I have a 1988 Cadillac 4.5 engine it starts i can get to the end of my driveway then it quits i have already changed the ignition module but that doesnt seem to help what could this problem be. ANYONE!

 

To run, an engine needs Air and Fuel. Is the engine getting these two things? Check your air filter and fuel filter for two easy places to start.

 

Hey Snapmech: These electrical gremlins are the hardest to find and the most frustrating. Some things to check: Go over all of your ground connections and clean/tighten. Check for a loose fuse in the fuse panel, you may even have an under the hood fuse and relay panel so try to find that as well. Ocassionally the relay will be the culprit.Check the connection on your starter as well, particularly the small ignition wire. When I bought my '81 i replaced my ECM and got rid of a lot of issues. Cost was $160.00 for a recon. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks i replaced both filters the ecm and ignitin module what do you think?
Dave

 

Throttle body - clean it, Mass Air Flow Sensor, does this engine have it. The MAF can get clogged up with carbon and make the carrunbad, stumble and shift hard. Carb cleaner works but you have to take it offf the car and spray the screen. You will se if it is clogged. Just some more ideas.

 

We have done all that what else could it be would a cam sensor or crank sensor would that cause the problem. if 4.5 engine has one.

 

Check coil connections, how about restricted exhaust system, hows the Catalytic converter? Is there sufficient fuel delivery?

 

its gets too much fuel the plugs are wet ?

 

wet or black with soot means rich fuel mixture,
you may also exerience smoke upon start up and very rought idle.

not sure this applies anywhere here but i had my 4x4 with a simialr problem
and after months of testing i found a bad sensor -- of all things, the coolant
sensor was dead and the ECM interpreted that as the engine being cold and
enriched the mixture. $20 later with new sensor all back as it should.

 

would u have the firing order for this car