I was coming up the NJTurnpike today and the car was fine from Atlantic City up to about Newark Airport, where I noticed an instant noticable (~20 percent loss in power). I figured that the car was just getting hot, and took it easy for the next 10 miles or so. When I got to the GWB tolls (about 10 miles later) and started to accelerate again, I noticed that 1.)the power loss was still there, and 2.)there was a 'different' sound from the engine, more like a lawnmower kind of sound instead of the usual rumble. I continued to drive, mostly because the check engine light still had not lit up.I drove about another 15 miles on the highway at normal speeds and when I got off the highway this time, the car had a vibration from it, but NOT from the steering wheel (and I had a strong smell of gasoline also). I drove it the 3 blocks to get to someones house, and as it idled it continued to do the same thing. I turned the car off, checked underneath to look for a exhaust system leak (there isn't any), looked under the hood for a loose hose (there isn't any, and checked all the electrical connectors (all tight, but I'll get back to that in a minute.) I checked the ECU to see if it had any miscellaneous trouble codes, but all I got was the 'all clear' 0505 code. When I went back to the front of the car, I noticed that the number 6 injector connection was making a sparking sound, even though the car was turned off, and the key was not in the ignition. I took it off to confirm that it was the component actually making noise, and confirmed it was. I once again started the car for some reason, it took about 15 seconds to start, started but then idled somewhat roughly,but less rough than from about 3 minutes previous. I also checked the exhaust color, and it was a somewhat gray color.

I'm going to assume that either the injector is clogged or died, but does anyone else have any ideas? And is there a way to figure out if that is the actual problem without taking it out first?

Thanks to all in advance.

Cliff's Notes: Driving up highway with A/C on in 90 degree heat. Drove 100 miles fine that way. Car had an instant moderate loss of power with no CEL. Drove another 15 miles and upon heavy acceleration, noticed that car was making a slight lawnmower-like sound, but again no CEL. Contined to drove and about another 10 miles later got off highway and noticed that car was vibrating and had strong gas smell. Pulled car over and noticed that usually clear exhaust has slight gray color to it and that the electrical connector for cylinder 6 is making a sparking noise. No obviously loose connectors, no lose exhauset pieces, not CELs, even in diagnostic mode.

 

I'd say the injector is done.

 

is that you medic? umm iagree with deezo on the injector

 

It might be a PITA...

You could swap that injector to a different cylinder and see if the problem moves with it. This might help you diagnose the injector or the circuit.

 

it sounds like an exhaust leak.

 

I have an aftermarket exhause system, and with the immediate power loss and sound, I thought it was the exhaust also, but alas, it is not, as I have checked it, and there are no leaks.


The car still takes about 10 seconds to start, but it runs normally, except apparently when going up a steep hill. At that time, I can replicate the symptoms. It also does the exact sam thing if I completely disconnect the injector from the wiring harness.

I will try a fuel injection system cleaner tomorrow,after getting contact cleaner in case it is a grounding problem, followed by a fuel injection cleaning at the dealership (yes, I know). If it resolves itself, I will chalk it up to a clogged injector, but if not, then I guess a new injector is in order (hopefully it isn't a short in the wiring harness it self.)

 

Could be the EFI switch....my car was doing something similar and when i replaced the EFI switch the problem went away.