Talking with landlord and tenant moments ago outside. Tenant has a 90's Buick V-6 w/ coil packs and individual port injection. He said his car has started to die, going around corners only.

I told him it sounds fuel related, like how the old cars coud die that way if the carburetor float level was not right.

He then said he took it to a garage and they found that the code said it was the MAP sensor was the cause. Then we all discussed/mildly argued how a MAP sensor would cause it to idle just fine, yet know something different about the car going around a corner?

I suggested maybe something wrong in the fuel pickup of the gas tank.

Your thoughts and explanations welcome so I can go across the street and tell the guy what your opnions are. He said the MAP sensor would cost him like $200 installed, so he has not done it yet.

 

Hmmm, I would be more inclined to think maybe a loose connection or wire that has rubbed the insulation off and is grounding in the turns.

 

A MAP works on the load/no load requirements of an engine and takes its cues from the intake manifold pressure = vacuum. It would have to signal the transition from high vacuum (no throttle) to low vacuum (partial to full throttle).

Cornering would be the sudden release of the throttle. If the MAP was hanging on delivering the signal you would have an overly rich condition = stalling.

This is more speculation on how it could happen. I can't say that would be the first place I would look for something like that.

I think I would ask if the car has the same problem when applying throttle and suddenly releasing it on a straight line. $200.00 sounds little much, though.

 

Look caefully at the vacuum hose to the map sensor....

"Flexing' the body of the car, can open up a broken vac hose and kill the engine.

 

I'll have him look.

Anyway, it sounds like from marbobj's explanation that the map sensor may ineed be it -at least related with it - and the mechanic maybe was right. I'll let everyone know when he gets it fixed, or, if by chance it was something simpler/cheaper like the hose(unc) or wire(tow).