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.

guages moving, car sputters

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Old 09-20-2008, 02:02 PM
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Default guages moving, car sputters

1995 Bonny SE
Lately my volts and oil gauges are fluctuating . Volts dropped, oil fluctuates a lot. The car rpms drop and it feels like it want to died. It did shutoff one time on a red light but started back up. Battery and alternator are about 1 1/2 year old. Battery cables are clean. Can it be the PCM? What else should I look at?
Thanks

Last edited by jal0065; 09-20-2008 at 02:02 PM. Reason: wrong year
Old 09-20-2008, 02:29 PM
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I would start with all the vacuum lines, and see if I had any leaks. Check the intake manifold gasket for leaks also.

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Old 09-20-2008, 02:45 PM
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Check for leaks. Then check your battery cables, both ends of both cables.
Old 09-26-2008, 11:22 PM
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I'm still having this problem. I don't see/hear any leaks. Any help will be appreciated.
Old 09-29-2008, 10:43 PM
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I assume the reason why your voltage/oil pressure is fluctation so much, must be from a really rough idle. Just what RPM are you at during idle? If your sure you have no vacuum leaks, I would then turn my attention to the ignition side. Check spark plugs, wires, and coil packs
Old 09-29-2008, 11:08 PM
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Its not really running rough. It just sputters. RPM'* drop for a second and it feels like the car wants to died. Its hard to explain. Now its "sputtering" at any speed, not always. I changed the plugs and wires yesterday. Im checking the coils next. Maybe a sensor? MAF?
Old 09-29-2008, 11:25 PM
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I don't think that your problem is MAF related. Is your service engine light on? If so, did you retrieve any codes? This reminds me of a problem I had with my 94 ssei 2 years ago. It would stumble in the mornings during idle, but only for a short time. It was a intermittent problem, that I couldn't diagnose fast enough. As soon as I popped the hood, it would rectify itself. I ended up taking it to the dealer, for the pros to figure out. Ended up being the ignition module under the coil packs. Since this is happening to you at a constant rate, you maybe able to ensure all coils are sparking. If all coils are sparking, pull the spark plugs, check there condition. Also, when the car starts to stumble, check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail, see what pressure it'* holding, or not holding. It could be fuel, but my money is still on the igntion side

Good luck
Old 09-29-2008, 11:32 PM
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No engine light. I am going to check my coil packs tomorrow.
Old 10-09-2008, 08:14 PM
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Well, I havent check the coils yet, I was out of the country. Got home today and drove the car. The jerking ,sputtering action is happening at idle and while driving. It seems to be less noticeable in neutral. Is a small jerking action and the car shutoff on a red light once. It just turned off, like turning the key to off. It started right up.
How do I check the coils, I'm also leaning toward fuel filter. Engine service light is not on , so far I have change the plugs, wires,oil and filter, air filter looks good. I don't hear or feel any vacuum leaks but I'm not sure if I checked all the lines. Any help will be appreciated.

1995 SE non supercharge 3800
Old 10-09-2008, 08:29 PM
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Car is a bit old like mine. I hope you have the factory manuals because it is wonderful. It will tell you where every connector and ground is located. I have seen this kind of problem before and quite often on older cars it is cause by voltage, power drops due to even MILD corrosion on chassis grounds and connectors. One important one is easy to get to right there at the coil pack mounting bracket. Remove, clean, re-attach any grounds. Find connectors, separate and re-connect. It has worked for me before, but not guaranteed, of course.

Best of Luck, JB


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