RPM Problems

[sintex420]

I am having a probelm with my VX and I am not sure what it is. When I go to start the car sometimes it will just go back to 0 rpm's and die. And even when I do start the car it is idoling at only about 600 rpm. It is idoling so low that the A/C won't blow cold air when the car is just sitting. I have 65k miles on the VX and it sat for 2 weeks not getting moved when I was out of town. I was woundering if anyone had any ideas. I didn't know if it would be the fuel filter or what.

[MrCrowley]

Is it just at idle, or can you accelerate and drive it? A suspect couple of things- Go fill up with high octane gas, then buy a fuel filter if yours hasnt been changed (might as well), see how it runs between both. Unless you have a mechanical problem Im sure its either of these. Other people here may have more ideas. Good luck

[Tone]

Check the MAS to see that it is plugged in completely and the clamps are tight. I had mine come out of the pipe last year in Moab and it had the same symptoms. Fuel filter is a more probable culprit.

[Triathlete]

Mine does this when it is hot outside. It seems to get vapor lock of some sort. It is usually fixed if I open the gas cap and then put it back on.

[sintex420]

I have tried two tanks of high octane gas both from different gas stations and chains so that I could rule out bad fuel. I will try the fual filter first to see. What is the MAS that was mentioned? I am not familiar with this.

[AREA 51]

Mass airflow sensor, comes off the air cleaner.

[driver3]

My air seemed to be running low too when I was sitting, but that's the compressor right? I have to be driving to run it well, anyway, where is the fuel filter, I have almost 55k, and I've never checked it, unless the dealer did it at 15k.. where is it so I can check it? and how often do you guys check yours?

[AnalogVX]

MAS is that square screen looking thing in the air intake with a plug on it. You can tell right away ii it is coming off. I would change the fuel filter too. Any check engine lights? You could have Auto Zone in Elgin check the for codes. It may also be a throttle position sensor. But that wouldn't throw a code however, that would have to be checked out manually.

PS nice to hear from you again!

[sintex420]

I will look at the MAS first then. Now that you mention what it is i have a feeling that that is it. I didn't have the problem until sat. after I changed my headlight bulbs. I always disconect that for access and maybe I didn't reconnect it all the way. Thanks for the help all.

[Tone]

That would have been an important thing to MENTION when you made the first post sintex.....

[sintex420]

In my mind I wasn't relating the issue to when I changed the headlight bulbs. I was thinking that the VX wasn't happy that it sat still for two weeks while I was traveling. All is better now though. She is running happily again. Thanks to all.

[driver3]

Can anyone answer my question?

[Dallas4u]

Fuel filter is under the VX, on the left hand rear, in front of the rear wheel well. It looks like a cylindrical tube, pinched to smaller tubes on the ends... probably 3-4 inches long (I guess).

[driver3]

Thanks... do you know if this is a "replace it when it's clogged, or a regular maintinence thing?

[Triathlete]

Definately replace regularly! They are under $10 at auto parts stores. The removal/relacement takes about 20 minutes (and I'm not very mechanical). Be sure to use something to pinch off the lines for a less messy experience...found this out the hard way!
;Dr;