I'll try to write out exactly what i've noticed: About a week ago, the car started "tugging" around 45-55 mph. The car still rolls smooth when going down hill at this speed, or even on most level surfaces, but at times when the engine needs its power to pull up a hill, it starts "chugging" like the feeling when a roller coaster is pulling you up to the top with a chain drive. If you punch the gas hard enough to downshift, the chugging stops but still feels like less power than before this all started happening. No warning lights have gone off either.

My best guess is the transmission is starting to go (1994 SSEi with 96K miles). Other possibilities include dirty/clogged fuel injectors, fuel filter, or clutch. I'm ruling out suspension/wheel balancing based on the fact that at any speed as soon as you take the foot off the gas, the tugging feeling stops. I should also note that my coupler is definitely in need of replacement. Someone mentioned that a hole in the catalytic converter might be a possible problem(?). I can still drive the car, but it is definitely getting worse. I think if it were the timing belt, it would have set off a code. Thanks for any ideas you all may have....

There have been a ton of posts in this forum lately about this topic. My suggestion would be to look down the last week of posts. You'll find a pile of them. Also search for "Chuggle" that was specifically mentioned as a GM term. Bet you find plenty of things to check/try.

I thought it was my trans too. DOES IT ONLY HAPPEN AT THAT SPEED IN 3RD GEAR OR IN OTHER GEARS? That would help rule out issues I would imagine.


If it runs fine and not bogging down at WOT then you are in the same boat as me.

I can't count the number of people here who assume this is a trans problem, when in fact it'* usually ignition related. CLASSIC sign of a bad wire or plug. Pull all 6 plugs and inspect them. You have 80% odds of this being ignition, not trans.

We should post a big sign on the forum that says if you have a problem change out your Bosch and then post your problem. Bosch is the worst thing in our cars.

Anti-Bosch Zone!!!

Thanks for all your thoughts. I brought the car into the garage today - I know, probably should have checked the ignition myself first, but in this city (Washington DC) it just feels like I have so little TIME. If i lose my car even for a day it'* a major pain. The thing i love about this forum though, is that when i call the garage i have tons more info to tell them than just to say "it won't run right". The thing i noticed after i posted last time is that the chugging is most noticable at 3'rd gear or when the TCC lockup occurs (another new thing i've learned thanks to Bonneville Club!), but it still does occur at lower gears too.

The garages "over the phone" though was that the engine was misfiring. I've had the car for 30K miles and only changed plugs once (don't remember what i used, oops....if i used those Bosch would it cause permanent damage, or only as long as those plugs were in there?) Also the O2 sensor probably is due for a changing. Had a new computer installed about a year ago since the old one was giving me codes non-stop for the ABS. THANKS AGAIN, hopefully the garage will tell me whats going on in a couple hours. -Brian

People keep mentioning Bosch, but what about Autoline? Apparently those were the plugs that were in the car. Anyhow, got a tuneup, new wires/plugs, new fuel filter, all for $400. I thought it would be a bit cheaper, but it'* running great now so i'm not complaining too much. The garage said i might need to flush the tranny sometime in the future, and there'* the possibility of a damaged coil due to the autolines.

Has anyone on here written out an explaination of why the spark plugs differ, and why AC Delco work but the others don't?? Anyhow, problem solved (for now). Thanks everyone!