Ghost in the Engine!!!!

My02Impala · Sep 10, 2012

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and have a problem with my car that I hope someone will be able to point me in the right direction. First let me give you some basic car details: 2002 Chevrolet Impala 3.4L engine.

The Problem:
A week ago I smelled gas and decided to check under the hood and noticed my FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) leaking fuel and on top of that my spark plug on cylinder 4 was shooting out sparks when you try to start the car :yikes:. It was common sense to park and get it fixed immediately, while it was parked I also noticed that my EGR Tube was bent and decided to go ahead and do a full tune up and replace the EGR Tube (The one that connects the the EGR and the Exhaust).

Hours Later:
So after getting back from the parts store with everything I needed plus some I went on to replace it all. So now there is a New EGR and Tube, Fuel Pressure Regulator, spark plugs and wire set, Air Filter, Oil and oil filter of course. I tested my Mass Air Flow Sensor whit a Digital Multimeter that measures Hz and found that it wasn't getting a signal on the signal line (the yellow cable) so I replaced that too.

So after everything was done I tried to start Her up and she didn't want to start until after two or more times, got her started and dismissed the hard start thinking after all the work I just done could have contributed to it. Test drove it and now she don't want to go, it's like when I press the gas pedal it does the opposite and slows down, took it back home and rechecked all my work. No loose connections or anything, No misfires, No vacuum leaks, I can hear the fuel pump and everything.:dizzy:.

The next day:
First thing in the morning tried to start her up, but same thing happened, took about three or more times. Finally got it started and everything was fine :yahoo:until I got down the street :gaah:!!! Some problem, don't want to go.

Help!!
I'm at my wits end here and was wondering if ANYBODY have ANY help that will point me in the right direction. I'm gonna go change my fuel filter in a minute so hopefully that fix the problem. I just think that there is a ghost in the car because it was working perfect before I did all the work, now I regret ever doing any of it :bang:

auntjemima · Sep 10, 2012

I would check fuel rail pressure. Even with low pressure a car will start and run, however under reasonable acceleration it will die. A clogged fuel filter can also cause this.

kingnutin · Sep 11, 2012

If there was no signal to the MAF, the sensor wasn't the problem. You either have an issue with the wire between the PCM and the sensor, or a fault in the PCM.

My02Impala · Sep 11, 2012

How can I check the PCM? Is there a way to do it without having to take it to a shop? After I changed the fuel filter, the check engine light did go out. Will the MAF trigger the check engine light?

ETA: Shouldn't the MAF sensor send the signal TO the PCM and not the other way around? The MAF sensor sends the signal to the PCM to let it know how much air is going to the throttle body, right? So if it's not sending a signal then it's not doing its job. So I'm confused about how it could be the PCM.

My02Impala · Sep 11, 2012

Thanks a lot! I changed the fuel filter a couple of hours ago. It seems to be doing a little better but still not as good as it should.

CinRed · Sep 11, 2012

1st: I have no idea what I'm talking about.
I have almost as much mechanical knowledge as Ken (barbie doll)
So don't take this as a jab. It's just a thought.

But a mistake that I'd probably make is to put something in bass ackwards...
Is it possible you reinstalled something incorrectly? MAF or crossed wires perhaps?

My02Impala · Sep 11, 2012

I rechecked and rechecked my connection, and also the connections are fool proof. Only the right connection can go in the right plug. Different shapes and what not.

Thanks, I'll recheck again today to make sure nothings loose or anything

My02Impala · Sep 11, 2012

Thanks 12ltz, I'll try the MAF sensor cleaner today.

My02Impala · Sep 11, 2012

auntjemima I checked the MAF sensor using the instruction in the link below and everything worked except the signal wire. At one point it was getting a signal of around 11.5 Hz at idle but when i pressed the gas pedal the Hz reading went down all the way to 0 Hz, when I released the pedal it climbed back up to 11.5 Hz

According to the instruction, the signal was suppose to go "up" steadily and not down, so I replace it

Part 2 -MAF Sensor Test (P0101, P0102, P0103): GM 3.8L (1996-2005).

auntjemima · Sep 11, 2012

Sounds like a sensor to me. As you said, it should be increasing.

Edit: have you tried cleaning it? Maybe I missed you mention it.

Raider · Aug 18, 2013

First off. what codes are you getting at this point.

kingnutin · Aug 19, 2013

Thread is almost a year old now.

Ghost in the Engine!!!!

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