calys968 Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Hi. I have an '89 Cutlass Supreme. In the last 6 months I've had to change the transmission twice and the computer twice. On Sunday I drove to Phoenix and back(about a 3 hour trip each way). It was fine on the way there but on the way back it started acting up. First I noticed a loud exhaust leak and very rough idle when I stopped to eat. Got back on the road and realized that whenever it decelerates at a certain point it starts wobbling really bad like I'm going over a very bumpy road. If you press back on the gas or continue to let it decelarate it goes away. Yesterday(Monday) morning I was driving to work and noticed that it was accelerating much slower than usual..it felt like it had a lot less power than it usually does. On my way home from work it started to jerk when it changed gears for a few minutes, then started taking forever to change into the next gear. It still sounds like it has an exhuast leak and is still idling rough. I'm a 19 year old girl and know next to nothing about cars. Any help would be very much appreciated! I just got it out of the shop about a week ago and can't really afford to put it back in there but if this is sounds like it could be a serious problem I will take it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 i would talk to freinds and family to see if any of them are or know a good mechanic that can look at the car for you and ride with you to help diagnose what is wrong with it or you can call the shop you had it at and pay the 35-50 bucks to have them test drive it pay attention to the speed and describe to them what it does at thet speed it will help alot with the diagnosis of the problem then if they say well we have to keep it refuse and take it somewhere else tell them you had it worked on at a shop and this had started most shops might diagnose it for free just to get you busniess after that take it to another shop get a 3rd diagnosis much better than one shop doing it and basicly doing work that isn't needed good luck p.s. let us know what you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calys968 Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Thank you both for your responses. I've had the car for about 8 months. It was given to me by my mother bsecause it wouldn't pass smog(there are no smog laws where I live). It sat for 2 years before she gave it to me. I really love my Cutlass but common sense tells me that I should break down and get a new car. I have people in my family who are good with cars but I live in a different state than all of my family. My uncle said to see if the catalytic converter was clogged by checking if there was any exhaust coming out of the tailpipe so I checked last night and there is exhaust coming out. I got ripped off the first time I took it to the shop but I have a wonderful mechanic now. I have a suspicion that he actually undercharges me to work on my car, and he fixes small things for free. I was planning on taking my car to him today so he could look at it but I'm not sure if I should be driving it at all with the way it is right now. Thanks again for replying. If you need me to clarify anyhting about the probelms I'm having with my car just let me know and I'll do my best. Thanks again for replying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 you have a ses (service engine soon) light on? any idle issues? should idle in park or nutral at 900 rpm and 600 rpm on gear D/R(this is assuming you have a thachometer) any slow acceleration? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 On my way home from work it started to jerk when it changed gears for a few minutes, then started taking forever to change into the next gear. This sounds familiar. Pop your hood, with your car running, and check your transmission fluid. If you're low on fluid, your car will be sluggish, it will shift very slowly, or sometimes not at all. If you're low enough, when you floor it to downshift, maybe to pass someone, it will not shift down until you let off the gas some, or completely. If you've got symptoms like that, I'd say check the fluid. I know you said you don't have much experience with cars, but this is easy. Either that or have your mechanic check it out. I usually distrust mechanics as a rule, but it sounds like you have a good one. If you need me to elaborate on this, pm me or post here again, sorry I couldn't help more! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calys968 Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Okay, I took my car to the shop and it turns out a burnt through spark plug wire was causing most of the problems. My mechanic fixed it for free and it's running great! He is a really great guy...he helps me out with my car alot. I would like to get him a gift or something to show my appreciation...any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomFE3 Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 mechanics are very fond of their tools, the one thing that i always love being able to find is the right screw driver, you might want to get him a screwdriver set, even if its from sears or walmart, they are like 10 bucks maybe for like 6 different screwdrivers, you can never have too many screw drivers!! oh and by the way, your car looks great! i love those rims! and is that an erebuni kit i spy underneath there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan94Z34 Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 12 pack of beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maybe2fast Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Mechanics always love food and always look forward to lunch if it is cold where you are a hot cup of coffee will do just fine (trust me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 I'll second that on the food thing. Hot pastrami hero with an iced tea at least. Car looks very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gp90se Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Not that im making a pass, but where abouts are u from. ive met up with a couple memebers off here 2 help out with car issues, im sure theres others who'd be willing to help. -Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Man, why not? Id give my left nut for a cute girl that drives a car like that and likes it! The only other thing I'd want her to do it turn wrenches with me. Ah keep dreaming, Brian..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Man, why not? Id give my left nut for a cute girl that drives a car like that and likes it! The only other thing I'd want her to do it turn wrenches with me. Ah keep dreaming, Brian..... PS I would like to know what brand spoiler that is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey b Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 sounds like either the ICM or coil packs. They are located under the oil dipstick and the spark plug wires route to them. If you know somebody who knows a bit about cars at all I would suggest to look there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaPaPooh Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 the best gift you can give him business grab a stack of his business cards write your name on the back first or last let him know you do this and when you talk to some one give them a card and tell them to give it to him and he can look at the back and see it came from you a few of those will make him smile glad you got it fixed good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calys968 Posted January 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Thanks for all your replies. I think I'm going to get him a gift certificate to a nice restaurant since I don't know if he drinks or what he likes to eat. In answer to everybody's questions it's a Razzi body kit, I'm in southern AZ, and the spoiler was on the car when I bought it but I'll try to find out what brand it is. Thanks again for everybody's help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89oldscutlass Posted January 31, 2004 Report Share Posted January 31, 2004 Nice Cutty and welcome to W-body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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