my 1990 pontiac 6000 ( 3.1 engine ) when i got it like 3 weeks ago was only running on 4 cylinders changed the plugs , got a new ignition module , got a new ignition coil ( the one that was dead was the 1 and 4 coil i think , its the one on the left most side if your standing in front of the car looking at the engine) slapped those in and car ran great til yesterday the car kinda feels like its only running on 4 again but not nearly as bad , when i accelerate it has a pulling/pulse like jerkiness to it , it feels like this when I'm at a stop light to the engine has a slight sputter every 2 to 3 seconds and when it does , it feels like its going to just shut off but it doesn't My question is should i replace all the other coils , do you guys think this is the problem? The car gets REAL hot , i know the RAD. looks shot but doesn't leak......bad thermastat? I dont have gauges , just idiot lights that are functunal though ( there are no lights coming on , no SES, Volt, Temp.....nothing)
Make sure your plug wires are good -- insulation breakdown can short a plug wire out to the block (or another grounded piece of metal) and produce similar symptoms to what you're describing. Also, I'd flow-test the radiator. If it looks shot, it may be plugged. Thermostats are relatively cheap, so you can just replace it to see if anything changes first, if you want to spend the money. Better to know what you're fixing, if possible.
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01:05 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
so hot that when i open the hood i think to myself wow, who needs a grill this summer I have a Pontiac 6000!! lol
Yes, but how hot is "wow" ? You need to find out if it's overheating. Temp lights can burn out, and sending units can fail. Get a gauge and find out for sure. Do you hear any boiling? Any water or steam ever come out?
no water or steam...............i might replace the rest of the the coils and see what happens , also going to try and find a nice lookin rad at the boneyard. If they want more than like 50-60 bucks I'll just go to advance or shop around online for one...........maybe Rockauto.com , anyone ever use them before?
Oh yeah replaced the plug wires....................no change
UPDATE: Found out that the car doesnt care if the MAP sensor is plugged in or not!!! Tested the the sensor and it works fine Had a vac. leak.............no check engine light car runs exactly the same with it unplugged would this be bad computer???? My girls dad said that the 3.1 computers from around that time where defective or something Any ideas???
If the car runs the same with the MAP plugged in or unplugged, I would think that means the MAP is bad (or maybe the hose going to it?) I'd replace that next if it were me.
but wouldnt the cpu throw a code or something , the light does work ( its not burnt out ) tested the volts ( dont have the reffernce materials off hand ) it all checked out.
UPDATE: Found out that the car doesnt care if the MAP sensor is plugged in or not!!! Tested the the sensor and it works fine Had a vac. leak.............no check engine light car runs exactly the same with it unplugged would this be bad computer???? My girls dad said that the 3.1 computers from around that time where defective or something Any ideas???
If the check engine light is good and is not setting a code with the MAP disconnected, something is wrong with the ECM. The car should barely run with a bad MAP and it would run way rich since the default MAP value is WOT. I would check the ECM by shorting the wires on the ALDL connector (it's A and B on a Fiero) then turn ign. on and see what the ECM flashes. You may want to invest in a Haynes manual before throwing anymore parts at it.............Paul
