Huge Power Loss! Need Help...

[Firehawk94]

Wait a second though... Won't the MAF resort back to the base tables when unplugged? Lets say the car is running correctly... if I unplugged the MAF it should run slightly worse, but it should still run.

Now if the maf was working improperly, when I unplugged it, the car would resort back to the preset base tables, and should run better, but not great.

Am I on the right track here... or are we facing an MAF problem?

Dan

Depends. If you already have a check engine light then it is already running in "limp home mode". So if you disconnect the MAF sensor and nothing changes that is your problem.

On another note, my buddy has an 89 T/A which has a MAF sensor also and when its diconnected the engine will stop. IMHO that would be the definition of a good MAF sensor, but if you disconnect yours and nothing changes then, well thats self explanatory.

There really isnt a good way of diagnosing this problem without a code reader.

[pocket-rocket]

Wait a second though... Won't the MAF resort back to the base tables when unplugged? Lets say the car is running correctly... if I unplugged the MAF it should run slightly worse, but it should still run.

Now if the maf was working improperly, when I unplugged it, the car would resort back to the preset base tables, and should run better, but not great.

Am I on the right track here... or are we facing an MAF problem?

Dan

Maybe it's already running on the base tables because the MAF is bad hence nothing changing when it's unplugged...

[robertisaar]

Maybe it's already running on the base tables because the MAF is bad hence nothing changing when it's unplugged...

beat me to the punch...

[pocket-rocket]

beat me to the punch...

Someone has to keep you on your toes

[Firehawk94]

And if you wanna get technical.....I beat BOTH of you to the punch! HA HA! I just worded it a bit different.

[pocket-rocket]

And if you really want to get technical, Robert pointed it out in post 20 & 26 (hinted at it in 13) and I concurred in post 27

[robertisaar]

And if you really want to get technical, Robert pointed it out in post 20 & 26 (hinted at it in 13) and I concurred in post 27

i would have went through and done that myself, but i'm lazy/busy...

[Danspeed1]

Maybe it's already running on the base tables because the MAF is bad hence nothing changing when it's unplugged...

I can roll with that... I will add a new MAF to the list...

DG

[pocket-rocket]

I know MAFs can be pricey, so I would try to find someone who has a scanner that can read live data before throwing a MAF at it, just to be sure. I know money doesn't grow on trees, especially lately.

[Danspeed1]

I know MAFs can be pricey, so I would try to find someone who has a scanner that can read live data before throwing a MAF at it, just to be sure. I know money doesn't grow on trees, especially lately.

Well, I think we fixed the problem tonight. I would like to thank everybody for all the good help and information. Those of you who suggested the MAF were right on; BUT....

This is very strange. I disconnected the MAF BEFORE removing the cat, and it ran the same. Next I removed the cat and ran it with open exhaust. It felt slightly better but was still missing like crazy. Before I got back to the house I decided to disconnect the MAF once more. I have no idea why, but the car is running great with the MAF disconnected and the cat off the car..... I will replace the cat with straight pipe tomorrow and look for a new MAF. I have no idea why this combination is working, but I am happy to live with it and be able to keep driving the car.

Dan

[Mole1333]

I would suggest chopping the cat anyway. replace it with a decent muffler and remove the two out back. I did this with my 1995 Z34 and it sounded good and actually shifted better after I just removed the Cat alone. My second guess would be to check your fuel pressure. Mine had the pump go in and out sporadically. But usually it will not start at times. Also if you just did the belt and stuff I suggest you look into doing that chain too, I did the belt on mine the chain broke at 196,000....sad it screamed like a beast.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

mine has a resonator where the cat was (gets rid of backfiring) and two magnaflow mufflers at the back with 2 3/4" mandrel bent pipes connecting them, and a Y pipe after the rear suspension/axel whatever you wanna call the unileaf and stuff there. it was a bit of a job to fit it all in there, not alot of room under the drivers side, so if you plan on this road get a good sawsall (sounds like you have one already) and look for a 'stubby' muffler for that side and one to match for the other side.

i WANTED the resonator, then a glasspack inline style muffler then just two pipes out the back, but the guy said it would sound a little redneck that way, and suggested i go with this. im much happer.

the first time around we used two narrow pipe style magnaflow mufflers at the back but it has more power and runs smoother, accelerates smoother and gets better mileage with these ones on.

personally i wouldnt go any other way. maybe different brands of mufflers, but for the results i got im very happy.