Car Problem Question

Nesbit · 07-31-06, 08:11 AM

My 94 Grand AM is having some problems and I would like to have some idea of what the issue is before taking it to a mechanic. About half the time I drive the 'Check Engine Light' comes on and the car slightly jerks back every time I take my foot off the gas. The jerk back is rougher the faster I am going. What could this be?

4KRG · 07-31-06, 08:24 AM

Take it to an Autozone and have them read the codes
put the codes into google.com and see what you come up with

BustaCones · 07-31-06, 08:31 AM

My car was doing something similar, turns out a cylinder was misfiring. Apparently its a relativelt cheap fix, or at least in my case it was, just needed some new ignition wires (i think).

Nesbit · 07-31-06, 08:33 AM

How much did it cost you and if that is the problem I'm having is it an immediate fix? Saving up for a move at the end of the month.

jonw9 · 07-31-06, 08:48 AM

You should have a man go with you when you go to the mechanic. There are plenty of stories about shady automotive shops taking advantage of women that walk in.

As for the online diagnostics, could be a fuel filter, cheap fix, kinda messy. Could be plugs and wires. How many miles on the vehicle, and how long since last tune-up?

cpgator · 07-31-06, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon-w9

You should have a man go with you

D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB) · 07-31-06, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4KRG

Take it to an Autozone and have them read the codes
put the codes into google.com and see what you come up with

i think autozone's free scanner is obd2. i think most pre-96 models don't have obd2.

crankyman · 07-31-06, 09:30 PM

i'd suggest you have a vacuum leak with those symptoms.

also, pick up a repair manual and see if your model year has a throttle bypass valve. could be that as well. easy to replace.

Oraphus · 08-01-06, 01:30 PM

it could be a 100 diff things
loose spark plug wire
bad spark plug
loss of compression in 1+ cylinder
low on oil

are your rpms higher then normal at highway speeds?
does your car shift in to OD gear at highway speads?

Nesbit · 08-01-06, 01:46 PM

It sounds like most of these problems would be solved by getting a tune up. Looks like that's what I will do. Sorry Oraphus no answers to your questions but I will keep an eye on it.

Vibiana · 08-01-06, 02:03 PM

My car before the current one was a 2000 Chevy Prizm LSI. The Check Engine light kept coming on and wouldn't go off. I ended up spending about $1200 on the damn thing, all to no avail. Finally I traded it. I have heard that the light coming on is fairly common in some makes and models.

07-31-06, 08:11 AM	#1
Nesbit DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bremerton WA Posts: 4,806	Car Problem Question My 94 Grand AM is having some problems and I would like to have some idea of what the issue is before taking it to a mechanic. About half the time I drive the 'Check Engine Light' comes on and the car slightly jerks back every time I take my foot off the gas. The jerk back is rougher the faster I am going. What could this be?

07-31-06, 08:48 AM	#5
jonw9 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: On the banks of the Red Cedar Posts: 9,863	You should have a man go with you when you go to the mechanic. There are plenty of stories about shady automotive shops taking advantage of women that walk in. As for the online diagnostics, could be a fuel filter, cheap fix, kinda messy. Could be plugs and wires. How many miles on the vehicle, and how long since last tune-up? __________________ "Damn straight! Today the mad scientist can't get a doomsday device, tomorrow it's the mad grad student! Where will it end?!" - Professor Hubert Farnsworth

07-31-06, 09:30 PM	#8
crankyman DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: chokin' you out in less than 30 seconds Posts: 10,633	i'd suggest you have a vacuum leak with those symptoms. also, pick up a repair manual and see if your model year has a throttle bypass valve. could be that as well. easy to replace. __________________ always check my sig for evidence of how bad ass i am.

08-01-06, 01:30 PM	#9
Oraphus DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Hell - see you when you get here. Posts: 1,579	it could be a 100 diff things loose spark plug wire bad spark plug loss of compression in 1+ cylinder low on oil are your rpms higher then normal at highway speeds? does your car shift in to OD gear at highway speads? __________________ -It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

08-01-06, 02:03 PM	#11
Vibiana DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Living in a van down by the river Posts: 11,083	My car before the current one was a 2000 Chevy Prizm LSI. The Check Engine light kept coming on and wouldn't go off. I ended up spending about $1200 on the damn thing, all to no avail. Finally I traded it. I have heard that the light coming on is fairly common in some makes and models. __________________ Vibiana hooks up with chicks, she's more of a winner than most of the internet. -- mndtrp "If everyone you know is doing it, the only thing to do is rush into a marriage. It'll turn out great so don't worry about it." -- Jules Winfield

07-31-06, 08:24 AM	#2
4KRG DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 15,444	Take it to an Autozone and have them read the codes put the codes into google.com and see what you come up with

07-31-06, 08:31 AM	#3
BustaCones Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 83	My car was doing something similar, turns out a cylinder was misfiring. Apparently its a relativelt cheap fix, or at least in my case it was, just needed some new ignition wires (i think).

07-31-06, 08:33 AM	#4
Nesbit DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bremerton WA Posts: 4,806	How much did it cost you and if that is the problem I'm having is it an immediate fix? Saving up for a move at the end of the month.

08-01-06, 01:46 PM	#10
Nesbit DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bremerton WA Posts: 4,806	It sounds like most of these problems would be solved by getting a tune up. Looks like that's what I will do. Sorry Oraphus no answers to your questions but I will keep an eye on it.