Ok, This happened on the way to work. I was driving, and I stopped at a stoplight. When the light turned green, I went to give it gas, and the car just sputtered a bit, then shut off. I tried starting it, and it'd turn, just wouldn't start. If I gave it a bit of gas, it'd start, let it sit at idle, and when I touch the gas, it dies again. So, by this time I was pissed off, sitting in the middle of the street, with a cop behind me and a First shirt, trying to get this thing started. So being all mad, I just floored the gas, and tried to start it, and it started... I let it go back to idle, andI touched the gas again, and it died.... again.... so I repeat the process.... by this time I'm throwing all sorts of colorful language at the car, floored it started it up, and held teh gas so it was around 3k for a few seconds.... asked the cop to follow me and threw it in first. After I had it going, it never acted up again.... so what the hell!! runs fine now, and I'm wondering what the hell happened. Anyone know? Thanks in advance for any help on the situation, I know something has to be messed up, but what I'm not sure.

 

Sounds like a fuel problem?

Have you changed fuel filters lately?

 

I had the exact same thing happen my 97Z last night.

$100 tow to the dealer. And this morning its running fine.
Tech hooked up a pressure gage, and drove it around, could not dupicate.
This dieing out and running fine later if you let it sit has happened twice to me,
Had a dealer tuneup, that was supposed to fix a missfire after car wash problem, that included fuel filter, wires, plugs one year ago, so I dont think our problem is
I still have the car wash problem, I think its a seperate issue.

Can a fuel pump work one day and not the next?

 

I've already had a fuel pump die on this car, and it didn't do anything like what happened, this wasn't a let it sit for a day or so thing it was me in the middle of the road, letting it sit for like 5 seconds.... I'll check out the fuel filter. Thanks for all the info guys. Anyone else have any input?

 

Hi there, I had the same problem back in Sept last year. Check your MAF unit. That's what I replaced and since then it works great. i did check other things before I replaced the MAF unit. Hope this help!

 

If you suspect the MAF, you can always unplug it and see if the problem persists. Most "car wash" ignition problems generally lead to the opti being the culprit.

 

sounds like a problem I've had quite a bit in the past.. dont remember the last time i had it though..

i'd come home from work, car wouldve been fine, get up the next morning to goto work (late, of course ) and the car would start then drop dead.. it also happened a few times right after turning the car off..

it might not be the same thing you have, because the only problems i'd have with the car dying while driving ; sometimes it will idle at 500rpm and try to go lower and i have to keep the gas up..

finally i realized (after having the problem 4-5 times) that if i started it and give it gas to about 2-3k for a good 20-30seconds, it'd idle fine..


no clue what it was, honestly havent had the problem in awhile (4-6 months?)..

if it ever happens try doing the gas thing.. i belive i remember seeing a good bit of black smoke coming out when i did do it... maybe its carb or something like that causing the engine to choke.. or bad gas... /shrug

 

No Black smoke in my cases.
Thanks guys for the things to check out.
I have had this 97 z since new, and itys had the car wash problem sicnce then, and I am still totaly in love with it.
Its got 97,000 miles on it, looks and runs like new most of the time. I dont know what an OPTI or an MAF is, but ill find out, and change them out along with the fuel filter and pump. If that car wash problem goes away, Ill be so happy. Well Im off to the parts store.

 

OK, I know what a MAF, & an OPTI is. ( OPTI was replaced already. MAF checked out ok) Pricy stuff
The dealer says the carwash prob is leaky intake. And the spuratic wont run is fuel pump. I know in a couple of days cause I told em to go ahead. Il post the results. Thanks