tornado_735 Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 I just bought a 1994 Grand Prix for $550. It was one hell of a steal. Other than the usual w-body (front doors won't open from the outside, finicky turn signals), and general 'old car' problems (sunroof weatherstripping, bad paint, ABS light), the car runs great. The girl I bought it off goes to Ohio State, and was going to ride her bike all winter. If last winter was any indication of how this next winter is going to shape up, she's in for a nasty surprise. In the city, no problems. But when I get on the freeway, or do any sort of hard acceleration, it just sort of stutters. It gains speed ok, and cruises just fine, but you go to accelerate, and it gets to stuttering. It doesn't feel like a miss, because the stuttering is random. It's not a rythm, like da-da-da-da-da-da...it's more like da-----da-da-----da--da---da-------da---da-da-dada. I know that's a really stupid way to describe it, but that's the best way to. The girl said it needed new plugs and wires, but I'm not so sure, judging how it feels just stop and go in the city. Any ideas? ~Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacmaniac94 Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 I just bought a 1994 Grand Prix for $550. It was one hell of a steal. Other than the usual w-body (front doors won't open from the outside, finicky turn signals), and general 'old car' problems (sunroof weatherstripping, bad paint, ABS light), the car runs great. The girl I bought it off goes to Ohio State, and was going to ride her bike all winter. If last winter was any indication of how this next winter is going to shape up, she's in for a nasty surprise. In the city, no problems. But when I get on the freeway, or do any sort of hard acceleration, it just sort of stutters. It gains speed ok, and cruises just fine, but you go to accelerate, and it gets to stuttering. It doesn't feel like a miss, because the stuttering is random. It's not a rythm, like da-da-da-da-da-da...it's more like da-----da-da-----da--da---da-------da---da-da-dada. I know that's a really stupid way to describe it, but that's the best way to. The girl said it needed new plugs and wires, but I'm not so sure, judging how it feels just stop and go in the city. Any ideas? EGR Valve. does it only do it when the motor is hot? very common on that body style. believe me, i hae done it before. or it could be the cat is clogged. that would cause it to not accelerate either. scan tool, that will help, and check the cat, see if it clogged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbfarm Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 EGR, clogged catalyst, weak fuel pump, a poor charge on a battery and a weak generator can limit the spark. EGR first. But first check your dashboard for the CHECK ENGINE light on. If so, go get a code reader -- OBD-II for 1996 forward (forgot your year) or OBD-I and manufacturer-specific 1995 and before. I got an OBD-II one for $40, and I've seen them from $30 to $50 or more since. Solve any trouble codes first, unless you have a weak battery. Charge that first, then trouble codes, then EGR and so on. Most EGR problems put up a trouble code, same for catalyst, fuel pump, even generator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 EGR, clogged catalyst, weak fuel pump, a poor charge on a battery and a weak generator can limit the spark. EGR first. But first check your dashboard for the CHECK ENGINE light on. If so, go get a code reader -- OBD-II for 1996 forward (forgot your year) or OBD-I and manufacturer-specific 1995 and before. I got an OBD-II one for $40, and I've seen them from $30 to $50 or more since. Solve any trouble codes first, unless you have a weak battery. Charge that first, then trouble codes, then EGR and so on. Most EGR problems put up a trouble code, same for catalyst, fuel pump, even generator. The year is a 94, it says it in the title... which means his car is still OBD-I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tornado_735 Posted October 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 Went to the parts store, and asked a few questions...the guy behind the counter suggested a clogged fuel filter. I bought regular ac delco plugs (per every post I've seen on this forum about spark plugs), a Fram Tough Guard air filter, and a fuel filter. Went to my friends house, got the air filter changed, and drilled a few extra holes in the airbox for the hell of it. Changed the front three plugs, couldn't get to the rear plugs (it was getting late, and I was getting lazy), and could not get the fuel filter off. Apparently, there is no such thing as a 20mm wrench, and of all the tools my buddies dad has, a 13/16's wrench wasn't one of them. Got disgusted, so we decided to hold off changing it until later this week. With the three plugs changed (I know, I know, I got lazy) and the air filter changed, it definitely feels a lot better. It still stutters, but it picks up speed a lot quicker. Sounds pretty good too, considering all I did was drill a few quarter sized holes in the airbox. Oh, with regards to the other tips, the battery is new, and the only warning light in my dash that is on is the ABS and Brake light. Brakes feel fine though, and the fluid is fine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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