89, 245
152,000


The other evening I went to a grocery store about 3 miles away, was in there about an hour, and while driving home suddenly the wagon lost all power for about one-second. It was as if the engine stopped for a moment without stalling. The vehicle was slightly bucking too. Also seemed like delayed shifting. As I almost got home the vehicle suddenly lunged forward as it was moving along the road, but that was the one and only time it did that.

I had just put in a full tank of gas on the way to the store. I had to put 5 gallons in at one pump, and then another five at the next pump [Someone with me owed me 5 gallons of gas]. I wonder if there was water or something in one of the tanks; however, just filling gas on top of gas is something we do everyday, huh, so that probably is a remote possibility.

After sitting a few days, it almost wouldn't turn over, it even stopped for a brief moment as if something was stuck. I do not see any connection with the other drive-ability problem, though, right?

I took it out for a spin a few days after that, close to home, around the block twice, punched the accelerator in 1, 2 and D, but no problem, it is shifting well. No symptoms either. In fact, I cannot seem to reproduce the symptoms by driving around the block. Guess it wants me to drive it somewhere so it can get stuck and force me to tow it.

I initially thought the [Power Stage-Ign Amplifier] was going bad again, but there was no check engine light. I also always get a check engine light and general code for the Fuel Inj Relay, so, it wasn't that part. The engine idled ok when I put it in neutral. Someone told me to check for a low trans fluid level, but the trans fluid level is ok.

Someone else said to check the codes - there are NO CODES. So, I was thinking a few things about this: What failing parts give these symptoms and no code? Fuel Pressure Regulator, Fuel Pump, fuel filter, and the transmission.

Could these symptoms happen if someone put something in my gas tank when I was in the store? ... or could a bad tank of gas cause these symptoms? ...

What about this thing called the intermediate shaft? Do they make a hollow sound as if one is tapping furiously and scratching a plastic box at the same time? There is NEW unusual noise in the engine compartment.

Would a torque converter cause a lunging problem and a noisy engine compartment?

That's about all I can thing of. Everything I looked, and all the basics seemed ok. Connections, fluid levels, etc.

Any logical ideas.

Well, thanks you all again.
diyer999@aol.com

HAd a very similar problem on my old 89 245 at 135K. Turned out to be a failing RPM sensor (engine speed signal). Not to expensive $35 + / -, but a little tight to change. One 10mm bolt that you have to feel for. No code for this problem. Don't run out and get a new one until you chech the other posts for more ideas.

There are no other posts - yours is the only one.

diyer

From your description, my 740 behaved somewhat similarly, it turned out to be the ignition key, it was somewhat loose and the play in it was enough to kill the engine, but only for a split second. I'm not sure if you already checked this one or not, but could be worth it. In regards to the launching, the temporary shutoff could have caused the idle control trying to "save" the engine as the engine got the power back. That is if you were going at slow speed, otherwise you would probably not notice it.