Surge, hesitation, hot cat, no codes....

[BethAnn]

I have missed this site! We have an internet ban of sorts at work, and my home computer is toast. I shouldn't be here right now, but my car is screwed up! I didn't find a lot when I searched. It started with the car surging sometimes at cruise, the rpms would jump up momentarily. Then I noticed it also hesitates and has noticeable power loss, like it is running out of gas or I am driving around with one foot on the gas and one on the brake. It seems to idle fine. No problems starting. I just replaced the coils, ignition module, plugs and wires, fuel filter, and cat/exhaust all within the last 8 or 9 months. It is not throwing any codes, which is what stumps me. Then last night, I noticed when I got home from work the idle was really rough for the first time and something was rattling. I smelled something hot, and it turned out the cat was glowing bright orange. So now I am not driving the car til I fix it. I think the cat and rough idle are a result of the original problem, whatever that is. I don't think it is ignition related... anybody help? Thanks!

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

your cat is toast!!!!! red hot mean the exaust gas are nor passing buy the cat like they should. and it getting really hot, the rattilng means its toast....

it also sounds like a TQ conveter probelm too,,,

but fix that cat then see whats up after that

[BethAnn]

Ok... but I have a 5 speed, torque converter isn't applicable. The cat was new in March or so. I know it's screwed now, but it seems silly to replace it without fixing the initial problem, can't just keep buying new cats! I want to know what the underlying cause is first. I think it is running too rich for some reason. Anybody know about the throttle position sensor? I don't know how that is set up on the '99 since it is electronic.

[ October 29, 2004, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: BethAnn ]

[camaroincal]

Ya if you bought the cat less than a year ago and it's already toast, I'd definately say you're running ritch. Are your spark plugs gapped correctly? Is your thermostat too cold? Also, you haven't by any chance noticed any coolant leaking, or a musty smell when you turn on the air? It also could be a weak/dying fuel pump.

[BethAnn]

I haven't noticed anything else unusual besides the driveability issues. I did the plugs myself, they are gapped to the specs in my owner's manual, .6 if I remember right. That was a few months ago and it ran fine after that for quite awhile. Oh, and the thermo is stock.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

[img]graemlins/slap.gif[/img] lol didn;t read you sig

it could be MAF, TPS, MAP, or cam/crank sensor

you clutch isn't sliping is it?

[BethAnn]

Clutch seems fine. I'm inclined to think TPS but wanted to see if anyone else had similar problems or other ideas, or agreed that it's the TPS.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

need to find autotap and log everything, and see if a sensor is putting out so wried readings

im putting my money its you MAF