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  • #1

    Car jumping RPMs...Service Engine light...

    Ok, I was driving the Firebird ('98 Y87 3.8L) about a month ago and then I noticed that the rpms started hopping and the power wasn't getting to the ground. I got it home. And then I started driving it some and noticed that it just kept getting jumping...then the service engine light came on...and turned off right before I got to Autozone to run a diagnostic. So I drove it home. Day before yesterday it started doing it again and took it to AutoZone and got the diagnostic done and it said that number 3 cylinder was misfiring. The spark plugs have been changed once since I've owned the car. Well I went and pulled the spark plug today and it looked really old...so I replaced it w/ a Champion platinum plug. And then started it and I noticed that was better. And after a couple drives around the block the light went off. And then I noticed it happening again. And if I rev it in neutral it's fine but under load it gets jerky just accelerating
    it hops RPMS by like 500 rpms at a time and the needle goes just crazy!!!

    Should I try replacing all the spark plug (doing this tommorow anyways) or do you think I have a drivetrain/clutch problem? I'm thinking about taking the clutch out for a look tomorrow. If I rev the car up it makes this wierd noise when I let off the gas...Any ideas?
    MyKiE<br />1998 Firebird Y87 - (K&N Filter, DynoMax exhaust)<p>1991 Toyota MR2 - (Yamaha 3S-GTE motor, polyurathane hardened motor mounts, CP intake, custom 2\" boost meter, A\'PEXi S-AFC, Supra 550 injectors, Blitz \"Super-Sound\" blow off valve, MBC@14psi, GReddy SP catback w/ gutted cat, GReddy Turbo Timer, 93+MR2 15\" wheels, K&N breather, ATS downpipe, GReddy side mount intercooler, GReddy TD06 turbocharger upgrade kit fully polished and ceramic coated, Veilside body kit-torn side skirt and broken BoMeX front end, Fiber Images carbon fiber hood, Suspension Techniques springs, KYB shock and struts, Profile 1000 watt Califonia series amp, 2 8\" Rockford HE2s)<p><a href=\"http://www.jgtc.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.jgtc.com</a>
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  • #2
    Sounds like a bad plug wire. Check the resistance of the #3 and #6 wires. Shouldn't be more than around 3,000-4,000 Ohms per foot.
    Also look for signs of arcing and carbon tracking on the porcelain part of the spark plug.

    When these problems occur, they generally only show up under load and not during a neutral rev.
    Dan<br />1990 RS 170,000 miles<br />3.4L collecting dust<br />700R4-to-T5 swap completed on Dec. 13, 2002

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    • #3
      Make sure none of the wires are burned... I would suggest changing all the wires and plugs... just so everything is balanced... This could also be a vacuum leak, but it sounds like you found the problem... just make sure it's all working... Do our cars (3.8L) still have distributors? I haven't actually bothered to find out in the month I've owned mine... if so you should also look at the distributor cap and make sure there's not too much corrosion in there.

      It definitely sounds like ignition/spark issues.
      Black \'97 Camaro RS <a href=\"http://chillcat.fortunecity.net/blahblah.html\" target=\"_blank\">See Pics</a> 3.8L, 5 Spd, Disc Rear, Hurst short shifter, MAF Screen Removed, RK Sport Headers, 3\" Cat, 3\" FM American Thunder Catback, Compcams .512/.507, (2x)275/40/17 Khumo 712(front) (2x)285/40/17 Good Year F1 GS-D3 (back).

