VEHICLE DATA:
1989, 245, LH 2.4, B230F Non-Turbo
Automatic Trans.

SYMPTOMS:

1. STARTS OK SOUNDS OK
2. THEN STALLING at 30 SECONDS AFTER START ***
3. 2ND START, THEN STALLING at 47 SECONDS ***
4. 3RD START, ENGINE STAYS RUNNING [ALMOST STALLING, AS IDLE DROPS, BUT THEN THE ENGINE--ECU KEEPS ITSELF RUNNING.
5. THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGHER AND SHAKY AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP.
6. IDLE IS NOW STABLE BUT ENGINE STAYS SHAKY AND DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL

*** NOTE: GIVING THE ENGINE SOME THROTTLE GETTING IT RUNNING AT 1000 RPMS OR HIGHER WILL PREVENT THE STALLING SYMPTOM, BUT THE ENGINE STILL STRUGGLES TO STALL. THERE ARE NO FAULT CODES PRESENT


ACTION TAKEN:

First, I did all the basic maintenance work usually done: plugs, Dist cap/rotor, wires, flame trap and all pcv hosing; ground connections, etc.; checked for loose wires, etc., but nothing found; drive belt tension ok; starting and charging systems ok. I can think of a few more minor things but nothing that would really cause these symptoms. I have a new O2 sensor but did not consider that a real possibility. Think I'll road test this one just to be sure.

AMM — Have 2 of these. Both passed ohms tests; no difference; runs worse with AMM's disconnected
IACV — Have 3 of these. Both passed ohms test, vibrate and valve opens
CTS — passed 1 ohms test (New England Temps), while in engine
TPS -- adjusted properly; passed continuity tests ***
Intake Manifold Gasket — No leak found
Vacuum leaks — Leak found in large accordion tubing to TB plastic welded leak. Cannot find anymore leaks
Fender 25 amp fuse — ok


***
BTW, the Bentley TPS test is one of many pieces of misinformation in that manual. It is an impossible test to pass, electrically and as a matter of physics. Bentley has shown to be one of the worse manuals I have ever owned. Threw me off many times. What a POS !!!

I wish someone would publish a list of extremely specific symptoms [kind of like how the ECU's are supposed to work] because I really could appreciate not having to see every know cause listed for each and every engine symptom. I mean why don't the authors just say, "The cause of any engine problem can be the same for all problems and be done with it."

thanks,
diyer