Hi, i hope somebody here can help. i just bought a 92 bonneville it has the 3.8 ltr. supercharged 3800 motor, when i got it it was missing and popping i changed the plugs (put in bosh platnium +4) ran great for about 10 miles then the insutruments started going haywire and finally quit and so did the car, i can crank it and it will idle (rough) but if i try to "give it gas" it starts really popping and then shuts down. I'm thinking maybe alternator? or is there another part i need to be looking at? any help would be greatly appreciated..

also my brother says its burning rich from what he can see.

Check your battery cables at all contacts. Peel back the protective cover on the battery side of the cables, check for corrosion and clean if needed.


Oh and pull the Platinum plugs out, throw them away and get AC delco or NGK plugs They are highly discouraged in forced induction engines.

First thing you should do is replace the spark plugs. Our cars don't like bosch and they dont like platinum.

Where does this popping noise come from? Could possibly be the cat. converter is clogged. Especially if its running rich. o2 sensor possibly out too.

thanks guys ill do that, but would that cause the gauge to act up like that before it died?

the instrument clusters on those year bonnies are known to go wild like that.. usually from corrosion on the connectors on the back...

a full tuneup is probably in order...

plugs
wires
fuel filter
air filter
pcv valve
etc...

biggun...if you need some help with the car, im Over in Fayetteville NC

i cleaned the battery cables, nothing changed, the popping sounds like its starving for air or gas i cant tell which but the exhaust smells very rich can an o2 sensor cause this, and instruments going dead? or could it be the brain (whatever thats called lol) btw thanks for your input guys im not giving up on her yet!

1993sle thanks for the offer but i cant even get it home right now im having it towed in the morning.

does anyone know about the security system? can it be bypassed someone told me this could cause the symptoms i have. just wondering. thanks

VATS disables the starter. No pass key, no start.

What have you done as far as what Haro has said...tune up?

After the engine dies, turn the key to OFF, then turn back to the ON position, do you hear the fuel pump prime?
If not,
Do power windows and locks work?

i havent replaced the o2 sensor yet but i did the rest, still no gauges working not even the compass or driver info panel, or rpm gauge, oil pressure, boost meter,or temp gauge.
yes you can hear the fuel pump when ignition is in the on position, it starts fine but after a few minutes it starts choking and dies, if you touch the gas pedal before that it dies quicker. and the power door locks and windows work fine.