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I have a problem with the VT being sluggish :(

Missytheblond

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Hi guys,

New here, happy to be here, read a lot of good things and so on!
Unfortunately I have an issue with my VT wagon.

About two months ago I had new plugs and wires put on.
About a month ago I had a coil fail and had to get a tow.
Replaced coil, car acted fine since. (Replaced all 3 actually... and the board underneath).

Earlier today after a quick rev around this fool doing 40 in a 70 zone, and having to sharply brake due to a crazy dog running across the road, the car lost 80% of power again as if a coil died once more. Struggled to get up the hill any faster than 20km/h.
Check engine light came on.

Drove around the block to park with no power (felt like 3cylinders) and stopped the car.
***Started car again and everything was back to normal - full power.***
Have driven 100km since, and no issue.
Check engine light is off.

Does anyone have any clue what happened?
Is the ECU on the way out or is it coil related again most likely?
Reiterating, it happened right after i floored it and had to brake abruptly.

When I went to take off again, there was no power as if the coil was dead.

After owning a few Japanese imports from the early 90s that generally all have ECU issues at this stage, it is fairly common for the ECU to cause misfiring or to shut down cylinders or so on.
Just a thought.

Also, cannot read codes or get to a mechanic for a few days to a week.

Thanks a lot for any help :)
 

Missytheblond

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Another problem I have is that my temp gauge never sits in the middle. It is always about 1cm below the middle, as if it is running colder than it should be.
Unsure if related.

Adding to this, when I use the fan to blow cool air from the outside, it comes in warm. Not talking about air con, talking about the fan blowing air only.

I have no idea what is going on - every other car blows outside ambient air.

Thanks again :)
 

commodore665

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Hi , and welcome , if it was a coil , it would sound and perform as though it has a misfire , have you cleaned the MAF sensor and the throttle body ? , the throttle may be dirty , or it might be a fuel issue with the pump and or filter .
 

Missytheblond

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Hi, thanks for the reply :)

It felt and sounded like a coil problem today but after turning the car back on, all problems went away.

Have not cleaned TB or MAF, but car was running fine til today til it bogged down as described above. I could only go about 40kmh after 10 seconds.

So, after I lost all power just like as if a coil died again, i turned the car off, then back on, and the engine light went away and I was back at full power.
No problem since.
 

Immortality

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Welcome to the forum.

As above, check the error codes.
 

Missytheblond

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Very handy to find out how to check errors. Will go down to the local wire shop and pick some wire up tomorrow morning :)

Will report back with what is found at some stage.

Thanks guys!
 

Immortality

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Paper clips work well.
 

Missytheblond

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Hello again, sorry for no reply :(

I've been a bit busy. Will be checking the codes by the weekend!

Car acting fine since posting.
Got to daughters school just now, turned car off, and when we went to take off again the car had no power as if coils died again.
Turned car off, turned it back on, and there was no problem once again.
Am now driving home.
 
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