Surging, irregular idle, random no power on accelaration

[Ephet]

now that i think about it, it looks like the coolant temp sensor but why would it cause my car to freak out?

[crazyrog17]

fail-safe feature? a really stupid one if it is.

[festivaWES]

threw it into limp mode....how is it a coolant sensor....no coolant flows through those intake runners.

I plan on updating this thread with everything I try. :S

I still think it is your distributor.....coil pickup and crank position sensor is inside of it.

[Ephet]

threw it into limp mode....how is it a coolant sensor....no coolant flows through those intake runners.

i dont know but the sensor i keep finding online looks just like it

[Ephet]

Heres proof of the coolant temp censor is causing my car to freak out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKqtcENg5R0

[Justin]

This is what is causing my Festiva to run the way it was

Sounds similar to a CTS Sensor going bad. This Sensor Uses Most of your Electrical Volts on Starting/Idling up until Operating Temp. If you have a Ohm Test Gauge hook it up to the terminals across the sensor after uplugging the connector should be cold (not started)(2000 to 3000 ohms) & once the engine reaches operating temperature (180Degrees)(200-400 ohms). Its the best explanation I can Come up w/on Your issues.

threw it into limp mode....how is it a coolant sensor....no coolant flows through those intake runners.

I still think it is your distributor.....coil pickup and crank position sensor is inside of it.

That sensor is the Coolant Temp Sensor which monitors the coolant passage temp & sends a signal to the Engine Computor. However, Disty Could still be the Problem but I recommend he try the cheaper route & replace the sensor first. I wonder if he's tried to see if all the wires are getting spark?

Heres proof of the coolant temp censor is causing my car to freak out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKqtcENg5R0

That is a Coolant Temp Sensor though so he is right & does affect Motor as Seen here in the video.

[91_festy_Gl]

CTS can cause ecu issues simply because the sensors sends temp readings to the ecu in order to adjust timing. When a car is cold, engine timing is advanced in order to warm the engine to normal opperating temps. Thats why most people notice there car runs better just after a starting it. Once normal the ecu will level out the timing and it will adjust depending on the load the engine is going through unless you have something else failing.

I went round and round with CTS on a few isuzus and DSM's.

Not sure but isnt the CTS on the thermostat housing?