I'm lost

[flouese]

I've replaced my plugs, coils, MAF, Idle Air control valve and my car will still not run.
It starts right up, idles for a few seconds, then dies a slow death. If I step on the accelerator in an attempt to keep it alive, there is no change. Again, slow death. No CEL codes. The dealer said the AOS needed to be replaced, however, there is no smoke. Would the AOS have anything to do with this issue. Please see "OUCH" thread from last month to see all the issues the dealer said it has. I am lost as what to do next. I want to work on this myself, but I am getting close to where it needs professional help.

[Luv2Box]

This is a real shot in the dark but has the throttle cable come off the tensioner? I had a similar event happen to my '99 when the mechanic didn't put the throttle cable on the tensioner. I recall that the tensioner is under the intake manifold and can be reached from the top of the motor without removing anything.

[flouese]

Luv2box,
I had my daughter check to see if the cable was moving and it was. I could hear the pitch of the engine change when I depressed the accelerator, but again, slow death.

[jdraupp]

You sure you don't have a massive vacuum leak somewhere?

[flouese]

Probably do, just can't seem to locate it, or better stated, don't know how to find it.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by flouese

Probably do, just can't seem to locate it, or better stated, don't know how to find it.

Smoke test is the best way to find vacuum leaks but you need someone who knows how to do it right and knows what to look for.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by flouese

Luv2box,
I had my daughter check to see if the cable was moving and it was. I could hear the pitch of the engine change when I depressed the accelerator, but again, slow death.

The cable will still move and the throttle respond if it is off the tensioner but there will be no power and the motor will eventually die. You need to look directly at the tensioner to see if the cable is on it.

[The Radium King]

fuel - plugged filter. ?

[flouese]

Didn't think of that. Will check.

[Luv2Box]

I should also add that if you have a vacuum leak it should have thrown a code and if you don't have any it most likely isn't one.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by Luv2Box

I should also add that if you have a vacuum leak it should have thrown a code and if you don't have any it most likely isn't one.

Maybe. Maybe not. The fact that it fires and dies can be a large enough vacuum leak that the motor cannot function. I had this happen when I replaced my starter. I didn't get the intake t back on correctly and created a massive vacuum leak. The result was that the car would fire and immediately die.

[landrovered]

Fuel pump and fuel pressure related issues will not throw codes.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

fuel - plugged filter. ?

^^ 2nd this idea + fuel pressure.

[Franco]

Could be a problem with the system ground.
Also swap the fuel pump relay if the problem happens again.

[epapp]

The fuel pump or filter being the problem should eventually indirectly throw codes for maximum enrichment limit. I would verify the fuel pump is operating.

[Luv2Box]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Maybe. Maybe not. The fact that it fires and dies can be a large enough vacuum leak that the motor cannot function. I had this happen when I replaced my starter. I didn't get the intake t back on correctly and created a massive vacuum leak. The result was that the car would fire and immediately die.

Yes that is true as each system has to go through a series of run cycles to throw a code so if it isn't running it probably won't.

[landrovered]

When the fuel pump is in the process of failing it can cause some strange symptoms and I have seen exactly one car throw a code during that period, a 2014 VW, out of dozens of makes and models.