Home and Auto What could be wrong with my car

allen_kcCard · 10-07-2009, 07:22 AM

Planning to try to get it into the shop tomorrow, but wanted to see what any of you auto experts out there think might be wrong.

My car is a 2001 grand prix...generally a POS that we are trying to get as much life out of while it is paid off. We recently had it in the shop to get some sensors replaced, which was indicated by the service engine light and the engine starting to sputter.

In the last week or two, the service engine likght came back on, but there were no symptoms of a problem. Engine ran fine, fluids all good, etc. We didn't have the funds at the time to get anything fixed anyhow, so I had held off getting it checked out.

The last few week though, things have started to change.

It started with some loss off power at times when the engine was under a load at higher speeds...liek if I would hit the gas to speed up when already going 50+ is would lost power and I would have to tap the gas a little to get it to shift down instead of it just pushing through in the gear it was in. It also seemed to shift oddly at times, like it would be clutched for longer than usual and the engine would RPM up higher instead of a smooth shift like normal.

The last two days, it got really bad....when starting out and any time there is a load on the engine, there is a vibration, and still the loss of power, but slightly worse than before. I can't tell where the vibration is coming from, but it isn't in the engine at all....I can feel it, then slip into neutral and ref the gas and it purrs like it is happy that some nasty dog jsut left the yard. I have some hunches where the problem might be, but wanted some other opinions.

I don't think it has to do with the service engine light so much...as I said the engine seems great still...it is just when the car is in gear and under a load that things feel odd.

tooge · 10-07-2009, 07:24 AM

It's a Pontiac.

Radar Chief · 10-07-2009, 07:26 AM

Broken or badly worn Isosolator. Check the frequency grease level at the header bearing.

allen_kcCard · 10-07-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooge

It's a Pontiac.

Yeah...it wouldn't be if my wife didn't have her way...but that has been an issue for it since we got it...trying to get to a more specific issue at this point, instead of the glaring issue like that one.

MOhillbilly · 10-07-2009, 07:30 AM

blinker fluid needs topped off.

**Bugeater** · 10-07-2009, 07:31 AM

Throttle position sensor.

(that's a serious answer btw)

**Donger** · 10-07-2009, 07:33 AM

Torque converter.

Know it.

Love it.

Replace it.

burt · 10-07-2009, 07:40 AM

possible fuel filter or fuel pump????

Earthling · 10-07-2009, 07:44 AM

Check air filter too...

allen_kcCard · 10-07-2009, 07:45 AM

Torque converter...now that one sounds promising.

The isosloter thing did as well, but I don't even see anything like that doing a google search on it...is that another term for the converter perhaps?

If that ends up being the case...looks like it will be another several hundred dollar fix....damn car.

MichaelH · 10-07-2009, 07:56 AM

I had a similar problem with my 2005 Chrysler Sebring. My mechanic hooked it up to a computer and the mass air flow sensor was bad. You said you had some sensors replaced but do you know which ones? If you can't get an answer I'd go to a different mechanic.

MOhillbilly · 10-07-2009, 07:59 AM

i wouldnt over look the bumper bearings either.

**bevischief** · 10-07-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Broken or badly worn Isosolator. Check the frequency grease level at the header bearing.

allen_kcCard · 10-07-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

I had a similar problem with my 2005 Chrysler Sebring. My mechanic hooked it up to a computer and the mass air flow sensor was bad. You said you had some sensors replaced but do you know which ones? If you can't get an answer I'd go to a different mechanic.

It was the mass air flow...and one other that I can't remember now. That was for when the engine was sputtering and dieing on me though.

allen_kcCard · 10-07-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy369

Chit....guess I was had on that one.

10-07-2009, 07:22 AM
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2153183	What could be wrong with my car Planning to try to get it into the shop tomorrow, but wanted to see what any of you auto experts out there think might be wrong. My car is a 2001 grand prix...generally a POS that we are trying to get as much life out of while it is paid off. We recently had it in the shop to get some sensors replaced, which was indicated by the service engine light and the engine starting to sputter. In the last week or two, the service engine likght came back on, but there were no symptoms of a problem. Engine ran fine, fluids all good, etc. We didn't have the funds at the time to get anything fixed anyhow, so I had held off getting it checked out. The last few week though, things have started to change. It started with some loss off power at times when the engine was under a load at higher speeds...liek if I would hit the gas to speed up when already going 50+ is would lost power and I would have to tap the gas a little to get it to shift down instead of it just pushing through in the gear it was in. It also seemed to shift oddly at times, like it would be clutched for longer than usual and the engine would RPM up higher instead of a smooth shift like normal. The last two days, it got really bad....when starting out and any time there is a load on the engine, there is a vibration, and still the loss of power, but slightly worse than before. I can't tell where the vibration is coming from, but it isn't in the engine at all....I can feel it, then slip into neutral and ref the gas and it purrs like it is happy that some nasty dog jsut left the yard. I have some hunches where the problem might be, but wanted some other opinions. I don't think it has to do with the service engine light so much...as I said the engine seems great still...it is just when the car is in gear and under a load that things feel odd.
Posts: 2,781

10-07-2009, 07:24 AM	#2
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $624112	It's a Pontiac.
Posts: 17,202

10-07-2009, 07:26 AM	#3
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $2851503	Broken or badly worn Isosolator. Check the frequency grease level at the header bearing. __________________ Like "Cool Hand" Luke I'm busting rocks. __/\|_/[___] \|/ \\_\| ---OllllO _( ))~-( ))-0--))
Posts: 25,543

10-07-2009, 07:30 AM	#5
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	blinker fluid needs topped off. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

10-07-2009, 07:31 AM	#6
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Throttle position sensor. (that's a serious answer btw)
Posts: 70,546

10-07-2009, 07:33 AM	#7
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6819900 VARSITY	Torque converter. Know it. Love it. Replace it. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,135

10-07-2009, 07:44 AM	#9
Earthling MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $10008447	Check air filter too...
Posts: 5,995

10-07-2009, 07:45 AM	#10
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2153183	Torque converter...now that one sounds promising. The isosloter thing did as well, but I don't even see anything like that doing a google search on it...is that another term for the converter perhaps? If that ends up being the case...looks like it will be another several hundred dollar fix....damn car.
Posts: 2,781

10-07-2009, 07:56 AM	#11
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9192006	I had a similar problem with my 2005 Chrysler Sebring. My mechanic hooked it up to a computer and the mass air flow sensor was bad. You said you had some sensors replaced but do you know which ones? If you can't get an answer I'd go to a different mechanic.
Posts: 3,187

10-07-2009, 07:59 AM	#12
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	i wouldnt over look the bumper bearings either. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371