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      • #4
        Our cars don't have distributors...they run straight off three separate ignition coils I believe. One thing I was also wondering if it could also be a problem w/ the injectors. Getting to workon it. Thanks for the help though.
        MyKiE<br />1998 Firebird Y87 - (K&N Filter, DynoMax exhaust)<p>1991 Toyota MR2 - (Yamaha 3S-GTE motor, polyurathane hardened motor mounts, CP intake, custom 2\" boost meter, A\'PEXi S-AFC, Supra 550 injectors, Blitz \"Super-Sound\" blow off valve, MBC@14psi, GReddy SP catback w/ gutted cat, GReddy Turbo Timer, 93+MR2 15\" wheels, K&N breather, ATS downpipe, GReddy side mount intercooler, GReddy TD06 turbocharger upgrade kit fully polished and ceramic coated, Veilside body kit-torn side skirt and broken BoMeX front end, Fiber Images carbon fiber hood, Suspension Techniques springs, KYB shock and struts, Profile 1000 watt Califonia series amp, 2 8\" Rockford HE2s)<p><a href=\"http://www.jgtc.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.jgtc.com</a>

        Comment

        • #5
          Wow had anyone else noticed how much of a bytch changing spark plugs on our cars is? I'm haveing a hard time just getting to soem of them. How do you guy go about getting to all the plugs...passenger side mainly. I'm having some unexpected difficulty w/ that side for some reason. Do you guys remove the exhaust manifold or what? Starting to seem liek that my only option.
          MyKiE<br />1998 Firebird Y87 - (K&N Filter, DynoMax exhaust)<p>1991 Toyota MR2 - (Yamaha 3S-GTE motor, polyurathane hardened motor mounts, CP intake, custom 2\" boost meter, A\'PEXi S-AFC, Supra 550 injectors, Blitz \"Super-Sound\" blow off valve, MBC@14psi, GReddy SP catback w/ gutted cat, GReddy Turbo Timer, 93+MR2 15\" wheels, K&N breather, ATS downpipe, GReddy side mount intercooler, GReddy TD06 turbocharger upgrade kit fully polished and ceramic coated, Veilside body kit-torn side skirt and broken BoMeX front end, Fiber Images carbon fiber hood, Suspension Techniques springs, KYB shock and struts, Profile 1000 watt Califonia series amp, 2 8\" Rockford HE2s)<p><a href=\"http://www.jgtc.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.jgtc.com</a>

          Comment

          • #6
            Really sounds like plug wires. There's a TSB out for spark plug wires on 98 F-Bodies, along with a couple other years. I've had 2 of them go out so far, both sounding like your problem. Dealership replaced the bad wire for free.

            Matt
            Matt
            1998 Mystic Teal Camaro M5
            Whisper Lid, Pacesetter Headers, Catco Cat, Dynomax Super Turbo, B&M Shifter, BMR STB, LSD, P&P Intakes, GT2 Cam, Comp OE Lifters, 1.7 Roller Rockers, Pushrods, SSM Heads, DHP PowrTuner.

            Comment

            • #7
              Hmm...AutoZone did another diagnostic and it said cylinder 4 misfiring. I replaced the front and back ignition coils and took it back and asked them to clear the code..but he gave me some hoopla that I could go get the vehicle inspected even though my inspection is a month old, and the fact that they had previously done it. So now I've replaced ALL plugs, ALL wires, and the front and back ingnition coils and it still runs like *** and at idle...oh well I give up time to quit playing 18 year old Mr. Fix-it and take it to a real car shop. Thanks to all the V6.com members for helping me out w/ ideas, but I'm calling it quits on this one...
              MyKiE<br />1998 Firebird Y87 - (K&N Filter, DynoMax exhaust)<p>1991 Toyota MR2 - (Yamaha 3S-GTE motor, polyurathane hardened motor mounts, CP intake, custom 2\" boost meter, A\'PEXi S-AFC, Supra 550 injectors, Blitz \"Super-Sound\" blow off valve, MBC@14psi, GReddy SP catback w/ gutted cat, GReddy Turbo Timer, 93+MR2 15\" wheels, K&N breather, ATS downpipe, GReddy side mount intercooler, GReddy TD06 turbocharger upgrade kit fully polished and ceramic coated, Veilside body kit-torn side skirt and broken BoMeX front end, Fiber Images carbon fiber hood, Suspension Techniques springs, KYB shock and struts, Profile 1000 watt Califonia series amp, 2 8\" Rockford HE2s)<p><a href=\"http://www.jgtc.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.jgtc.com</a>

              Comment

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