kcf881

My 91 se 5spd runs fine at times then it won't rev past 2000 rpm, will shut down without warning and then bang! back to normal. I live 2.7 miles from work and can expect this to happen twice each trip. there are no check engine lights and I changed the MAF, no good what could this be?

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

you might have a loose connection on the maf wiring, or another bad MAF. warm the car up, then jam a dime or penny between the throttle and its stopper (front passenger side of throttle body) which should make it idle around 3000rpm or so... then wiggle the MAF harness and see if the rpm ever drops. If wiggling the maf harness causes the RPM to drop/stumble or even get stuck at 2000, then you have a bad connection. if you're lucky then you just need to get a tiny screwdriver in there and mash the connectors back together so they are nice and tight

when you are experiencing the problem, does the car behave like this (in neutral)?

kcf881

yes it does. it doesn't matter what gear or even neutral when it does this it will not go above 2k

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

You may have replaced the maf with another bad maf?

Was it a used unit?

kcf881

it is a reman from napa. i did the check you told me to and found that the pigtail to the maf was not loose enough to notice, but apparently loose enough to cause the problem. i rigged a gizmo to hold it tight (just too cold to do it right) and test drove the car with no problems, yet. thank you for your help and i welcome any more advice in case this doesn't work.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

well what i meant was pulling the connector off, and actually crimping the 5 or 6 'female' contacts inside the plug down so they grip down tighter on the 'male' contacts on the maf. the metal ring clip should hold the plug plenty tight to the MAF body, but if the actual contacts inside are not gripping tightly they need to be 're-virginized'. yes, this is one time you need to put your mind IN the gutter

maximaman1313

get a tiny screwdriver, for eye glasses or something, and look inside the connector, you want to bend the little metal contacts so they will have a tighter contact when you put the maf plug on. If the connector has green corrosion on it you need to clean it up. I have to do this with my TPS harness probably every couple months. I cant seem to find a junk yard car with a good harness to connector to swap on.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

are you stuffing the connector with dielectric grease? that will help keep you corrosion-free for alot longer than just cleaning it and plugging it straight back in.

kcf881

i'll give this a try just got back from a drive in the car and it ran fine then did the 2k stuff again

maximaman1313

yes I am. when i first noticed the problem, the connector was solid green. im debating to eletrically work out some small connectors and use shrink tube and just cut out the harness. at least until i can find a decent harness at a junk yard

maximaman1313

possibly bad maf unit then, bending the metal connections inside the harness should create a tight enough fit for longer than half a drive.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

i'm going to the JY tomorrow.. if i can find a good one i'll snip it for you but i need to know ahead of time that you do want one (and can pay immediately.. mainly cuz i have no income right now) if i find it. I dunno what they will charge for it, but of course it won't be very much.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

i think he just rigged the plug tight to the maf itself with some wire.. he's yet to do the crimping bit, but i think he will soon.