Okay, so my car has been acting wierd for some time now. Started over the winter. Once every few weeks, the battery would be very weak when first starting. After drivin for a short time, it would be fine. A few weeks ago the problem became a daily issue., and became hard to start. So, I bought a new battery. Guess what, same problem. Last week, it developed a stutter when accellerating from a stop. Only happenned up to 30 mph, then is fine. And only happens when battery is low, once it charges it is fine. Check engine light comes on occassionally, but then goes back off. I tried Autozone, but they can't read the code. So, today I put in new plugs- NGK and wires -Autolite Pros, and put in a new air filter while I was at it. The old plugs, wires, and filter were all horrible, so...problem solved, right? No way. The stuttering has actually gotten worse. WTF!? I know my alternator is the source of the electrical problem, I tested that today, so that will be fixed soon. But, can anyone guess what the stutter problem is. Oh, and it makes a backfiring kind of noise when it is stuttering. Not real loud, and I think it is coming form the engine area somewhere. My father-in-law, who is a retired mechaninc and a Pontiac nut(different story for a different time), is going to drive it tomorrow and see what it does. Just wondering if any one has any possible ideas for me to check. I am sick of putting money into this car, but it will be nice to have a good car. (will be practically new by the time I am done)And I love my car, just very frustrated. My father-in-law said maybe the coils, and he has some of those, so that and the alternator are the next steps, I think. And I got to get it to my mechanic to read the codes. Thanks for any ideas.

Most autoparts store now read the codes for free too, just in case you can't get to your mechanic.

You got a good dad. My stutter a;so turned out to be the coils for what its worth. Kept getting misfire codes, mostly random, some cylinder specific.

Well, I had a new coil put in, and that fixed the problem. Have to thank my father-inlaw for that. Got me a free part, plus a spare, plus did the swap for me. Now I just need to get my alternator re-built, and I should be back to 100%

Nice job. Pays to announce your problem to family and friends sometimes.

Is your F-I-L a poster over on the Performance years Pontiac forum? If so, what'* his screen name?

No, he'* not much of a computer guy. Actually he couldn't care less if all computers in the world crahsed. He'* kinda old school. But, I think he would love it if he got into it.
*****
So here'* what I took out and put in.
OLD





Here is the new stuff, plus I put in the new Purolator filter and a coil form NAPA (free thanks to my father-in-law and his connections)


It most certainly does. Big thanks to all who have helped. And believe me, there have been many questions and I have gotten many good answers.