The most interesting thing (read as "undiagnosed malfunction") began last week. This is a 116K 90 744T with an M46 trans, thus, the "UpShift" arrow. I've had it for about 5 months, so no engine work (except oil and filter change) yet. The Shift Arrow will begin blinking (when working properly, it is either on or off) and the engine concurrently seems to be running on 2 or 3 cylinders - with careful footwork, I can get it up to about 2K rpm, and it has power until the revs drop. Turning the ignition switch off briefly doesn't change anything, but reving the engine for a few seconds returns it to normal, but it idles at about 1100. The arrow stops blinking, too, and idle speed will return to normal, about 800, with a brief ignition off/on, until next time. The smell of unburned hydrocarbons is evident when this happens at stops. It occurs mostly when the engine's cold, although when the revs drop to below 1800-2000, and it may happen even after its warmed up. The "check engine" light is still on from the first time this happened, but I haven't pulled the code/s yet. I'm guessing fouled or bad plugs by now, but I don't think new ones will solve anything. There is plenty of power between "incidents" and fuel consumption seems about the same, 18-20 mostly city with a heavy right foot.

My questions are: Besides needing plugs, air filter, etc., what might cause this (leaking turbo hoses, coil, plug wires, power stage, etc.) and why is the UpShift arrow being triggered? Thanks ...

Jim Weiss
83 245T, 90 744T/M46, 90 760T, 93 945T, want more...