Hi All, Hope somebody can offer some advice.

My 1989 240 Wagon started acting up on me a few weeks ago. I had been having hot start issues where I had to give it gas to keep it from stalling for 10-15 seconds. Very recently I would notice a slight occasional fumble from the engine when idling. Other than that, she ran like a top.

I changed the plugs, wires, cap and rotor, took her for a test drive. She ran fine at first, but she died at a stop sign a few blocks away. I couldn't start her up again for more than a few seconds, even with starting fluid. She was even backfiring.

I figured I must have made a dumb mistake during my tune-up, so I put the old rotor back in. She started right up and I drove around for a while with no issues. Parked in the auto parts lot, I started her up and she wanted to die at idle. I had to keep my foot on the gas to keep the engine going to get home. Later that day, she started running horribly. There was bucking and chugging and she kept dying at idle. Eventually, the car wouldn't even start. It cranks like there's no tomorrow. I've been on it for weeks now with no luck.

I got some trouble codes from the little black box. One was 2-1-4 from the #6 terminal, so I put in a new crank position sensor/speed sensor/RPM sensor. No difference. I also got a 2-3-4 code indicating throttle position sensor (but that code hasn't come back after I cleared the codes) and I keep intermittently getting the 1-2-1 code for the MAF sensor. Numerous times, I unplugged the MAF sensor, but it made no difference. The car still starts and runs like absolute crap, which I guess means the MAF isn't the problem.

I noticed I coudn't hear the fuel pumps buzzing when I turned the key, but I was able to get them to buzz when I jumpered the #4 and #6 fuses and when I jumpered the fuel pump relay connector between the two appropriate points. This seemed to indicate the the relay was OK, but the ECU was bad. Put in a new (used) ECU and buzz! The pumps buzz like they're supposed to! Success, right? No! The car starts up with much difficulty, idles really roughly, and when I drive it, it bucks and chugs and stumbles and stalls and has no power. Just like before the new ECU. The only difference is now I hear the pumps buzz when I turn the key and I know I'm getting fuel because I can (sort of) drive the car.

Other stuff I did while waiting for parts in the mail:

-Removed and cleaned the throttle body
-Cleaned and replaced the flame trap kit
-The flame trap filter was actually missing, so I removed and cleaned the oil trap and all hoses.
-Replaced a broken hose that runs from the rollover valve (near the fuel tank) to the charcoal canister.
-Opened the air filter box and modded it so that the cool air is always routed in.

Made sure the plug wires were hooked up correctly to the cap (clockwise 1, 4, 3, 2). I also took out the new crankshaft position sensor to make sure I didn't screw that up somehow.

After the disappointing post-new/used-ECU test drive, I got some new codes from the black box: Port 2 gave me 1-1-3, which I think refers to the o2 sensor, 1-2-1 which means the Mass Airflow Meter, but like I said, I unplugged it and plugged it back in and the car ran just as badly with it as it did without it. Port 6 gave me 2-1-4 which means crankshaft position sensor, but I just replaced it!

It seems like I should just bite the bullet and get a new oxygen sensor because of the code, but does that even seem like it makes sense? Based on my understanding, a bad oxygen sensor might make the car run badly, but it doesn't seem like it would cause the horrible starting issues. If I just want to start throwing replacement parts at the car and hoping something eventually helps, I'll get another MAF meter too, even though I believe I already eliminated that as a suspect (by unplugging it).

I'm hoping somebody sees something that I'm overlooking. Remember, this all started when I did a tune-up, so I'm not ruling out the possibility that I buggered something up.

Another possible clue: when I'm cranking it and failing to start it, I hear a belt or belts squealing rather shrilly. Like, crank, crank, "oh, it's trying to start," SQUEAL, die.

Thanks for reading. I don't have much money, and I'm already over budget!
--
Wine Red 1989 240 Wagon