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Question: 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity mileage: 220,000. I’ve been having this problem for a long time. My car will be running fine for a while and then all of the sudden it starts backfiring in the engine and stalling when I come to a stop. It stalls and chugs even when I’m doing 70 Mph on the freeway. It's weird because if you let my car set for a couple of weeks without driving it it'll run like new for about a week. And then it just gets worse the more you drive it. So the first thing I did was changed the fuel filter. Didn't work. So, I went out and bought one of those code readers, and the code read that I needed to replace the oxygen sensor. So I did and nothing. So, just recently I went out and had a brand new Catalytic converter and new muffler and I was sure that was the problem! But it isn't... HELP PLEASE!

Answer: Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump. Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your issue.

Question: 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity mileage: 150,000. Changed the thermostat and antifreeze. When the engine warms up some antifreeze goes into the reserve tank, but does not return to the radiator causing the low coolant light to go on the next time I start it.

Answer: The coolant will not return to the radiator from the reservoir if the radiator cap is faulty or if you have a small leak in your cooling system. As the cooling system cools down, a vacuum is formed and pulls the coolant out of the reservoir into the radiator. If there is a small leak, no vacuum is formed and the coolant will not transfer over and fill the radiator.

Question: 1989 Chevy celebrity mileage: 81,000. With a half of a tank on gas or less, when I make a sharp turn (mostly right-hand) or I make anything other that a very slow, smooth stop, I stall the car. Sometimes it takes 6-7 cranks to get the car started again. Any ideas?

Answer: The problem is with the fuel pick-up in the fuel tank. Remove the tank and inspect the pick-up. It is probably bent or broken. Check for cracked fuel lines close to the tank.

Question: 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity 2.8 mileage: 179,000. First, it is hard to start without pushing the pedal to the floor, and then it will run but very erratic. I have to keep pressure on the pedal to keep it running. Even with pressure on the pedal it will just die. The engine light does not come on until the engine starts to run erratic and then dies. The code reader says 12. My neighbor seems to think it might be the catalytic converter. The Torque Converter lock-up switch is disconnected and I even tried the test with the ERG valve disconnected. It has new wires and plugs, and O2 sensor. There is a tube that runs from the valve cover to what looks like the Throttle Body, but when the car is running it has no vacuum. Any ideas?

Answer: The timing chain may have jumped. In addition, do a compression check and check to see that the catalytic converter is not plugged. Also, have you car scanner by a professional to get the proper readings.

Question: 1987 Chevy Celebrity mileage: new/motor. I just installed a new engine; took car for a test drive. Ran excellent. When I got back I shut off the engine, now it will not start. I started to check for the problem: 1. Car seems to have run out of gas -filled tank -no start, 2. Fuel pressure low -replaced fuel filter -pressure is 40 lbs -no start, 3. Checked injectors - have pulse -no start, 4. Checked for spark at plugs - good blue flame - no start. Could running out of fuel have pick some dirt off the bottom of the tank and clogged the fuel injectors? The check engine light came on - checked the ECM for trouble codes - no bad codes came up. Code 12 came up it means no reference pulses to ECM. I hope you can help me, thank you.

Answer: Check the compression. Since you have fuel and spark, it would appear the compression is the missing link.

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Question: 1984 Chevy celebrity mileage: 83,000. I want to replace the engine in a 1984 celebrity with a 1986 - 2.8; both have carburetors. Will they match or will I have big problems? Thank you.

Answer: The engine should be a direct replacement. Swapping different model years can be a problem.

Question: 1989 Chevy Celebrity 2.8 mileage: 126,500. I have a 1989 Chevy Celebrity 2.8, Auto/Air, which I bought used with 126,500 miles on it. Personally, I don't have much background in cars -- I'm a computer person. But, if you can help me look for and test things, I'll at least be able to get it to a qualified mechanic for the right problem. It has a problem that when it's been traveling at higher speeds (50+mph), as it slows down, say to get off the highway, it goes into a complete stall. I can start the car again right away in Neutral, but when I engage into Drive (whether stopped or coasting), the engine stalls again right away. If I let the car sit for several hours, it becomes usable again. This problem does not always occur, but it does happen most of the time. For example, I had it out on the interstate at 75+MPH for 20-30 miles without a problem; but a few days later, after taking it through some stop and go city traffic for a about 20 minutes, I got it up to 45-50MPH for about 2 miles, and as I slowed down, it stalled again. Weather conditions were about the same both days. The car does not appear to have ever been in any major accident, but there is a small fender dent in the left front. All in all, the car runs very well. One technician (who didn't look at it) said that it might have something to do with a vacuum line and some diaphragm; he said to trace it off the distributor cap, but I am not able to locate it. Do you have any ideas?

Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission. It locks-up only in high gear and  it is supposed to disengage at lower speeds. Yours is not disengaging. There is probably a valve in the transmission “hanging up”. Having the transmission serviced with new fluid may help the problem. Next step, the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned.

Question: 1989 Chevy Celebrity 114,000.  The Ccar was running great, tried to start it the next morning and it wouldn't start. Have fuel. Checked for spark, there is none. I was advised to replace "Crank Position Sensor" I did that and still it won't start. Is there anything I can check out with a test light and digital multi-meter? I was a Chrysler mechanic but I don't know Chevy's at all. I also checked E.C.M. fuse it was ok.

Answer: Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question: 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity mileage: 194,000. I just had a catalytic converter replaced on my 86 Celebrity, and the air diverter valve. The air diverter valve melted, so I put another one on. This one has also sense melted. Every mechanic that I have been to is clueless to what is wrong, what is your suggestion?

Answer: Test the check valve that stops backflow to the diverter valve. Also, test the air pump for airflow; it sends cool air to the diverter valve.

Question: 1988 Chevy Celebrity mileage: 160,000. My car starts fine and runs fine but when I stop for 20 to 30 seconds the engine shuts off so I took the car to a repair shop. The mechanic said my control module was bad, so it was replaced. It still shuts off. Then it was the ignition sensor; replace it and it still shuts off. Now he says it is probably a vacuum or electrical problem. When I start it back up after it shuts off it starts up right away. Can you help?

Answer: Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system. An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the mal functioning components. Also, perform a fuel pump test and see if the fuel pump needs to be replaced.

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