Wouldnt hurt to put new wires on since you have to pull them off anyway. Two years is alot for the back bank on a 3800, especially if the heat shields were taken off somewhere along the way. I had a 91 LeSabre, and a 91 and 92 Park Ave. Both 91'* were missing them and changing the wires helped them dramatically.

Thanks, I don't think the heat shield'* been removed, but I'll pick up some wires anyway, too. Even though Stephen is liking that pickup truck idea after all this, his aunt across the street needs a car so it'd be great to get this Bonnie running for her. I'll post results after the plug/wire changeout.

Jeff

Well, we replaced the spark plugs with "NGK TR55" Spark Plugs, and the wires with "Xact IGNITION WIRE SET ST XACT OE Style; with Delco Module" (both from the local Advance Auto).

Had high hopes so I took it to work this morning. Ran at 60mph for a few miles, then bumped it up to 65 as that was when it started sputtering last time. Sputtered with SES light and died again (same exact symptoms), restarted and turned around at the next exit, sputtered and died again. Restarted and made it another couple miles and died again, couldn't restart due to dead battery (too many restarts I suppose).

I got my oldest to come give me a jump, made it another mile before sputtering and SES light, but put it in neutral and rev'd it while coasting and it stayed running. Made it the next few miles home by very light acceleration/running and light rev'ing in neutral any time there was a downhill, SES light on the whole time but kept running.

We're going to donate it to charity as Stephen'* "new" pickup is running great, but figured I'd post results in hopes of helping someone else.

Jeff

Sorry to hear that man, 'specially after I figured the Bosch plugs were your culprit. My next place to look would have been the fuel filter. It could be clogged yet let enough gas through at idle/low speed but not let you go far after that. Sorry to see a Bonne end up this way.

This sounds like a fuel problem. Check pressure if you can, change filter. Put some seafoam in the gas tank to clear injectors. What codes are you getting when you have the SES light?

I thought perhaps the fuel filter as well, but would think that it would have sputtered while rev'ing in neutral as well (it didn't). I haven't read any codes yet as the SES light doesn't stay lit long enough. I may try to run it down to the shop and see if any codes are stored. I wouldn't mind doing a little more work on it to satisfy my curiosity, but I'm not sure how long my better half is going to put up with that <G>.

Jeff

jeff the first thing I would check is the ignition control module, camshaft sensor and Cranksensor. - Check your harmonic balancer and see if the facing is cracked up (rubber facing) then I would check all the coils - (sparks plugs are the least of your worries at this point because otherwise it would run poorly. I had the same problems and eventually, I went through alot of parts purchasing such as fuel filter, fuel pump, computer, crank sensor, ignition control module and harmonic balancer, coils etc. What my car is suffering now is it is not fireing power to the spark plugs - mine had the exact same problems as yours and in most cases its a heated crank sensor or ignition control module.

Em.

Well, she'* gone off to the big Charity Donation in the sky by now (the Bonnie, not my better half ). Thanks for the suggestion, though!

Jeff

Just when I thought I might be getting closer to an answer, I read this post. I will keep reading and see what happens, and then probably post my own with the knowledge I have gained, and perhaps someone will be able to help me. = )