88 3.8 problem November 05, 2006, 01:01:18 PM ive got an 88 bird with a 3.8 and i recently ran over a 8in high concrete wall. shortly after it started stumbling and hesitating. if i give it any gas it bogs down and dies. its not driveable at all. this is my only car. any info would be appreciated Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #1 – November 05, 2006, 03:04:50 PM Exaust system is crushed... Engine can't breathe... Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #2 – November 05, 2006, 03:06:36 PM 8 inch concrete wall?holy , ma'am. Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #3 – November 05, 2006, 05:11:33 PM exhaust is clear, it doesnt have any. hit the wall right behind the passenger side tire Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #4 – November 05, 2006, 05:50:29 PM probabally loosened up in the tank plugging your filter and or pickup. Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #5 – November 05, 2006, 10:15:56 PM crushed your fuel filter? fuel line? Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #7 – November 06, 2006, 12:16:52 AM I'll bet if you hit it THAT hard, there's also gonna be more wrong wit it than just engine probs.First thing, as mentioned before, check the fuel lines, on '88 V6 cars, the lines are mostly plastic from the lower fender area on back...might have even scuffed it enought to cause a small leak, i.e; drop in pressure, mimicing a bad pump. Check it out really well...even to the point of pulling lines off your car so you can see them really good.They're not that hard to remove it you have the disconnect tools..napa sells em at least.Let us know how it turns out.It's conceivable that you jarred some in-tank gunk loose too...might be worth it to drop the tank if the lines check out alright, new pump, and filter, as well. Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #8 – November 07, 2006, 01:14:21 PM i checked all the lines and the filter and they all seemed to be in good shape. i also ran a pressure test and am getting 43psi. someone mentioned a fuel pump cutoff switch that might have been tripped, only wouldnt this make the pump not work at all? i can hear it running Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #9 – November 07, 2006, 01:16:31 PM or maybe it just doesnt like me anymore. wouldnt blame it Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #10 – November 07, 2006, 09:39:04 PM Some cars are just evil, like my mustang, pure evil.Where are you located btw? fill in your profile.Scott Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #11 – November 08, 2006, 01:25:54 PM the cut off switch your talking about totally cuts off the power to the fuel pump completely if the car getshiznit or hits something with enough force. In turn it causes the engine to not even fire as there is no gas what so ever pumping from the tank. If the car still starts I would cross that switch off the list.But if you want to check anyway, on my 87 the switch is in the trunk behind the cover that goes over the rear of the trunk, covering the wiring for the tail lights. pull that cover forward so you can see behind it and that switch is mounted against the rear of the trunk. its a little black box with a button on top of it.The lines and everything , I would think are fine if youre getting that high of fuel pressure. it does sound like some sort of fuel starvation problem. Just a thought I may be whizzin in the wind here so perhaps someone else can add their thoughts. With a jolt that hard Im sure it prolly felt like the underneath of the car fell out, but it could be possible it stirred the junk in the tank up and allowed some dirt or something into the lines that actually made it to the injectors. that wouldnt effect the pressure reading, but would cause the engine not to get as much fuel Ive seen engines cough and sputter and loose the funtionality of cylinders when those get clogged and if its the same 3.8 that was in my 87 its only got 2 injectors total where as the engine that I witnessed that in had 6. big difference.I dont know for sure but hopefully you get it going soon. Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #12 – November 08, 2006, 05:56:23 PM could it be like a map sensor or something. it wont run at all now Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #13 – November 08, 2006, 05:59:16 PM no, it has multi point with 6 seperate injectors. so youre saying that even if the pressure is good, it could still be clogged? ill check it out Quote Selected
88 3.8 problem Reply #14 – November 08, 2006, 06:48:54 PM Back to basics, are you getting any codes? Quote Selected