My 99 buick lesabre was running bad, and this was after new plug wires and plugs, had no power and would just about stall turning left or right, I had tested with a HEI spark plug tester and was getting good spark so I pulled the #4 plug that showed on the scan a P0304, well I found hairline cracks on the ceramic insulators so I posted on this forum and rjolly did some research and found that the E3 plugs I had installed have a high fai rate on the 3800 engines, therefore I replaced them with AC Delco iridium plugs and this was a vast improvement, it runs great, it pays to post and check things out

To clarify, I mentioned they had "a fairly inconsistent reputation in 3800'*". It seemed like there was a number of posts indicating issues with those plugs in these engines, while others were working perfectly fine after a period of time. It does appear however that they are shrouded in a haze of marketing hype and undelivered promises in the 3800 application. They are ultimately a copper core plug with a fancy electrode design that doesn't benefit and may or may not be a detriment in this case.

However, you are right, it does pay to go with the best parts for the application with things like these, and the best part is not necessarily the most expensive.

And heck, sometimes the simplest of problems have the simplest of solutions. We're here to help each other, because we sure as heck aren't getting paid to do this.

Always go OEM!

I really do appreciate the help and information that rjolly87 and Tech II have shared to help me and others in solving the issues we have with our vehicles and all that contribute.

I have a buick lasabre 1999 and it jerks on me every time I accelerate on the gas like trying to get on the interstate I have to ease on the gas , the jerking is not coming from the transmission it seems like a misfire ,

how long has it been since you had new wires and spark plugs installed? do you have any mechanical skills so you can test yourself and save some money, there is a website called easyautodiagnostics.com that you might take a look at, but this is a good start by getting help from the GM Forum, these guys are good, I would never would have been ale to get the things I needed fixed if it where not for their knowledge

Please start your own thread for issues. We will see it. We will respond.


Is your check engine light on, and/or flashing when your car jerks? If so, having it scanned for trouble codes (for free) at your local parts store will help to narrow the problem down. Your issue sounds like a misfire, which could be fuel, spark or mechanical related. Most often it'* a simple matter of spark plugs, spark plug wires, or coil packs. If you haven't changed plugs and wires in a while that would be a good place to start. Even if that does not fix the problem, its basic maintenance that should be done on a regular basis.


Start with having your car scanned for trouble codes at the local parts store. They won't charge for that service. Record the trouble codes, and post them up for us to review.

I have brand new spark plugs and wires , also wit brand nd new controll brank? Can anyway think of anything to tell me , and thank yu

Get it scanned, otherwise you will start throwing money at it without fixing the problem.

I had a similar issue when I had my '99 Pontiac. It turned out to be a faulty spark coil.