Something is Seriously Wrong with my Car!

So, I am replying to myself to add a symptom.

The car idles ok. The problem occurs when I put it into gear and accelerate. As soon as I step on the gas it shudders and eventually stalls or it decides to catch itself and THEN shudders and stalls. I've taken it for a few test drives to try and find more symptoms.

The check engine light isn't so random as I thought. I only goes on when the engine stalls but what is weird is that the airbag light also comes on sometimes too...

IF the shop is saying it's the computer BECAUSE the codes are from ten different things.. like egr, fuel pressure, ten unrelated items.. yeah.. I'd say it was a bad computer too..

Check the condition of the battery. It may have shorted/blow cell or three.

If it checks out, I would suggest getting a computer from a junkyard. Shouldn't be too much at a self-serve and seeing if it makes a difference.

clean the air idle bypass with carb cleaner, it is like a cylinder bolted to the throttle body on the front side. That should fix it. It sets the idle and can stick when accelleratering and the car bogs or stalls.

WRONG

I agree.. there are a ton of 2.3's out there in the weeds and the computers really dont fail all that much. But it should be from the same year and Manual trans.

I didn't read that the first time, that's not just wrong but way off the scale wrong.

Thanks alot for the responses. I feel alot more comfortable changing out the computer now. I have called around a few pic-a-parts and think I have found what I am looking for as far as the serial number on the computer goes.

I'll let you know what happens.

sounds like the bypass to me, clean it with carb cleaner.

By that do you mean the Idle Air bypass Control???

So I changed out the computer today and still have the exact same problem....

Stalls alot getting started....but once I get it up and going it runs ok....only if I really step on it again after cruising will it hiccup a little...

I am starting to wonder if it is the fuel pump causing all this ruckus...any thoughts???

Appreciate the help.

Did you have the codes read again? If the codes are the same after swapping the EEC, you'll have to start working your way thru them. For example if you're getting a code for the EGR valve or its associated position sensor, you may have to replace it (about an $80 part), and so on down the line.

You didn't mention if you had done a tune-up recently. You probably ought to do some or all of the following:

A) Clean the throttle body w/sensor/TB safe cleaner B) Remove IAC and clean it along with the ports on the TB C) Remove the EGR valve and clean it along with the ports on the TB/EGR

spacer. D) Pull apart both main engine harness connectors at back of intake and

spray with electrical contact cleaner, alow to dry and snap back together. E) If MAF equiped spray the sensor with the same electrical contact cleaner.

Good luck!

John

Besides what the other response mentioned, did you check the battery?

My '97 was not drivable when a cell in the battery died.

no, chage your fuel filter now.

nope

YES!

told you..................