CE light and a bucking problem

[littlecar]

Ok, so I've checked all over this place, and haven't found anything (with an answer anyway) to solve my problem.

I got a 91 L EFI 5spd and every so often, for the last three days, while driving, the check engine light comes on and the car barely wants to accelerate, then the light will go out and all is well. This happens off and on. And it bucks extremely hard when this happens. The light never stays on long enough to check the code.

I've recently changed a the fuel and air filters.

I'm thinking a bad sensor, like the VAF. But I looking for input form some experienced Festiva problem solvers. Any input is great thanks.

[littlecar]

update

replaced VAF and did tune up, minus wires, they'll be here tomorrow. Still runs like poorly but better. Still getting a Check engine light intermitly. The bucking and gas problem are for the time being gone. Anybody got anything?

[littlecar]

Well, The problem came back the next day. I have it figured out to be 1) a shorting wire in the VAF sensor harness (which sounds like the problem) or 2) a bad ECU. I've been all kinds of busy recently, so I hope to solve this problem tonight or tomorrow.

[ToSloTrk]

I had a intermittent CEL,sputtering, running rich. turned out to be the ECT sensor.

[25Horseplay]

Take your car to Autozone and have them scan it to see if it held a code as to why the CE light comes on.

[WmWatt]

I think the bucking may be an ignition timing problem. When I replaced the ignition control module and started the engine it bucked for a few seconds until I recovered from the shock and turned the key off to cut the engine. When I restarted the engine the bucking did not reoccur. However I drove the car slowly a few blocks to a service station and had them check it. They charged for half and hour's labour to make a minor adjustment. That was the only time my car did the bucking thing. It's a carburetted 1989 model.

[Pocket_Rocket]

I had something similar and turned out to be my VAF sensor's connector that was loose.

[elcamino1]

Take your car to Autozone and have them scan it to see if it held a code as to why the CE light comes on.

Autozone's here won't scan anything thats not OBD II!

[elcamino1]

Autozone's here won't scan anything thats not OBD II!

As a matter of fact none of the major parts chains will!

[stevewl1164]

Mine never came on...did not notice it had a check engine light! Is that on all Festivas or unique to fuel injected models?

[elcamino1]

When you turn your key on you don't the check engine light?

[stevewl1164]

Never paid attention! If directed at me, that is! I never noticed on my three 88 carb stick models and my 91 either!