So I have posted this with another problem I had but this is really getting bad. This is what happens.

I take off in first gear coming around a nice bend and give it some gas, shift to 2nd give it the gas and then the car chokes and jerks trying to get up to speed, then the car shuts me out and puts me into limp mode making the check engine light come on. I can turn the car off, turn it back on and it runs fine but the light is still on. After a couple hours of sitting, the check engine light turns off and that's that. But if I repeat the steps about it does it all over again! I have been trying to make it to the autoparts store to have it checked but the light turns off before I can get there! Any advice would be great! I think maybe either spark plugs/distributer cap, fuel pump, I hope not a misfire! But it's really getting bad and annoying. I am running an 03' MCS with 106K, Supersprint exhaust and a 15% pulley reduction. Could it be the air filter, supercharger oil? Like I said, anything at all will help.

 

Hey GL,

First off you dont have a distributor cap, so you can rule that out.

Any other symptoms that manifested before this started happening ?

Any new engine noises not mentioned ?

Check engine light doesn't necessarily mean a code will be retrievable but easy to check anyways. When you have the funds, grab up a Scan Guage II. Not only can you check and clear codes, but it acts as a multifuntion guage providing readings on your coolant and air temps, voltage and other readings while you drive.

Do you have the proper tools to remove the plugs and see what is going on inside there ? Deep socket is needed. What color's are you getting on the electodes. A nice light coffee color is best.

Check your plug wires. At your mileage they are bound to be in need of replacing. As voltage is increased during load, a bad wire or two would make similar symptoms you are experiencing.

This should give you a place to start. Keep us up to speed on your progress with these suggestions.

 

you can also run by a local parts store and get the codes read even if the light is out the system stores them, write them down and let us know what they are. If you are running the OEM plugs/wires it's time to replace and upgrade them. While the air filter may not be the real issue it might still be time to replace or clean it.

 

Well, I checked the plugs about a month ago and just like you said it is a light coffee color, but I bought the car used and don't know when the previous owner might have changed anything. I am probably just going to go ahead and replace the plugs and wires to be safe. Any recommendations? About how much do the Scan Gauge II cost?

Other than that, the engine sounds fine, supercharger whines nicely and it doesn't make any other noises at all. Thanks for all the advice!

 

pm sent

 

Had to codes read, turns out I had a misfire in cylinder 3 so I bought some crapy NGK spark plugs just to see it that was it and it was, going to order some good plugs and wires from AutoXCooper in about a week!

 

Uhh - I've had pretty good luck w/ my NGK's

 

Could be a bad fuel filter. Works well when the demand for fuel is low but acts up when more fuel is needed and the fuel filter is dirty and wont let enough fuel through. Could also be a dirty or clogged injector. Keep us up to date on what the solution is. I love a good mystery.

 

Started happening again today. Great! Was going to order those plugs and wires but now I just bought some 8.5mm high performance wires because I don't have time to wait for shipping. This is my daily driver and it needs to be fixed. Going to try to change the wires tomorrow morning. I will keep you posted. Hopefully this is the problem!

 

Well, changed them today! Running better than ever! No misfire AT all! And when I took off the old wires, they were all pretty much falling apart, and my cylinder 3 wire was completely broken on the inside of it. So that was DEFINITELY the problem! It runs so much smoother now, it's almost unbelievable! Any advice on where to get a coil pack? A good one!

 

Glad to see it fixed. The OEM Mini coilpack is fine as a replacement. If you really want something aftermarket, the MSD coilpack is good too, but to be honest, the OEM one is the part I would get. Lots of MINIs with good HP still on the the OEM coil.

 

I have an MSD...brass contacts.....so they don't corrode like the OEM ones...my #3 coil pin was terrible. I know lots of folks love the ScreminDemon coil....some don't. They are both cheaper and puts out more spark than the OEM. Want red, get the MSD, Black, the Deamon IMO.
I know WayMotorWorks sells coils....an easy swap...one clippy plug and 4 bolts. One tip...to order a coil you need to know the connector on your....flat pins or round....a few pictures are on the websites that sell the coils so you can identify them ans get the right one.

 

Yeah, I definitely want to start dressing up my engine so I am probably going to go with the MSD, and I just changed my plugs and wires so I know I have the round tips. Pretty cheap huh? But now I am having a problem with the power steering. It's off and on and off and on and now sometimes my little flicker while I drive at night. I think it drawing to much power form the battery and cutting in and out or the pump is just about dead! Sucks because they are expensive and it's kind of scary going around a turn with it off and then it cuts back on! Any ideas? I figure it's definitely the battery or the power steering!

 

From what I have been hearing, the ps pump wears, the brushes and the carbon builds up, causing it to cut out....remember when you could buy alternnor repair kits and install new brushes....there is a thread where somebody did exactly that. Most folks are just replacing the pump...useually with a new one... They were modified to be a bit quieter...or some have done ok with rebuilds if $$ is an issues...
I would check the wireing harness by the ps pump...there have been a few reports of it chafing, and of course check the ps fan..it keeps the ps pump cooler, reducing wear and extends it's life. They thend to get filled up with road grit and sieze up. Good luck getting your car strightened out!

 

Well, thanks for all the info! I am going to check the wires first! I know my battery is good but the pump seems to just go on and off when it pleases. But when it's on sometimes it makes the transformer noise like it's turning when it's sitting still. Doesn't make too much sense to me at all. I would like to go at the the cheapest but safest and route. I also want it to last. So if I HAVE to buy a new one I will, found them for about $388 on eBay new so we will see!