1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

rough running, lack of power

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Old 03-27-2003, 12:10 PM
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Default rough running, lack of power

I have a 99 Bonneville SE, all stock. The car runs rough intermittenly, but mostly when it'* cold or has only been driven for 30 minutes or less. Once the car'* been driven for an hour or more it'* fine. Weather doesn't seem to play a factor in its performance either. It seems that when the RPMs are greater than 2500 it seems to miss and the transmission slips. The car has 53,000 miles. I am going to change the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter and air filter. I don't think I have a transmission problem here due to the lower mileage. About 1,000 miles ago I was getting a Cylinder 2 misfire from the computer. Does anyone have any other recommendations??
Old 03-28-2003, 03:27 PM
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Default Having the same problem!

:?

I/m having the same problem you are. I took it to the shop and they told me the #3 plug wire was bad so I changed out all the cables and it didn't fix the problem. It'* back in the shop today. I have ran fuel injector cleaner through it and it didn't seem to help at all. I'm wondering if it isn't a sensor or the coil pack. Please let me know what fixes your'*. Thank you!
Old 03-28-2003, 03:56 PM
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Yup. No shop in the land can tell you whether your miss is from the #3 plug wire or the #3 plug. It could be either. Even new plugs can fail early, or get fouled by another problem.

Plugs and wires should be replaced together for a problem like this. Plugs are cheap.
Old 03-28-2003, 04:26 PM
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Default Maybe a cam sensor?

Could it possibly be a cam sensor? If this is faulty or intermittent the timing won't keep up, or will it?
Old 03-28-2003, 05:01 PM
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I had a problem close to yours, i have a 1994 Bonneville SSEi I had 7 MPG and there was lack of power in my engine on top of it the supercharger was wacked out and the boost meter would goto -2 lbs, i took it to the shop and they told me that they balanced the harmonics i'm not positive what that means but now the car works like charm
Old 03-28-2003, 06:41 PM
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Default Cam sensor

I just had my 97 Bonneville in the shop and the tester/computer they used to run diagnostics showed no codes but the cam sensor light kept flashing. The mechanic told me that this light should stay on. :?:
Old 03-28-2003, 07:46 PM
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Default Cam Sensor

The light was on their tester. You make sense in that you'd think the light would blink every time the magnet passes the sensor. Maybe the magnet is to weak. I have heard of the magnets not holding up. My car does have 120,000 miles on it. What type of platinum plug is best for the 3800 6 cyl? There are bosch platinums in there now. The dealer told me that they get better performance from the ac delco plugs. I don't know if that because there a GM dealer or because it'* true.
Old 03-29-2003, 01:40 AM
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Yes go with AC-DELCO or NGK spark plugs. A lot of people here do not like the Bosh plugs. I got the AC-DELCO Professial Irdiums spark plugs and work great.
Old 03-29-2003, 02:07 AM
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Damn, a mechanic told you to ditch the Bosch for the Delco'*? Trust that guy with your life AND your car. Sharp feller.

Absolutely. The Buick 3800'* we run eat bosch plugs for breakfast. They don't last long.

As far as the cam sensor.....Even if it was at idle, I seriously doubt the human eye could even see a flash of the detection circuit from ONE cylinder reference, let alone all 6. You're idling at about 750 rpms or so. That'* 12.5 flashes per second.
Old 03-31-2003, 08:40 PM
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Don't forget that if all your replacements do not solve the problem, running rough, intermittent idling could be the result of a dirty throttle body. Just a thought........


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