986 S problem at idle, engine won't rev and shakes, battery disconnected

[txd0mask]

Hey,

I had a similiar problem - came back from vacation, car battery died. Did a jump start - after car would randomly shake while revs would go up and down and suddenly it would die. Went on for a couple of weeks - i tried everything, disconnecting the battery etc... this is what I did.

1. Changed Battery (Battery was low and after change, car still sputtered and died)
2. Fuel Pump (Fuel pump was running lean --> after car still sputtered and died)
3. Changed Mass Air Flow Sensor - now car drives like a dream.

It probably is the mass air flow sensor. Buy a bosch one or buy a cheap on ebay - whatever, it's probably the problem.

Had a similiar problem with another car years ago --> MAF's are evil.

[Gorthaur]

Hi guys.

Two hours ago I went to pick the car up in order to put some juice in the tank.

I started it and the problem was still there. I managed to drive it to the petrol station but on my way I decided to go through some gears and found that in first gear I could do 20 kph, 30 in second, 40 in third and so on. So I decided to upshift and downshift a few times and something better seemed to happen but then... I reached the station.

I put 20 liters in the tank, then did the 1-minute procedure with the key, started the car and...

...BANG! White smoke and oil all over the place!!!

Just kidding!!! I started it and she was perfectly fine! I drove it for half an hour, then came back home. Turned it off, waited for a few minutes and then started it again. Everything ok.

Tomorrow I'm going to check her again but for the moment I'm very, very pleased!

What do you reckon? Fuel level too low? Bad fuel? Who knows... But, as far as the problem doesn't appear again... who cares!!!

I'll keep you updated, thanks again for your help!