Having some problems with my 1996 bonnie sse. Changed the thermo to a 180 and I think that might of made things worse. Car would overheat on the highway cruising at like 60. Then it popped up a check engine and traction control light. After that, i noticed the car seemed like it was running on 3 or 6 cylinders or not getting enough fuel or something. Well, next day i come outside, the check engine and traction control lights are off, but the car is still getting really warm. I bled the system for at least 3-4 days bleding it maybe 3-6 times a day and the problem still existed, so switched it back to a 195. Well, its not too bad now, but the thing is i was driving it last nite, and the same lights popped on, and then the car just died on me! It started right back up tho no worries. I'm sorry this is soo long, but i just wanted to make sure you guys had the info to help me. Thanks in advance

It sounds like you first need to scan the car and let us know what error code(*) there are. This'll help narrow the possible causes...unless there are obvious symptoms such as coolant or fluid leaking somewhere, etc.

ok, well driving home last nite, my car acted like it was miss firing. You could smell almost like a burnt wire smell coming from the car. It ended up stalling out on my 5 times from my buddies house to mine. When i got it home, it had a sporadic idle. Went to start the car up today, and nothing but smoke poured outta the back!! It ran for about a minute or two that way, and then it died, and hasnt started since. It turns over, but wont fire. No check engine lights or nothing. Please help I have no clue what to do

have you checked to see if anyobvious wires have burned have you double checked all yoour connections??its posssible that you might have discinnected the maf sensor while dioing the thermostat accidently, causing you to go to safe mode when that happens you will run really rich which cauces high exaust tempsp which in turn will melt the CAT, causing the stall issue. thats the only possibility of changing the thermostat and causing other problems that i can think of

thats funny you say something about the cat. When i restarted it a few days ago after it had died on me the first time, i smelled something really strong, kinda like a cat, but i really have never had a cat go out on me, so i'm not too for sure. But, I just checked my mass air, and its on tight. Thanks for the suggestion tho. Got any others? lol

did you smell a rotten egg type odor?

and what did your oil look like?

well, kinda sorta rotten egg smell. To me, it smelled alot more like burnt wires nearly. Like a missfire. But I know the last time I had a missfire, it popped up a code, and it meant it was time for me to do the plugs and wires. The oil looks good, I just changed it a couple weeks ago too. Why wont it pop up a code?

it should but not always i find about 70% of time the rear 02 sensor never works like its supposed to thats only thing that can tell you if your cat is fried or not. buuuuuuuttttt i know this may sound dumb but are you sure you installed the thermostat in the proper direction? but to me it still sounds like youre cat just finally let go IMO

lol, no it doesnt sound dumb. I installed it right because a buddy of mine asked me the same question, and i was thinking the same thing, soooo i took it back out, and yea it was right. So you're still thinkin its the cat? would that really keep the car from starting up too?