Jump to content
HybridZ

280Z won't idle, has no power, and dies randomly.


Recommended Posts

Hey guys! I've looked everywhere before posting this and haven't found anything like the problems I'm having here or on a few other sites.

I bought a pretty much stock 1978 280Z a couple months back as a project car and have constantly had these issues and have never been able to find the culprit. Basically when I try to let it idle it will drop to 500 RPM sit there for a few seconds then die, but if I keep on the throttle it will stay alive and run pretty good going through the rev range although at anywhere between 3,000-4,000 when you let off it backfires.

 

Now my other issue is when driving it will suddenly lose power and it will either come back after a bit or the RPM will start bouncing and it will just sputter and die, then after a few minute it will start right up and run strong for a bit. Or when starting out there is barely any acceleration until around 3,000 then it will pick up and pull hard. Although recently it just has barely any acceleration whatsoever. it's just dead no matter where in the rev range or which gear.

Almost always when this happens there's a popping that sounds like backfiring but is actually the AFM which gets stuck at say half open when it should be all the way then it pops and goes back to normal and power will return for a bit after that.

 

My personal thoughts are the AFM is bad seeing as how the car sat out and the AFM didn't have that plastic cover on it. Although the wiring could be part of the problem seeing as how all the fuel injector and sensor connectors are pretty much falling apart from dry rot.

What do you guys think it could be?

Thanks in advance!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't had access to a fuel pressure gauge so I haven't been able to check that. But when I get the chance I will.

I had my AFM looked at and it was confirmed bad. He said I should replace both of the boots to and from it as well since they're cracked. Also am going to splice on new connectors for everything and see if that helps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What was wrong with the AFM? Did you/he do a resistance test on all the pins? AFMs can be expensive, try testing it and fuel pressure before buying new parts. If the boot after the AFM is cracked open, then it could cause problems, maybe not what you are describing though. Also - There is a fella on here who sells harness plug kits for our system. His kit is very good, the plugs are top notch, sealed with little silicon grommets etc. I will try and find his user ID.

Edited by ISPKI
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...