Do you have a haynes manual? It should have step by steps to test the coil pack and ignition power transistor.

 

i have a chiltons manual, but the procedure for testing the primary doesnt include images, and im not sure what they want me to do. they have the image for how to check the secondary (inside where the plug wires go), but i dont understand what they want me to check for primary.

 

Here's some more ideas, Pat. Check your front O2 sensor, TPS, EGR valve, vacuum leaks...do a boost leak check too (I know I already mentioned that one, but that's a big one), transistor pack, ISC, and that's all I can think of at the moment...along with the other things I mentioned in my email.

 

I just wanted to check in to see if you've had a chance to troubleshoot, Pat.

 

well, i put the coil and ECU back in, then regapped the plugs and put the old wires back in, and checked all of the visible harnesses to check that they were in good shape, and tight. nothing seemed out of place. then i drove it around for about an hour, and it didnt give me any troubles. i start it every day even if i dont take it out, and it hasnt been missing for the past few days...

 

Lol, gotta love DSMs to put up with the inconsistencies.

 

its unreal. before i had one, i always saw the performance potential, and id driven a few that were as stock as mine, and i thought "theyre fun..i wonder why most people dont hang onto them"..now i understand.

 

Take it easy, its a 19 year old car what do you expect lol.

 

i know..i keep that in mind. what gets me, is even when its missing...it still doesnt seem to run poorly, and when its not missing lately, it feels great. i drove it for several days in all sorts of conditions with no problems. my wife drove it on sunday, and when we left, it missed for about the first 30 seconds it was running, then went away...i drove it yesterday and it was fine...