Intermitent loss of power

[colin 900]

More trouble...

Saab 900 16v 2.0L Turbo 1988, soft top. 150000 mile approx

Intermittently losing power (last few days) for a very short period so it just gives a jerk when driving. It happens when warm and when cold, turbo seems to work ok. New fuel filter 3 years ago (average miles). Happens every few minutes.

I suspect it is a loss of an injector. Does this sound right? If so is there any advise on finding which one or cleaning the jet? Or any other tests to do?

Thanks very much ...

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by colin 900

I suspect it is a loss of an injector. Does this sound right?

No.
Check (wiggle) the plug on the Distributor. Dampen the Distributor Cap and Wires while it's idling.

[kobes]

i had this problem on my 88 i found that the wires for the 3 pin plug going into the distributor were worn and shorting out . which brought me to sudden halt on a few occasions before i found the problem.

[colin 900]

Thanks Jim and Kobes.

I took the dizzy cap off and there was a small amount of oil in the bottom. As this distributor is on its side it looks as though it was accumulating near one of the electrodes.

The wire plug to the distributor is broken too. It has been this way as long as I have had the car (and I suspect there are quite a few broken ones out there as does not look like a great design). I can see the rotor turning (through the hole where the wires enter) and can see that it would be very easy for the wires to rub and short out. I will get some heat resistant silicon sealant to plug the hole and move the wires right out of the way ... and if all else fails replace the distributor (unles the plug is a separate part??).

Thanks again ...

[colin 900]

Just took it for a test drive and still doing it. Maybe slightly different. Do you still think its a distributor problem? If so would you start replacing cap and rotor etc? HT leads were replaced 3 years ago.

[kobes]

It still seems most likely to me that it's a distributor problem, the symptoms are typical of a distributor fault which i've seen occur in many cars electronic injection. i would check the connections on to the hall sensor and all connections down those wires as just a small break in the wires will cause the loss of power. also the plug is a separate to replace.

[colin 900]

Thanks ... I have ordered a new dizy cap and rotor. I have moved the wires out of the way. Should hopefully sort problem.

Thanks again ...

[colin 900]

Purring like a kitten now ...

Thanks for everything