HELP! 240 runnin rough

[AshNazg]

My '93 240sx is running AWFUL. Here's what happened:

I was driving on the freeway the other night and everything was fine when all the sudden a vibration started and low rumble was heard. It wasn't gradual but started suddenly. When the torque converter (yes, it's an auto) locked on the vibration and noise got even worse. After I pulled off the highway and slowed down the vibration got worse yet and the engine was running extremely rough causing the whole car to shake. My lights in my dash were even "browning out" since it was idling so low and rough. It was like the car was struggling not to die. I took it to a transmission shop just to make sure, but they said it wasn't a problem with the transmission. I tested the compression on all four cylindars and it was at 180 on number 1, and 150-160 on the other three. The spark plugs are brand new and I just recently had a minor tune-up (no valve adjustment or anything like that). The plugs were extremely loose however, and after tightening them, the car ran fine for awhile but then started running rough all the sudden again later that day (I don't know if tightening the spark plugs helped it, or if it was just coincidence). I'm going to check to see if the plugs are loose again or not shortly, but in the mean time...

Has anyone had a similar problem with their s13? Does anyone know what is happening or what I need to fix? Please help!

[[s3]]

You might want to check your alternator.

[NISTECH]

I am with [s3] on this one

[AshNazg]

Could the alternator cause the car to run that rough though? If so, how?

I was thinking I might have a bad plug too so I was thinking about replacing the plugs...

[[s3]]

When your alternator starts to die, so does everything else "electrical" in your car including but not limited to your, distributor, plugs, radio, anything thats got a wire going to it.

bad/dying alternator = no spark = runs rough = dying car got it?

Your plugs are probably fine btw.

[AzurE]

you can take the alternator out and throw it away and drive for an hour if the battery is charged (30 mins at night) . loose plugs are a scary thought:(

[allthrottlenobottle]

i agree on the alt. theory. Have you done a voltage test to see how the charge rate is?

[[s3]]

you can take the alternator out and throw it away and drive for an hour if the battery is charged (30 mins at night) . loose plugs are a scary thought:(

You're kidding right?

30 mins?? I couldnt get 10 out of my fresh Die Hard when the alternator on my old maxima crapped out. Theres a lot of draw on the battery man, just imagine fuel pump, distribution, ignition system, and the ENTIRE electrical system on 1 battery, and you said at NIGHT too..my god...drive with no lights on?

Some of you guys just crack me up..

[AzurE]

my wifes 92 died in dallas..i went over there and pulled the alternator and battery, went to autozone. they charged the battery and tested it, it was good, tested the alternator..it was bad. they didnt have alternator in stock, i put the battery in it, push started it and followed her home to fort worth, (northwest highway to 635 to 121 to loop 820 to 377) in saturday night traffic. about 45 mins:pface