Hello, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a new owner of a white 97 SSE Bonneville. I really love this car. I am still learning about it everytime I drive it. What I have noticed, that might be a problem, minor or major, is that when going up hills I am getting a sputtering hesitation in the engine. Usually around 1500 RPM'*. It'* an automatic, so shifting from Drive to 3rd gear sometimes helps.... but not always. The sputtering could be described as a pulsing...sort of like if you were pushing the accellerator and releasing and pushing, releasing. Has anyone else heard of this happening? Any help is appreciated. If you need more info about my problem let me know. I will try to explain more if you need more info. Would , plugs, wires, cap rotor do anyhting for a problem like this? Also, when I bought the car it had 3/4 of a tank of gas.... Now its showing almost full, is there anyway to fix the gas gage??? ANY Info is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to enjoying this forum.

The gas guages are always funny, Mine tells me I have no gas when I have a half tank or so....

Sounds like it'* happening on TC lockup, high torque condition. When'* the last time your plugs and wires were changed?

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=16529

i had the same prob i think i will check my coils too but thats under 2500 rpm

An ignition misfire is always more obvious with the TC locked up in OD. Because your engine is performing at the lower end of the HP/TQ curves. To make it worse, your alternator isn't putting out it'* full potential. Although small, this can be a contributing factor depending on the age and condition of the Alternator and Battery.

90% of all stumbling felt in OD at 1500 rpms under light accelleration or a low hill-climb are ignition related. If you don't know the age of your plugs and wires, change them. They probably need it anyway.

Most bad plug wires will usually be on cylinders 2, 4, or 6. The rear bank is significantly hotter. Try looking for arcs at night with the hood up, and no lights.

thanks guys for all the fast responses!!! I will change the plugs ASAP... and wires. What brand is the recomendation of you folks? Whats the story on the coils?? Is there one for each cylinder?? I just bought the car, it has 98,000 miles on it. Who knows if the plugs were ever changed. Also, how many gals of gas does the gas tank hold? What are some other performance up grades that I could do on a meager budget?? I see you guys have your cars really fixed up in performance and style. Not sure if I want to do any outside mods, I totally love the way the body and trim looks as it is. Engine upgrades are probably my first mods. Thanks again, I really appreciate this forum,

Bill Wood

Personally I run AC Delco plugs and OEM wires.

There'* a Coil for each two cylinders, It'* a waste spark method. The spark plug fires twice a rotation.

They say the tank holds 18 gallons, Mine is 20.5 from dead empty to about to spill out.

www.intense-racing.com for your car, I assume you have the L36 non supercharged, But get it running right before you start modding.

I've replaced each of the three coil packs one at a timeover the last five years due to the same conditions that you describe. Eventually the coil fails completely to at least one of the plug wires that it feeds. Replace the wires as suggested already,....... then one at a time, remove one plug untill you find the one that offers no change in the misfire. Meaning,....... when you find the right one,(the bad one) you'll only have one cylijnder missing,........Process of elimination will let you know which coil pack to spend your $45.00 on.

all great advice, from people who know FAR more than i do. however, i swear that using electronics cleaner on my MAF cured the pulsing/surging in my SE. i changed fuel filter, plugs, and wires, but the surging really disappeared after giving the MAF a good cleaning. it works for some people, for others it doesn't. but its worth a try before spending money on a new coil pack.

On mine, the problem was spark plugs. (-the GM shop manual calls that condition "chuggle," and there are several possible causes). -most likely cause, spark plugs. (-or wires). -easy to find out.

Good luck !!
(-oh yes, and let us all know what you find. Thanks)