I've got a '90 TA with the 305 TPI and 130k on the odometer. Couple days ago I was driving and noticed a lack of power that was especially bad above 3k rpm and the check engine light started coming on. Checked the code and got code 44 lean exhaust. Checked the o2 sensor and it was broken so I put a new one in and also checked all of the injectors and they all read between 16 and 17 ohm. Now the check engine light no longer comes on but it's still really low on power. I put a fuel pressure gauge on it and am getting 32psi at idle, 35psi under normal driving and 40psi under w.o.t. Not sure what to check next. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

possible your computer went into "limp home" setting. just a guess on my part. try unhooking the battery and leave it off for a minute or two and then put it back on. might reset it. you can also pull the fuse but that requires getting on the drivers floor.
the batter will only take a few seconds. i will check and get back if i find anything more.
good luck.

no i checked and that is the way to reset the ecm. anyway it cant hurt - and will not cost anything or take a lot of time.

not that it matters - since the battery will reset it, but did you notice if it advanced and retarded timing when you ran it through to wot? that is also a clear sign you are in limp home mode.

be sure to post the solution when you find it.

 

Disconnected the battery for a few minutes and hooked it back up. Still doing the same thing. Hadn't noticed any changes in the timing.

 

Have you checked your plugs? They could be fouled from the "lean code" and the computer dumped in so much fuel to try and fix the problem but it instead fouled the plugs. That has happened a few times to me with that code.

 

Pulled the #1 plug and it looked pretty good. Haven't pulled the rest yet. Going to replace them while they're out since some of them are kind of hard to get to but just haven't made it to the auto parts store yet.

 

Finally got around to pulling all the plugs and they all looked good. Replaced them anyways along with the distributor cap and rotor. It's still doing the same thing. Also it's been stalling at stop lights lately too. It'll be idling fine and all of a sudden the rpm will drop for a second and sometimes it'll go right back up and sometimes it'll cause it to stall.

 

ca90ss, did you ever figure out what the problem was? My car is doing the same thing.

So far, I've tried cleaning and adjusting the IAC and idle speed, replacing the CTS, replacing the 02, and cleaning the MAF. The situation did improve "alot" but it still didn't cure the problem.

 

Still haven't figured it out yet. Been really busy and haven't had much time to work on it. Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend or next.

 

Your pressure seems low, with the regulator vacuum unplugged you should be around 43 psi and with it hooked up around 38psi is what I have seen.
Did it maintain the 40 psi the whole time while at WOT? Check your timing and make sure your distributor connections are ok as well as sprark controll. Bad gas can do this too.

 

Possibly Plugged cat converter?? Just a guess.

 

The stalling at the stop light be a vacuum leak. I was having the same problem with the stalling. Come to find out it was a vac leak.

 

Picked up a new fuel filter today. I'll retest the pressure after I replace it. Pressure held steady at 40psi under WOT last time I checked it. I'll also throw the vacuum gauge on it and check the timing too while I'm at it. Pretty sure it's not bad gas since it's been doing this for the last few tanks of gas from different gas stations.

Hoping it's not a plugged cat but if all else fails I'll drop the exhaust and take it for a spin around the block.

 

A high flow cat might help. Let me know if it is a vac leak.

 

Looks like that was the problem causing the lack of power, I finally had some free time this weekend and pulled the car out of storage and cut the exhaust off and took it for a ride around the block and I must say, I'm quite surprised by the little 305. It's still stalling at stop lights and doesn't want to upshift at w.o.t. but at least once I get the new cat put on I'll be able to drive it a little bit.