1988 Suzuki Samurai LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING

JERKEMAN

MEMBER
1988 SUZUKI SAMURAI
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
34,000 MILES

IN THE LAST MONTH THE ENGINE HAS STALLED OUT 9 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. 5 TIMES AFTER GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AT ABOUT 35 MPH, 1 TIME AFTER HITTING POT HOLE IN PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 3 MPH, 2 TIMES AFTER GOING OVER SHALLOW DIP IN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH, (COMPLETELY LOST POWER WITHIN 5 SECONDS IN ALL OF THESE INSTANCES), AND 1 TIME WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT ABOUT 60 MPH. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF CRANKING, AND SOME TIMES NEEDING A JUMP DURING THE CRANKING IT WILL FINALLY START. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN FUEL RELATED (CHOKE STICKING). I DRAINED THE GAS TANK AND FOUND VERY LITTLE DIRT, AND THE FUEL FILTER WAS CLEAN. I RAN A CAN OF FUEL ADDITIVE THROUGH THE GAS TANK AND SPRAYED THE CARBURETOR WITH CLEANER. I DID HAVE ONE LEAKING VACUUM LINE WHICH I REPLACED. THE REASON I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL INSTEAD OF FUEL RELATED IS BECAUSE OF THE SHORT TIME IT TAKES FOR THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER AFTER GOING OVER THE TRACKS AND THE OTHER INSTANCES.

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi JERKEMAN,

Thank you for the donation.

Symptoms indicates it is more likely to be due to electrical failure rather than fuel. For carburetted engine, when fuel related failure occurs, it would tend to bog down first before finally stalling as the carburettor is not going to dry out immediately.

Most of the time some bumping or uneven road conditions cause the problem. Check for loose or weak wire harness connectors, especially the distributor and ignition switch. The bumping could have caused the connections to momentarily lose contact resulting in the engine stalling.

The next time it occurs and prolonged cranking time is needed, check if sparks are available. If none it means an electrical fault.