Wouldn't idle, now wont run - Sensor??? SOLVED

[Marty1]

'89 Rangie 3.5

Would only idle cold for a couple of minutes then start to fade away until
it would stall. Would not idle warmed up. If you ran the car for only a
couple of minutes then turned it off, it would run like a basket case for
the next few minutes.
Now it wont start... I started it cold, drove 2 minutes, then turned it off.
The perfect scenario for when it will run like a pig next time I start it. But
one hour later it spluttered and then did not start.

I'm thinking a throttle/oxygen sensor problem, any advice???
Thanks for any help in advance.

[Lucus]

Does and 89 3.5ltr have a oxysensor? The throttle sensor is very easy to test with a multimeter. Are you sure its not a dud fuel pump or fuel pump relay?

[Marty1]

No I'm not, I've just started playing with everything now, I'll check those
next. Forgot to mention it gets a flooded smell though, so it's getting fuel.

[Marty1]

Will it run without the airflow meter connected while I'm trouble shooting?

[Lucus]

It'l cough and fart and run very ruff and rich. Do you know anybody you can borrow an airflow meter off?

[Marty1]

I don't - Everything's a little dirty in the whole body for my liking
(residue. my maintenance squedule has been a little lax).
I think the filth may be my problem... 1 last dumb arrrrsed question,
What's the sensor on the top left for???[/i]

Looking from the front in

[fnukle]

top left sensor

I assume your referring to the cold start injector.(has a electrical plug and fuel hose running to it)

you say it doesnt idle will it run tho using some throttle?
when it does run does it blow black smoke and smell real fuely?
check the tps(throttle position sensor) using multimeter. ohms should be 315 from memory, check the rover pdf's.
adjust the airflow meter bypass(size 6 allen key from memory)

[Marty1]

It wouldn't idle unless it had some throttle.
Could the cold start injector be putting in too much fuel?
Throttle position sensor good on multi

[fnukle]

well the cold start injector turns off once engine warms up.
ive pulled the plug off mine since we dont live in coldness(uk etc)

Dodgy option below :)
if it runs fine with some throttle then bend/tap the throttle tab(on throttle linkage) down more.
the one that rests against a screw

Non dodgy option.
adjust the screw.. will need to pull the shizzle off to get to it tho.

[nairbo]

My 88 Rangie did the same sort of thing on 2 different occasions the first time the ignition module amplifer (little black thingy on the side of the dissy) died so I replaced it with one out of a Ford and remote mounted it up on the guard to keep it away from the heat , it isn't too hard to test if you have a multi meter and a good workshop manual.
The next time it stopped the only to get the car to run was adjust the air flow meter , BUT this is only a last resort as they are calibrated and once they are messed with it will need resetting , but it got me going , the cause of the problem was a faulty temp sensor and at the time there wasn;t any spares available
I would start by checking the spark If none check Ign module amp

[Marty1]

Thanks all for your input, a guy here said he's had the same happen 3 times,
only when really cold (which it was.. -1) with his 3.5.
"It's flooded and you have to wait a day minimum or get it out."

I pulled all the plugs (which were all covered in fuel), pulled the fuel pump
fuse and cranked it over for 1 minute. Put in new plugs, cranked and it
started instantly for 2 seconds... Put the fuel pump fuse back in, cranked,
good as new!