tricky little gremlin... in need of assistance

[vivathedon]

alright guys, i've got a good one for y'all. i've got a 93 2wd 3.0 with a 5 speed. bought it a few months back from a woman who said it has "a miss", so i knew it needed work going into the deal. replaced all the basic ignition stuff, and even fixed the 02 sensor wires on the passenger side that were melted together at the plug from touching the exhaust manifold. that fixed the miss it had. the underlying problem is the utter lack of power this truck has. when you step on the gas it feels like someone is stepping on the brakes at the same time. there's just nothing there. even at higher rpms(i have no tach) the engine just doesn't put out and you really have to get on it to go anywhere. at partial throttle the hesitation almost feels like it has a rhythm to it which i find bizarre(kind of chugs, and takes off, chugs and takes off). i was going to check the egr valve and then look into the exhaust and see if the cats are gummed up next. i'm coming to my wit's end at this point. i love this little truck, but i'm tired of throwing parts at it. any ideas..? thanks in advance for any tips

 

[Rearanger]

Start with the basics. Do a hot compression test and a vacuum test.

 

[vivathedon]

thanks man. i'll have to check it this weekend (final project for this semester are kicking my butt).

i suppose it's worth mentioning that i drive this thing back and forth to school about 60 miles round trip daily. after being on the throttle for a while on the highway it throws a code and the check engine light comes on, and shuts off eventually once i'm crusing through town and off the gas a bit. that and the battery light comes on about that time. stil holding charge, 12v across the terminals, works like it should. the check engine light i'm sure is related to me not having power, but i doubt the battery thing is related...

 

[Rearanger]

the check engine light i'm sure is related to me not having power, but i doubt the battery thing is related...

You'll need to get the PCM scanned for codes, and yes low voltage can affect PCM signals.