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Okay. I'm having this problem for about 1 year now. I just did complete tune up yesterday and thought the problem will be fixed, but not. My car stumbles and sputters when engine is hot. It gets worse if A/C is on. For example, I drop by grocery store, get out, start the car, turn on A/C and put my gear on reverse and car sputters and dies. In the morning right after I start the car, this problem is hardly there. It stumbles little bit when in reverse. Sometimes car dies at stop light. I also have this power loss when I hit the accelator from dead stop. There's a couple of seconds hesitation.

I checked vacuum leak, compression, replaced thermostat & coolant temp sensor, add injector cleaner, cleaned throttle body...etc. You name it. I did everything I could. What is it? Any idea? BTW, it's 95 MX-3 4 cyl A/T.

Use the online shop manual and do the diagnosis checks for your distributor and coil. Heat causes coils to break down.. they stop working efficiently.. the results would be no or little spark to your spark plugs. At least that is what I would check first. Hope this helps. Cheers

Tunes67

Thanks!
Got the shop mannual and will do it soon. Manual says that I have to it when temp is around 68F. Hmmm... Where I live the lowest temp is like 80. If I drive my car to the shop, my engine will be hot. Can I still do it? Well, I guess I'll do it anyway though. Just curious.

O2 sensor & HEI mod

Okay. My mechanic suspects that it's distributor, so I just ordered it. $317 from the dealership. I'm sick and tired of this, so I'll replace it right away. If this doesn't work, next will be O2 sensor. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for your help!!

could be your coolant temp sensor for your ecu also.

had that same problem thought it was the whole disty turned out it was just the cap.

I bet if you open the hood and have the engine running you can put the metal end of the screw driver down beside the disty cap you will see an electrical arc. this is because your cap is bad and your getting mosture into the cap stopping the disty from working properly...
Spray some silicon spray over the cap I would bet your problem will temerarly go away. give it a shot it wont hurt. this way you know its not the whole thing..


thx ven

i have the same problem..only mine wont quit die on me..just feels like it would die..i made a post bout it..under rough idel..thanx for the help..if i get any progress i will post..

Okay. I finally fixed this problem. My car runs and idles perfect now. This is what I have done in order. My tune up was up, so I was able to drop some money with no problem.

1. Spark plugs
2. Spark plug wire
3. Distributor Rotor & Cap
4. Timing belt
5. Water pump
6. Accessory belts
7. Thermostat
8. Coolant temperature sensor
9. Intake tube(There was a huge crack)
10. PCV Valve
11. Some old vacuum hoses
12. Sea Foamed throttle body, crank case and put some in gas tank
-----------------------------------------

None of the above fixed the problem. We are having over 100 degrees in Texas in these days, and my car died all the time at the stop light especially in the afternoon. I had to turn off the A/C and put in neutral to keep the car running. I didn't want to replace whole distributor unit because it was expensive, but I had no choice. Paid $345 including tax at local dealership. That was with 10% discount. It was rebuild one, so I had to return the core. Anyway, replaced it and guess what? My car runs perfect now. I had knocking noise and it's gone too. Thank god this problem is finally fixed. I guess it'll be good for another 10 years from now on. I hope this helps.

95_mx-3 what part of texas u in.

Limegreen mx-3 wrote:95_mx-3 what part of texas u in.

I'm in Dallas. I bet San Antonio is hotter than here.

BTW, I'd like to say thanks to Tunes67 for great support. I'm really happy to fix my car although I've spent ton of money. I really love this car.

No worries man Thats what is so very cool about this website.. its more than a website.. its a community. And everyone helps when they can. Cheers

Tunes67

95_mx-3 wrote:Okay. I finally fixed this problem. My car runs and idles perfect now. This is what I have done in order. My tune up was up, so I was able to drop some money with no problem.

1. Spark plugs
2. Spark plug wire
3. Distributor Rotor & Cap
4. Timing belt
5. Water pump
6. Accessory belts
7. Thermostat
8. Coolant temperature sensor
9. Intake tube(There was a huge crack)
10. PCV Valve
11. Some old vacuum hoses
12. Sea Foamed throttle body, crank case and put some in gas tank
-----------------------------------------

None of the above fixed the problem. We are having over 100 degrees in Texas in these days, and my car died all the time at the stop light especially in the afternoon. I had to turn off the A/C and put in neutral to keep the car running. I didn't want to replace whole distributor unit because it was expensive, but I had no choice. Paid $345 including tax at local dealership. That was with 10% discount. It was rebuild one, so I had to return the core. Anyway, replaced it and guess what? My car runs perfect now. I had knocking noise and it's gone too. Thank god this problem is finally fixed. I guess it'll be good for another 10 years from now on. I hope this helps.

zamn..i dont have that kind of money..lol..i will do it slowly n see wut happens..

"zamn..i dont have that kind of money..lol..i will do it slowly n see wut happens.."

I hear you, but I haven't spent any money on my MX-3 except regular tune up, oil and filters for a long time. It's been very reliable. I didn't do everything at once. I did small things(plugs, wire, rotor, cap, hoses and intake tube...etc) myself at home first little by little, and then I went from there. If distributor didn't fix it, I was going to move on to O2 sensor, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump & injectors and such. I've been having this problem about an year and recently I wasn't able to drive and felt unsafe. It'll be okay for you guys for a while, but eventually it'll become a big problem. At least that's what happened to me.