Engine Prob..

[pgriffith]

Engine is running really hot. Engine seems to stutter or bogg at low rpm's. At idle the rpm's shoot way up to about 3,000 RPM then when I tap the gas or change gears they seem to go back down. What is my problem? Car has been running good untill today. Its also very very hard to start. Takes about 5 seconds of cranking then finally starts. WTF??? Please help. I am in the garage trying to figure it out. So please help ASAP.

[Wicked 3800 V6]

IAC Valve? Any codes?
-Rob

[pgriffith]

NEW UPDATE:

Pulled spark plug and looks great, checked for any vaccum leacks and cant see or here any. Unplugged battery for 30-40 min. Started car again, starting alot better now. Drove around the block and it started acting up again but not as bad. After driving around the block I now have a SES light on. How do I check for codes?

[knowledgefreak]

Is the engine hot and the fans not kicking on? Is your a/c on? Is it hot all the time, driving and at a stop?

turn on your headlights, do they seem dim at all?

Or just go have your alternator or/and battery tested.

Bad charging system will cause all kinds of weird codes to happen. Does the amp gauge appear ok?

Just something else to rule out. Have a big stereo system on the car? Different ignition mods?

Anything of that nature?

Start with the beginning, if it has problems cranking over then you know it is either ignition, starter, alternator, battery issue.

This would of course cause all the symptoms you are seeing.

[ April 13, 2002: Message edited by: knowledgefreak ]</p>

[pgriffith]

Battery seems fine, lights arent dimm, car is keeping a good charge. Had my computer scanned and it pulled code "P102" Powertrain 102. They say its the Mass air flow sensor. Anyone know how much these cost? All shops here are closed till monday. Give me a guesstamate of a new MAF sensor. Thanks. But how does this relate to the car running hot?

[knowledgefreak]

300 bux i believer for the sensor

[AMinor65]

My car did that about 2 weeks ago, turned out that
a vacuum line looking thing had come loose from the intake plenum. If you're facing the front of the engine, it was on the left side. Car ran fine under throttle, but idled like I had a "really really" big cam.

[pgriffith]

The damndest thing happend. Car wouldnt start. I had to leave it at my local auto zone where I had the diagnosis test done. Left it there for like 4 hours. Went back with truck to toe it home and it started up and runs fine now. Actually better than fine runs perfect. Explain this to me please? SES light is now off and its running perfect? WTF is going on????????????/

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Maybe the thermostat got stuck? High temperatures cause the engine to run bad. I'm not sure what the PCM does to compensate.

[Shadly]

Yeah, start with the cooling system. When it's cold, open the radiator cap and start up. After a few minutes you should see flow. If you have flow, check for something else. A/F ratio might be too lean, head gasket, etc.