this is my first post here.

 

i recently bought this 4wd model (manual) from a friend. it has about 149k on it. i changed the dist. cap and rotor and oil as soon as i got it. it had been stalling when stopped at lights. it seemed to slightly improve but was still idling rough.

 

the car ran fine for a couple of weeks--even took it out for a 4 hour trip one day without any problems.

 

shortly after that, after running for a while, it started to act like it was running out of gas--lurching forward--and then stop completely. at this point it wouldn't hold an idle. it would have to sit overnight before i could drive it again. i changed the spark plugs, fuel filter and cleaned around the carb to no avail. my friend checked to make sure gas was coming into the carb. it was.

 

i was able to use it to take short trips to the store, but one day the battery was totally dead--wouldn't charge up when jumped. could only jump it once and drive it. i replaced the battery, and it seemed to fix the lurching problem. apparently, the car was running mostly off the alternator (according to the battery guys). it's been great for the last 3 weeks...until today.

 

after driving it for a few miles, the lurching problem came back and it's sitting on the side of the road.

 

any idea what this problem might be?

 

thanks.

welcome too the site. 149K on your car, it is just getting broken in. Great rigs and hope you enjoy the ride.

 

....... it started to act like it was running out of gas--lurching forward--and then stop completely. at this point it wouldn't hold an idle. it would have to sit overnight before i could drive it again.

Several things could be causing this.... here are some ideas:

 

My 84 Brat was doing the same thing... turned out to be the electronic/pic-up unit in the Distributor... it would get hot and start cutting out... another, possibly the fuel pump and or filter.

 

At the age of the car things just begin to fail... but it gives you a chance to bond with your rig to try and figure out what is wrong.

I try not to shotgun a repair (replace parts that may or may not be the problem) but since I got two rigs the same age it makes it simple to switch parts to help diagnose the problems.

 

 

i changed the spark plugs, fuel filter and cleaned around the carb to no avail. my friend checked to make sure gas was coming into the carb. it was.

 

i was able to use it to take short trips to the store, but one day the battery was totally dead--wouldn't charge up when jumped. could only jump it once and drive it. i replaced the battery, yes, when the battery or Alt. goes in these rigs it causes all sorts of strange effects ... related? who knows? and it seemed to fix the lurching problem. apparently, the car was running mostly off the alternator (according to the battery guys). it's been great for the last 3 weeks...until today.

 

after driving it for a few miles, the lurching problem came back and it's sitting on the side of the road.

 

any idea what this problem might be?

 

thanks.

First guess would be fuel filter or fuel pump.

I'd say get that alternator removed, and tested. Freaky things happen when the alternator is on the fritz...

is there any chance this could be a problem with a sensor? does this model even have sensors?

is there any chance this could be a problem with a sensor? does this model even have sensors?

 

'85 - it would be carbed. It may be a feedback carb with sensors, but it would have to be a California model if that's the case.

 

Looks like you are close to me. Perhaps you can bring it by this weekend. PM me if you are interested. I'm in West Linn.

 

GD

latest update: changed the spark plug wires and it started up and ran fine...for a miles around town. then it stalled again.

 

i waited until the next morning, but it still would not hold an idle (which is the first time it's done this).

 

put in a new fuel pump but to no avail.

 

btw, the alternator was tested and is fine.

Sounds like the carb has an intermittant sticking float or something. I had a Hitachi that did that. Unfortunately it could be so many things that you'll have to diagnose further before we can help you over the internet.

 

Shotgunning parts at the thing is just a waste of money. Find a problem before you replace stuff.

 

GD

I'm going to say: Change the fuel filters. There are two. One in engine bay, one right next to pump.

 

You'd be surprised. Should have changed those first.

 

EDIT: I Reread your post. Did you change both fuel filters?

Johnson']I'm going to say: Change the fuel filters. There are two. One in engine bay' date=' one right next to pump.

 

You'd be surprised. Should have changed those first.

 

EDIT: I Reread your post. Did you change [i']both[/i] fuel filters?

 

i changed the one by the pump, but not the other....you say it's right by the engine?

Johnson']EDIT: I Reread your post. Did you change both fuel filters?

 

EA82 carb's only have the one by the tank. It's the EA81's that have the "vapor seperator" that is also a filter in the front.

 

GD