1992 Bonne SE - Lack of power
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1992 Bonne SE - Lack of power
Please forgive the long post, but I want to be sure I lay it all out as much as I can for you...
My car has not been giving me as much power as it has in the past. When I bought it used with 94K, it still ran like a champ. I know this usually dissipates a little over time due to wear and such, however, this change seemed rather sudden about 6 months ago or so, right around the time I had Jiffy Lube give me a transmission servicing. (Side note: It'* now at 121,000 miles)
Two things... First, I was getting 350 miles to the tank (from full to under 1/8 at least) from the time I bought the car (1.5 years ago) until the time I had JL service the transmission. Directly after the transmission service, I started getting 250-260 miles MAX (full to empty). Also, while I still believe I may have an electrical short somewhere relating to the RPM needle reading (it'* sometimes inaccurate and bounces around a lot), I've noticed that the car does not accelerate with near the kick that it used to. When I go to pass someone between the 60-80mph range, I just kinda drag alongside, and then if I catch a downhill break I'll push on past them. I just fixed the cracked vacuum tubes under the hood yesterday (they were disintegrating in my hands, lol), and I plan on changing the sparks and wires, but has anyone else had these similar issues?
Further, the RPMs never seem to want to exceed 3,000-4,000 (mind you, this is still reading from the faulty needle) even when I floor it, and I can't tell if I'm ever even hitting 4th gear... I'm beginning to wonder if the needle is really faulty, or if there'* really something wrong when accelerating. (The car usually idles at about 800-900 RPMs, and highway cruising at about 60-70mph I'm sitting on about 2000-2500 RPMs.)
As far as the JiffyLube deal goes, the only unusual thing about the whole tranny service was that they claim to have "splashed some fluid on the underside of the car" so they took it to a car wash and cleaned it for me.
I'm stumped...
My car has not been giving me as much power as it has in the past. When I bought it used with 94K, it still ran like a champ. I know this usually dissipates a little over time due to wear and such, however, this change seemed rather sudden about 6 months ago or so, right around the time I had Jiffy Lube give me a transmission servicing. (Side note: It'* now at 121,000 miles)
Two things... First, I was getting 350 miles to the tank (from full to under 1/8 at least) from the time I bought the car (1.5 years ago) until the time I had JL service the transmission. Directly after the transmission service, I started getting 250-260 miles MAX (full to empty). Also, while I still believe I may have an electrical short somewhere relating to the RPM needle reading (it'* sometimes inaccurate and bounces around a lot), I've noticed that the car does not accelerate with near the kick that it used to. When I go to pass someone between the 60-80mph range, I just kinda drag alongside, and then if I catch a downhill break I'll push on past them. I just fixed the cracked vacuum tubes under the hood yesterday (they were disintegrating in my hands, lol), and I plan on changing the sparks and wires, but has anyone else had these similar issues?
Further, the RPMs never seem to want to exceed 3,000-4,000 (mind you, this is still reading from the faulty needle) even when I floor it, and I can't tell if I'm ever even hitting 4th gear... I'm beginning to wonder if the needle is really faulty, or if there'* really something wrong when accelerating. (The car usually idles at about 800-900 RPMs, and highway cruising at about 60-70mph I'm sitting on about 2000-2500 RPMs.)
As far as the JiffyLube deal goes, the only unusual thing about the whole tranny service was that they claim to have "splashed some fluid on the underside of the car" so they took it to a car wash and cleaned it for me.
I'm stumped...
#2
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Please check for any codes that may not set a SES light by using the procedure in Techinfo. Ignore code 58. This is a known bug in the 92 PCM.
Check all connections to every sensor under your hood.
Replace plugs and wires if you don't know how old they are. O2 sensor also. AC Delco ONLY on the O2.
How many rpm'* do you run at 60mph in OD with cruise set?
Check all connections to every sensor under your hood.
Replace plugs and wires if you don't know how old they are. O2 sensor also. AC Delco ONLY on the O2.
How many rpm'* do you run at 60mph in OD with cruise set?
#3
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I assume you can check for these non-lit SES codes the same way (metal key + count blinks) as regular SES codes, right?
I know the sparks and wires are only about a year or so old, but I also know they were the cheap stuff from O'Reilly. I'll have to double-check on the O2 sensor. I just put it in a little over 3 months ago, but I don't remember what kind I got. I will double check the sensor connections. One of the vacuum hose connections I found yesterday only appeared to be attached. It had actually come undone (back of the engine bay by the firewall).
Unfortunately, cruise control is non-functional on my car, unless I just don't know how to operate it right, which I wouldn't totally rule out, lol. Seems non-working cruise control is a common issue in a lot of pre-95 model GMs I've run into, although I don't think it'* the car
When I'm coasting down the highway (foot off the pedal, no acceleration, just able to keep the same speed) it sits on 2000 RPMs. when I accelerate, it might hit 2,500 - 3,000 RPM.
I'll update on what I find out tonight, along with posting pics of the ride. Thanks.
[EDIT: Found the procedure in techinfo, didn't look hard enough, lol]
I know the sparks and wires are only about a year or so old, but I also know they were the cheap stuff from O'Reilly. I'll have to double-check on the O2 sensor. I just put it in a little over 3 months ago, but I don't remember what kind I got. I will double check the sensor connections. One of the vacuum hose connections I found yesterday only appeared to be attached. It had actually come undone (back of the engine bay by the firewall).
Unfortunately, cruise control is non-functional on my car, unless I just don't know how to operate it right, which I wouldn't totally rule out, lol. Seems non-working cruise control is a common issue in a lot of pre-95 model GMs I've run into, although I don't think it'* the car
When I'm coasting down the highway (foot off the pedal, no acceleration, just able to keep the same speed) it sits on 2000 RPMs. when I accelerate, it might hit 2,500 - 3,000 RPM.
I'll update on what I find out tonight, along with posting pics of the ride. Thanks.
[EDIT: Found the procedure in techinfo, didn't look hard enough, lol]
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If the transmission filter was not installed properly, could he be sucking a 50/50 mix of air and fluid thru the neck of the filter :?:
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Alright, checked sensor connections, all seems well. Doesn't appear that I missed any vacuum tubes while I was down there either. I'm stopping over at my dad'* tonight, so I'll check for codes there. Took pics with girlfriend'* camera, should have those up tonight as well.
I'm gonna run down to Dave'* M-X tomorrow to check for an O2 sensor. The one on there looks like I grabbed a cheap one. At the time I was looking for just a fix to a problem, not a long-term investment. Eh, you live and learn.
I should be getting my NGK plugs and Autolite wires this week. Hopefully that'll give me something to focus on while I think about this problem.
I am actually gonna be heading back up to JL for an oil change here in the next week or so. I think I'll have them check their work just to be safe. Thanks for the idea.
I'm gonna run down to Dave'* M-X tomorrow to check for an O2 sensor. The one on there looks like I grabbed a cheap one. At the time I was looking for just a fix to a problem, not a long-term investment. Eh, you live and learn.
I should be getting my NGK plugs and Autolite wires this week. Hopefully that'll give me something to focus on while I think about this problem.
If the transmission filter was not installed properly, could he be sucking a 50/50 mix of air and fluid thru the neck of the filter
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No codes coming up at all.
Fixing to post pictures in "My Ride" section. Let me know if you think of anything else.
Thanks.
[EDIT: Pictures now posted at the following thread...]
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=75345
Fixing to post pictures in "My Ride" section. Let me know if you think of anything else.
Thanks.
[EDIT: Pictures now posted at the following thread...]
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=75345
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