Help me diagnose? Stutters, stops, won't start. Options

[Outrider]

1996 Celi GT Hatch (Manual)

After it gets good and warmed up (not right off the bat), the motor skips & stutters like crazy. Then, if I let the RPMs drop, it just quits...and it won't start up until it's sat and cooled down for about an hour. This makes for a lousy commute.

In the last week, it's had a tune up w/ plugs, wires, regulator, & dist. cap. The mechanic tried a new coil & ignitor on it, but no change.

Any ideas? I sure appreciate any help.

This post has been edited by Outrider: Apr 19, 2006 - 5:09 PM

[toyotacrazy]

Does it only sputter after a highway cruise or at idle too? If its only after a highway steady cruise it probably the egr valve. But I'm leaning towards the coil. Was the tested coil a known GOOD part? If all that checks out maybe try pulling the spark plug tubes out and look for arching to ground with the engine running. If the spark comes out from anywhere other than the very end, the plug wires are junk. Also, try spraying water on the spark plug wires. Be very careful not to get shocked. Maybe wear rubber gloves. Lastly I would try putting fresh spark plugs in it. If that doesn't work let me know. Good luck!

[Bitter]

on a hot engine do a cylinder balance test. start killing ignition to one cylinder at a time until you find the one or 2 that do not affect the idle.

[Outrider]

Thanks for the advice, guys. It finally just wouldn't run at all, so I pulled it to the dealer. Turns out, the thermostat was bad and stuck open (closed?) Anyway...according to the tech, it was on "full cool" all the time and never got up to operating temperature. Plus a sensor wire was damaged.

It runs much better now. I'd say it was fixed, but the engine light popped on again (but with no accompanying symptoms) this morning. :-\

This post has been edited by Outrider: Apr 21, 2006 - 10:14 AM

[spunky393]

being stuck open would make a little since. but the just dieing doesn't. Did you get gas lately at some off brand, on the side of the road, gas station? What wire was damaged, do you know? Just seems odd.