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Thread: Car Randomly Loses Power

  1. #1
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    Car Randomly Loses Power

    Hi Guys,

    When I'm driving, the car will randomly lose power and the RPM will drop really low and stall.
    For example, I'm driving normally and the RPM is at 3000. Next thing you know, it goes from 3000 rpm to 500.
    This is when I usually shift it into neutral and give it lots of gas until it revs back up again.
    Of course I can't reliably drive the car if this happens every couple minutes or so.
    It'll start back up no problems if it does manage to stall.

    I recently swapped a rebuilt 5sp tranny in there. It shifts smoothly and all gears work fine.
    Also tried to check if the ECU is throwing any codes but I don't get any blinks at all.

    Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!



  2. #2
    SEi User Shane86's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Have you tried replacing the fuel filter

  3. #3
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Finally got around to working on the car again due to a move and new job.
    Replaced the fuel filter but no luck.
    The issue has gotten worse now.
    When in neutral and I rev the car, it struggles to rev up.
    I have replaced spark plugs as well.
    Any ideas?

  4. #4

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Does the Check Engine light come on for 2 seconds when you first turn on the key? If not, the ECU is likely dead.
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


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    LXi User firefighterwhite89's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Does the Check Engine light come on for 2 seconds when you first turn on the key? If not, the ECU is likely dead.
    I fear the day this happens to mine, but with my luck, it'll happen.
    Shaggy
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    "What's my age again? What's my age again?"

  6. #6

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    No sweat, bro. Just B-swap it!
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

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  7. #7
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Does the Check Engine light come on for 2 seconds when you first turn on the key? If not, the ECU is likely dead.
    I swapped in a different ECU but still no luck.
    The car does not want to rev up at all when i give it some gas.
    It just struggles and tries to rev up but doesn't actually rev up at all.
    The car seems to idle okay....a tad rough but doesn't die.

    Any ideas?

  8. #8
    SEi User Shane86's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by Shane86 View Post
    Have you tried replacing the fuel filter
    ^^ have you done this

  9. #9
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Map sensor or fuel pressure.
    If you can rev it up but just very slowly, then check the pressure

  10. #10
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by Shane86 View Post
    ^^ have you done this
    Put in a new fuel filter recently but didn't help

  11. #11
    SEi User Shane86's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by DemonicAngel View Post
    Put in a new fuel filter recently but didn't help
    Do you have another distributor to test

  12. #12

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Wait. Is this a DX? If so, it's most likely time to rebuild that carb.


    ....if you dare.....
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


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  13. #13
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Wait. Is this a DX? If so, it's most likely time to rebuild that carb.


    ....if you dare.....
    It started off as carb but did a fuel injection conversion. It ran fine for half a year then the transmission went.
    Swapped the tranny and then it started to randomly stall and stutter.
    Now it just won't rev up at all.
    So it seems like the issue was slowly getting worse and worse over time.

    That pretty much sums it up so far.

  14. #14
    LX User Fixedit's Avatar
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Does your intake manifold have a vacuum leak? Not easy to test without a smoke machine but I'd check all vacuum hoses at least

  15. #15
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    Re: Car Randomly Loses Power

    Ground strap?

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