QuestionHi Tom, I took my car to two different places do a quick scan on my car and both places were unable to get the correct codes of what my problem is with my car. First I will tell you what my car is experiencing, then what has been done and a little history.
Problem:
Car runs rough when cold ie.. getting up to speed takes extra time, hesitates upon fast accelerating. Feels like it struggles to get going but once its warmed up it runs alot better but still struggles somewhat going uphill and passing cars.
There is no weird noises or bad smells ( tail pipe looks clean) engine doesn't stall and the idle is smooth and quiet.
What has been done:
1). Replaced fuel pump with brand new whole unit.
2). Tune Up.
My check engine light came on some time ago about the same time my fuel gauge started acting erratic. I thought the two were related.
I had it scanned by Auto Zone and it threw a code that my fuel sending unit was bad so I thought that was the problem and I had a new pump installed recently but the check engine light stayed on. Then I took the car to a mechanic in my town and they said they will do a quick scan to see what the problem was. They called and said the problem appeared to be the car just needed a tune up as it was just over 100,000 miles on it. So they did the tune up installing new spark plugs and coil boot etc.. but still it did not solve the check engine light issue and my car still runs poorly. I used to have all kinds of power with this car and its frustrating that I can't even pass someone without it losing power when i need it.
I have now spent a thousand dollars getting a new fuel pump and tune up and Its frustrating I still have the problem.
I have 2 questions for you actually, First, to narrow it down even more what do you think could be the problem with my car? and 2, why is it that a scan cannot pick up the correct problem? Could it be they aren't using a very reliable scan tool or what?
I will look forward to your response. I appreciate your time in helping me. If you need more info please feel free to ask.
Many thanks!
Terri
AnswerHI TERRY,OK,, I GET YOUR QUESTION >> YOU DID A GOOD JOB ON FILLING ME IN..
NUMBER ONE QUESTION,THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY A PARTIALLY PLUGGED EXH SYSTEM,LIKE A PLUGGED CONVERTOR..THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENG TO HAVE LOW POWER,AND NO TO LOW PICK UP..THE BEST WAY TO CK THIS IS REMOVE THE OXYGEN SENSOR BEFORE THE CONVERTOR AND DRIVE IT LIKE THIS TO SEE IF THE PERFORMANCE IMPROVES...THIS IS JUST FOR A TEST AND THE ENG WILL BE LOUD LIKE THIS BECAUSE OF A EXHAUST LEAK...SO IF THE PRBLEM IS BETTER, MORE THEN LIKELY THE CONVERTOR IS PLUGGING UP..
QUESTION #2 [SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST] I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CODE WAS THAT THEY ARE PULLING FROM YOUR PCM,YOU MAY NOT THINK THAT THE CODE GOES WITH THE PROBLEM BUT IT MAY..ALSO IF THESE SHOPS ARE NOT USING GM SOFTWARE AND ARE USING A GENERIC SOFTWARE THIS MAY HAPPEN..BOGUS CODES.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET TO A SHOP THAT HAS [GM SOFTWARE]YOU ARE CORRECT IN THINKING THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD OR SHOULD OF FIXED YOUR PROBLEM ON THE FUEL GAUGE..PROVIDING THE SCAN TOOL IS CORRECT BUT LETS SAY THE SOFWARE IS CORRECT AND THE CODE FOR FUEL SENSDING UNIT COMES BACK AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP MODULE ? THEN MY NEXT QUESTION IS DID YOU REPLACE THIS PUMP MODULE WITH A GM UNIT..IF NOT THIS AMY GIVE YOU A HEADACHE..WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH AFTERMARKET UNITS...SUM IT UP.THEY DO NOT LAST !!! MY NEXT QUESTION AFTER YOUR SHOP PERFORMED A TUNE-UP WHY DID THEY GIVE THE CAR BACK TO YOU AND STILL NOT RUNNING CORRECT ??? WE WOULD NEVER DO THIS. UNLESS THE CUSTOMER TOLD US TO STOP THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME ON FINDING THE PROBLEM..AS THAT WHAT YOU DID ??? THIS DID NOT SOUND LIKE A TUNE UP PROBLEM TO ME..AND IAM NOT PUTTING YOU TECH'S DOWN. I THINK THEY MAY HAVE JUMPED TO A QUICK CONCLUSION..SO I WOULD GET THIS PCM SCANNED [COMPUTER] WITH GM SOFTWARE AND SEE WHAT THE CODE SHOWS...GET BACK TO ME IF YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE CODE IS OR IF YOU NEED MORE INFO..GOOD LUCK TO YOU,,,, TOM
