the advice man appreciate it