Car lights dimming, stalling and check engine light turns on

GOTSCHALL1976

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET LUMINA
3.1L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
86,000 MILES

Okay, so I just bought the car listed above with 86,000 miles. It has a new fuel pump alternator and battery usually the car dose not start. Acting up until a half hour after driving or warming up I'll drive down the road and the check engine light comes on. It will constantly shut off and not want to start. It has no power going up hills either. I do not have much money due to being laid off. I'm running out of ideas. Fuses look good, new fuel pump, battery and alternator. There was a rats nest in the glove box which led me to believe a possible wiring issue, but if there is something else I could be missing I would like to try that before digging through wires.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,200 POSTS

Hi,

The first thing I would recommend is having the computer scanned for diagnostic trouble codes. If the light is coming on, that will point us in the right direction.

Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/b2IJGfImVvw

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but often times, a parts store will do it free of charge. If you have this done, let me know the codes that are retrieved.

The idea that there is a loss of power can be a few things. Is there any smell or smoke from the exhaust that seems excessive or different? A plugged converter can cause this, but since it gets better when warm, I don't think that's it. Black smoke could indicate a rich fuel mixture which can cause it to run poorly. So let me know.

One other thing, you may want to consider checking the fuel pressure to make sure it is within spec. Although the pump is new, chances are the regulator wasn't replaced. If you look at pic 1, I circled the regulator and highlighted where a vacuum hose will be attached. Remove the hose and see if there is any evidence of raw fuel being drawn into it.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Image (Click to make bigger)