I have a 98 GXE 5 speed that ran like new when I bought it w/60k about 1 1/2 yrs ago. after about a year it started bucking slightly during normal acceleration....1/4 to 1/2 pedal down. Done EFI service tune-up, major 60k and 90k service and replaced clutch kit and no change. No change until it completely stalled 3 weeks ago. (Knock sensor Bank #1) code. Replaced knock sensor and harness to it and still the car stalls with no warning. RPMs are now eratic at times...up to 1500 at idle then 1000 then 700 even 500 when it feels like it. Then it stalls like it's running out of fuel or air. Dies just the same with or without A/C just runs at 1500 - 1000 RPM before. All connections seem to be in place...No check engine light and same code on diagnostics. Totally stumped....Mass airflow, ECM, Fuel pump...relay? Any advise is appreciated.

 

Try cleaning the TB and IACV. Check the fuel pump, replace fuel filter... ummmm PCV too. Good luck. No check engine light usually means that something is just really dirty and needs to be cleaned/replaced.

 

I assume you mean Throttle Body with "TB" done it twice. Fuel filter was replaced during major service. PCV valve also replaced during service. What's the IACV? I guess the fuel pump is next.

Thanks for the info.

 

The IACV is the idle air control valve..It's next to the TB behind the engine, that controls the idle. Also Check coils, & do a compression test. But something tells me it may be the MAF, as was the case for other people with similar symptoms.

 

Thanks for the insight. I told my most recent mechanic I had a suspicion about the MAF sensor....the little screws in the sensor box look like they've been taken off or something (tampered with) but I guess it's his problem now...already payed to fix...now he's gotta fix. It's just weird that there's no fault code. Just the knock sensor code. Maybe a short in the MAF? Never thought of the coils. But if the knock sensor is cutting off the engine then the stalling engine may be producing the knocking that shutting it off right? Man, this is gonna get expensive. But love the MAX.

 

"Knock sensor bank 1"?
There's only 1 knock sensor, and it's not for any specific bank. You must be referring to the Cyl 1 Ignition coil. Since you have a 98, your car might be close enough that it shared the bad coils problem with the 99s, I'd highly recommend replacing the ignition coil in cyl 1, if that's the code you were getting, your knock sensor was probably fine.