Time has been a factor on getting this figured out. But here is what I've done.

Since this started, while driving, I felt severe hesitation on a hot day. Keep in mind, I did the coils back in September 2019 and didn't change the plugs and wires. Ran great until it got hot out. I checked the coils and one of them had no spark at all on one tower. So I thought that was the problem for the hesitation when hot and the sluggish acceleration out of drive but normal out of low gear.

I replaced the bad coil and thought that was it. But still sluggish out of drive and hesitated the other day, again its June and hot in the mid 80s. So i'm thinking weak coils either because I never did the plugs and wires or just bad NAPA Eichlin coils. So I changed the coils under warranty which would have been 50 dollars p
er coil.

I also changed the original ignition module with a BWD. Still sluggish out of drive.

I'm doing this on the idea that spark is the problem with both the hesitation and sluggish movement out of drive. What do you guys think? I'm doing the plugs and wires by week end.

Let'* see how it responds to new plugs & wires.I used NGK wire set and years later they are still in good shape.
Use what your owners manual recommends for spark plugs as well. Gap them correctly before install.
Lets hope the plugs & wires eliminate the hesitations. Did you have any stored codes/engine light on ?

no engine lights on. keep in mind this is obd 1 so it won't tell me which particular cylinder or whatever specific problem. This has been a bitch and a half trying to figure this out.

question on changing the plugs and wires. Front looks easy but the back looks a little tough. i can get to them except for the that strut tower bar that is in the way. Can't get my arm around it. i need to remove it and then i won't have a problem. its not the strut bolts i need to remove but shouldered bolts on the bar itself. these might be a pita to get off. Does anyone know what socket i should use or any advice on removing it?

Hi Guys,

Front plugs and wires done. i figured out how to remove that strut tower bar that is blocking partial access to the rear plugs. I know some do it by going around but my arm just doesn't fit around it. So i'll finish the back plugs in the next 2 days and see if my original problem of no power off the line in drive but ok in low solves the problem. If not what else could it be?

computer? tps sensor? torque converter? clogged cat? low fuel pressure?

if finishing the plugs doesn't do it, at least the whole spark and ignition system will be accounted for= plugs, wires, 3 coil packs, and ignition module.

Ok folks, so I finished the back spark plugs and wires, so the entire spark system is finished. Plugs, wires, coils, and ignition module. The problem still persists although not as bad.

Original Problem: drives good when starting from first or second gear but sluggish coming out of drive either overdrive or 3rd. And I shift it manually from low gear to high gear and with no slippage. It feels like its fighting itself coming out of drive.

I thought it could be a spark issue because nothing has ever been changed in 28.5 years but that yielded mixed results. I drove it tonight and it seemed to get better as I drove it. Is it possible I had weak spark for so long that it might take time for everything in the ignition system to come together?

Could it not be spark related at all and back to my original thought of transmission related? A clogged transmission filter? Never been changed in 28.5 years but original fluid was replaced a couple of years ago due to a cooler line issue but filter is original, with full fluid currently and not burnt but clear.

Any opinions are welcome.

Also, forgot to say that there are no transmission leaks and level has remained steady now for weeks. Hesitation problem is gone but still sluggish out of drive until it gets going.

I'm hoping the transmission isn't bad but its not slipping as far as I can tell.

Does this sound like a clogged filter?

28.5 years & never changed the trans filter, it'* amazing the filter & valve body isn't glued together.
I would say it is way overdue for a trans pan drop & new filter & fluid.
Let us know if you find any particulate matter in the bottom of the pan.
I would recommend that you install the Dexron VI (6) fluid. It is a much more modern robust fluid, that will also perform better long term.
Dexron 6 is available at any parts store,

Hi Guys, hope all is well. Here is my update.

As previously noted, I replaced the entire ignition system to no avail. At least at almost 30 years old, that is done.

I replaced the transmission filter and fluid with Dextron 6 on Saturday. Took it for a drive and success. It drove incredible. I got up a very steep hill in my area easily, it was great. Then on Sunday, drove with my family about seven miles on local rides and again drove awesome. I mean the shifting was back perfectly. First to second to third and downshifts. Perfect, I was so happy.

By the time we stopped for something to eat, I was on the drive through line, and it started doing it again and has not been good since. I am so disappointed. How the heck could it return to being so excellent for a day and a half and then go back to the same problem? I am stumped.


What are your thoghts?

I forgot to mention, the pan was super clean, no metal shavings or material that you could see with the naked eye, nothing. Transmission shop will automatically, advise a rebuild with the age, you know that. But it has to be something correctable.

Ummm . . .