Car Trouble

1993 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM
163,000 MILES
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CGRL22
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
So my car was running fine, then when I went to push the gas it wouldn't go and ended up dying on the side of the road. Thought it might be vapor locked from cheap ethanol gas. So let it sit, put regular unleaded in it and fuel cleaner. Ran ok. But then went to leave work and it stalled out again. Had it towed home, let it sit, went out and started it, and it started fine, but the engine was shaking the whole car and an overwhelming smell of gas was in the car. Someone please help.
May 19, 2013 at 12:18 AM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
When you have an engine running problem please tell us which engine you have.

You can't have vapor lock. The fuel constantly circulates back to the tank and any air bubbles would go with it.

When it doesn't start, check for spark first. If it's missing, you need to check if the automatic shutdown (ASD) relay is turning on during cranking. The easiest way to do that is to measure the voltage on the positive terminal of the ignition coil. You should see 12 volts there for one second after turning on the ignition switch, then again during cranking.
May 19, 2013 at 1:07 AM
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