aspire

[hofficergrover]

OK it's a 96 5 speed aspire. The car runs ok for like 3 mins then it will die if let idle, but it runs bad when you try to rev it up like starts misfiring acts like it is out of time, but is in time. They had a shop change plugs, wires, rotor, cap and the disty and coolant temp sensor and fuel filter. It is getting fuel with good pressure. what you guys think?

[stevewl1164]

Mine seems to have idle flunctuations...but does not die..just check engine light coming on for idle control issue. Idle air control valve?

[hofficergrover]

Nope it don't have any lights on at all. So i don't know was thinking of the tp sensor is bad.

[Nerd Racing]

check your sensors in the bottom of the trans. the wires are prone to break on the aspire.

[hofficergrover]

Ok so what is that sensor?

[Nerd Racing]

they are on the underneath, one is by the shift gate, the other by the clutch cable.

[hofficergrover]

Ok....do you know what they are? what they do?

[JohnGunn]

Sounds like you have never seen this engine running well. If so, I would discount all that the previous owner said was done and start with the basics, spark plugs. NGK V-Power plugs carefully gapped with wire gauge so that the resistance felt when pulling gauge through gap is "exactly" the same for all plugs. In addition, I would install them one at a time, starting the engine after each one to observe the effect of each plug replacement.

If the above suggestion doesn't completely fix the problem, I would start by concentrating on the idle of the engine. Take notes and report in as much detail as you can what happens when you do the following.
1. On engine with new, perfectly gapped, V-Power plugs, start the engine.
2. Let it idle until the engine is warm and the idle speed has dropped to the set speed.
3. Record the quality of the idle throughout this process, smooth, irregular, pulsing, surging, etc.
4. Also record the initial fast idle speed and the eventual speed after warm up.
5. If the idle is perfect throughout this whole process, and it appears to be able to idle like this indefinitely, it will be time to move on to another test. I suspect it will not pass this test.

The beauty of this approach is that it is about as simple a test as you can imagine, and when you describe the results we all will have a pretty good idea of what you are experiencing, as opposed to "The car runs ok for like 3 mins then it will die if let idle."

I'm pretty sure if we can get your car to idle properly, it will run that way as well.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[hofficergrover]

All the plugs and stuff was just put in the car. It isn't mine it is some old couple's car. Also it seemed like it was misfiring so i puled one plug at a time while running to see witch one was not firing and all are firing. The shop that was working on it said it was the fuel pump, but it is working fine. They stopped working on it because they said it was to hillbilly rigged and was dangerous so they made them take it back home. So i thought i could help them out so i figured to ask you guys. I would have them to do what you say, but they don't have enough money to be buying all this stuff even tho it is still cheap.

[JohnGunn]

The spark plugs I suggested you buy would only cost $10. I still think my suggestion would be worth a try. On your spark plug test: There is a world of difference between not working properly and not working at all.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[Britstiva]

I wouldn't think it was the fuel pump. When mine went out, it didn't do any of those symptoms. It just wouldn't start here and there and then eventually at all.

I would do like JohnGunn suggested... Do you have a $20 to spare? Obviously they need the car or they wouldn't have taken it in for repair. Let this be your "good deed" for the year!

Also, on a side note... I had my Aspire to act all weird on me (skipping, surging, acting like it was choking, etc).. turned out to be just bad spark plug wires!

[hofficergrover]

I have already did a good dead for them i bought the coolant sensor for them And not charging them for working on it and driving 15 miles out of my way to help them.
And if i did have the extra money i would buy them, but i don't have any thing as well.

[JohnGunn]

I have already did a good dead for them i bought the coolant sensor for them And not charging them for working on it and driving 15 miles out of my way to help them.
And if i did have the extra money i would buy them, but i don't have any thing as well.

I hear you. What you have done shows a good heart and a generous spirit.

Would you be willing to keep trying if I donated the $10 for a set of plugs.

I could send a personal check, postal money order, or I could use my PayPal account to send it to you. PM me your preference if interested in going ahead.

To a couple with little, the difference between the value of an Aspire that runs and one that doesn't would be enormous. Closer to $1,000 than $0.00.

On second thought, you have seen and heard this car and are in the best position to evaluate whether it can be rescued at reasonable expense. Since you are the one who would have to do the work, you are the only one entitled to decide.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA