Home and Auto What could be wrong with my car - Page 3

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.

**SAUTO** · 10-08-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

LOL . That's good.

But seriously. Something like that coould get a person hurt.

It sounds as though you have a problem with the transmission slipping. Try taking a pipewrench and put it on your driveshaft. Try to hold it while somebody puts the car in drive. Have them try to pull forward quickly. If you are able to hold onto the pipewrench without the driveshaft spinning around then you definitely have a slipping tranny.

WOW

Radar Chief · 10-08-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

LOL . That's good.

But seriously. Something like that coould get a person hurt.

It sounds as though you have a problem with the transmission slipping. Try taking a pipewrench and put it on your driveshaft. Try to hold it while somebody puts the car in drive. Have them try to pull forward quickly. If you are able to hold onto the pipewrench without the driveshaft spinning around then you definitely have a slipping tranny.

allen_kcCard · 10-08-2009, 08:26 AM

And the verdict is.....catalytic converter.

Looks like about $225 plus tax at this point for it to be replaced.

**bevischief** · 10-08-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

LOL . That's good.

But seriously. Something like that coould get a person hurt.

It sounds as though you have a problem with the transmission slipping. Try taking a pipewrench and put it on your driveshaft. Try to hold it while somebody puts the car in drive. Have them try to pull forward quickly. If you are able to hold onto the pipewrench without the driveshaft spinning around then you definitely have a slipping tranny.

Radar Chief · 10-08-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

And the verdict is.....catalytic converter.

Looks like about $225 plus tax at this point for it to be replaced.

That include the cat?
If so that’s cheap. Jump on it.

allen_kcCard · 10-08-2009, 08:35 AM

Yeah, that is total....they are a good place and the only way I won't be going there is if my dad says it is something he can take care of instead with all the rain keeping them out of the corn fields for a few days anyway and it being a quick thing he can do there.

**Donger** · 10-08-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

And the verdict is.....catalytic converter.

Looks like about $225 plus tax at this point for it to be replaced.

Well, I got the converter part right.

But, that's a damn good price for a catalytic converter.

**Skip Towne** · 10-08-2009, 09:24 AM

Forget replacing it. Take a sawzall to it.

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

10-08-2009, 08:26 AM	#33
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2153183	And the verdict is.....catalytic converter. Looks like about $225 plus tax at this point for it to be replaced.
Posts: 2,781

10-08-2009, 08:35 AM	#36
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2153183	Yeah, that is total....they are a good place and the only way I won't be going there is if my dad says it is something he can take care of instead with all the rain keeping them out of the corn fields for a few days anyway and it being a quick thing he can do there.
Posts: 2,781

10-08-2009, 09:24 AM	#38
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Forget replacing it. Take a sawzall to it.
Posts: 69,689