HELP wagon runs like dump

89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
ok so lately now that its getting colder the wagon has been running like [Censored] in the mornings until it gets warm....normally i wouldn't think about it but it takes forever to get warm....it feels like it just looses a lot of power....like it slips out of time somehow.....what could cause this?


i will be putting in a thermostat this weekend to fix the warming problem maybe flush it too....

the power loss feels like its somewhere in the ignition system for some reason....don't ask why i think that i just do.

its got new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and ignitor.....i want todo the coil but idk

lmk what you think

Comments

  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    So once it gets to operating temperature it is good to go?
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    it still doesn't feel like 100% but it gets a lot better....and randomly runs like a dream every once and a while
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    ttt :oops:
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    no one?
  • JakerJaker familEE
    Any CELs?
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    code 17 speed sensor....i need a new cluster

    its been like that since i got it
  • JakerJaker familEE
    Because it only does it when the engine is cold, I would suspect that either the IAT (Intake air temperature sensor) or the ECT (engine coolant temperature sensor) are faulty. The engine relies on these sensors to know if the engine is up to temp, or if the air is cold or hot. That has a pretty decent influence on the amount of fuel the ECU injects into the engine. It could also be an O2 sensor on it's way out, but the bit about the cold engine makes that one less plausible. When this happens, if you floor the gas pedal what does it do?
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    if i floor it all the way it feels out of time then i let off just a little and it will start running better but still not 100%...and its starting to do it at all times and the temp gauge takes a long time to get to operating temp.....temp sensoer sounds right
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    what ratio are you using in your radiator? the climate change and freezing points of water:coolant could cause the motor to run sluggish and stay colder longer. try adding coolant since its freezing temp is lower. just a thought.

    good luck
    chadwick
  • JakerJaker familEE
    The engine has 2 coolant temp sensors on it though. There's one for the gauge on the instrument cluster, and a different one for the ECU. There both on the side of the head below the distributor. The one for the ECU has 2 wires going to it, and the one for the gauge only has 1 wire.
  • 89ac_EE289ac_EE2 Wagonist
    well there are 2 head in my garage so i'll pull them both off and switch em out.....might as well get a warmer thermostat while i'm at it.
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