Fuel injector problem?

Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 157,000 MILES
I have replaced the fuel injector twice. This is the third fuel injector that doesn't spray all the parts that came from rockauto. Car idles rough misses and stumbles when lightly pressing the accelerator. Black smoke out the tail pipe and throttle body has become blacked up.
Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 AT 4:22 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 382 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure it sounds like a pressure problem maybe the fuel pressure regulator. It sounds like it's dumping too much fuel.
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Thursday, May 1st, 2025 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
I have seen a defective fuel injector cause this issue. FYI. also you should run the codes to see if any are stored, this guide can help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
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I ran the codes got 22 TPS signal voltage low. 23 intake temperature sensor out of range low. 45 oxygen sensor rich exhaust.
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Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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I have changed the TPS and intake air temperature sensor recently.
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Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If you still have these codes with changing the sensors you may have a bad ECM. I would double check the grounds for the engine computer harness.
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Sunday, May 4th, 2025 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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Don't know how to do that.
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Sunday, May 4th, 2025 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 382 POSTS
Not sure about this car but on some of the 80s cars these codes can be cast when the pump fails especially if yours is the type where the ECU doesn’t control the pump like newer cars its usually turned on by a relay and simply regulated mechanically by the regulator usually by means of vacuum and sometimes electricity. Anyway, since you replaced those parts already, I’d say check the fuel pressure sounds like a pressure problem. Possibly the pump is bad or fuel pump relay or fuel pressure regulator . Most likely the pump at this point in the process. If the car still runs at idle but stumble as soon as you give it gas. Yeah, I’d say check it to make sure it's operating normally and if it’s not there then check the ECU. Good luck.
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Sunday, May 4th, 2025 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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Where is the fuel pump relay located?
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Monday, May 5th, 2025 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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And how do I check the ECU?
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Monday, May 5th, 2025 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
MECHTRIX
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The relay box should be under the hood I think it's on the passenger side it's a black plastic box look in there. It should have a chart on the inside of the cover to tell you which is the pump relay. Also you can simply turn the key off and on without starting the car and see if you can hear the pump running for a few seconds it's hard to hear sometimes though especially if it's in the tank got to be quiet to hear it. If you don't hear it then you might need a relay but lucky these things are pretty easy to check doesn't take too long.
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Monday, May 5th, 2025 AT 11:51 PM

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