Jumper pins A and B with a wire, or a paper clip. Turn the ignition on. Watch the check engine light....it'll flast once, then twice, and repeat this three times.....this is the 'handshake' code, and tells you the car is ready to talk. Any series of codes after that are FAULT codes. for instance, a flash, flash, flash, pause, flash flash would be code 32. The handshake 12 and each error code will always repeat 3 times. After all the error codes are displayed, it will go back to the 12 three times to indicate that it'* done.

The diagnostic connector you need to jumper is underneath the steering column above where your feet usually go when you're playing with pedals!

If you're uncomfortable with this procedure, most auto parts stores will do it for free, cuz they think you're gonna buy parts. Autozone actually advertizes free diagnostics.

Get all that? You give us the codes, we'll decipher 'em for ya! :P We eat PCM fault codes for breakfast.

So I don't need to get one of those code readers? Very cool! You guys are the best!! My husband has my car at work because his fiero is on the fritz, but I can get the codes tonight for sure. Thanks so much! Oh, and by the way, is there an actual repair manual for the Bonneville? The only manual I can find is one for Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Full size models.

Will I be able to see the diagnostic connector, or is there something I will have to pull out?

There are manuals by Chiltons and Hayes(?) but I would recommend tracking down a factory service manual for your car. I have the cheap one for my '95 and it really sucks at anything beyond simple maintaince. It covers way to many years and body styles.

The check engine light has not come on, but the check gauges light has, which also lights up the engine on the panel. Where could I get a scan tool? Autozone does advertise free diagnostics, apparently there is a bad man at one of the Autozones we frequent who charges money to do this...we're going to another one where it really IS free. I'll check the plugs and wires and everything when my husband gets home. How do I check fuel pump pressure? I'll do that too. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it!

She can still pull the codes. It works until '95 in Bonnevilles. The trick is that in '95 GM changed the location of the pins in preparation for the switch to OBD II. I've pulled codes from my '95 using the jumper technique, so I know it works

I wrote down the pins to jumper on my '95, but I won't be able to post them until tonight.

Thank you, thank you! I'll keep an eye out for them.

Sparkplug wires you usually notice when the car is moving unless there is more than one that'* missing, and then it'* usually a surging then falling motion

Next thing, there WAS a recall on ignitions for GM cars made late 95-96. I just recieved a letter about it. It'* serious and can start fires, so check when your car was made.

NEXT: It says check guages. Shame on you guys for not seeing this earlier CHeck guages means just that: CHECK GUAGES!! This could be something as stupid and small as being low on oil, ore not getting enough oil pressure. This message comes on when your arrow runs in the red to the left of the guages Amy. So CHECK it. If everything is normal then you're looking at a computer error, which could be causing your rough idle in itsel. Computers are touchy. Gauges are to the right of the message, and they are (in my car anyway-shouldn't be any different from your'*) oil, temperature, and amp.

However, all that aside, it sounds like a bad coil pack. Well, no, actually, it SOUNDS like something to do with fuel...but my uncle had this exact same problem with his Olds 98, and it turned out to be a coil pack. I'll see if i can talk to him some more today and see exactly what his car ws doing. But i see to remember it like that because i was driving it one day and when we came to a stop and parked i always had to rev it up a bit if i didn't want it to stall, and i had to start it in neutral to get it in to drive to go or else it would stall.

Regardless....check the check guages Amy.. cars arn't as dumb as we all think

Okay, I'll check the gauges when the car gets back. I ran a carfax on it when I got it and it didn't say anything about any recalls. If there were it would, wouldn't it? Or is there another way I can find out about recalls?

No, not neccessarily. Here'* an article here:

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General Motors Recalling 1995-97 Chevrolet Cavalier And Pontiac Sunfire And 1996-97 Buick Skylark, Pontiac Grand Am, And Oldsmobile Achieva Cars
DETROIT, Mich. - General Motors announced a recall of approximately 1.9 million model year 1995-97 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire and 1996-97 Buick Skylark, Pontiac Grand Am, and Oldsmobile Achieva passenger cars. These vehicles will be serviced to prevent high electrical current flow through the ignition switch that may cause a fire in the steering column.

There are no reports of a fire caused by this condition while these vehicles are being driven. Most of the incidents occurred within minutes of an unsuccessful attempt to start the car, and there have been some claims of smoke inhalation. Some of the incidents occurred after the car had been unattended for a longer time.

"The ignition switch may deteriorate if the engine fails to crank and the driver holds the key in the 'start' position for an extended period. High current flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts," said Lori Queen, GM small car vehicle line executive.

If the switch is damaged, the plastic internal components may heat up, melt, and eventually ignite. This could occur even with the engine off and the key removed.

"If the operator is experiencing a "click-no-crank" condition, he or she should refrain from holding the key in the start position for an extended period of time," Queen said. She added that vehicle owners should have their vehicles checked and serviced if they are experiencing starting problems.

GM has notified owners about this recall and the precautions they should take until their vehicles are repaired. The letters will also tell customers when they should contact their dealers for repairs. When they bring in their vehicles, Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac dealers will install a low current relay into the ignition circuit. Additionally, they will test the ignition switch and replace it if necessary. These repairs will be performed at no cost to the customers.
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However, the one i recieved was about my car. this si the only one i could find though. hmm.