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Chevy Lumina Car Repair Questions and Answers

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Question: 2001 Chevrolet Lumina  mileage: 70,000.   This problem only occurs after I have driven 25-30 miles at 55 mph or faster, when I take my foot off of the gas to slow down it starts jerking and stalls.  Starts right up in park or neutral but as soon as I put into gear (D or R) it stalls, eventually after revving in park, I'm able to shift and it drives okay.  I took it to a 76 gas station and they ran the electrical scan with the Chevy computer and showed nothing wrong.  Mechanic suggested new spark plug wires and the solenoid replaced which I did, this did not fix the problem.  The mechanic also suggests that the ignition module may not be working correctly, would this solve the problem.  Any other suggestions?  It cost me about $300.00 for the above work and I really can't afford much more unless it's absolutely necessary. Thank you

Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission.  It locks-up only in high gear.  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 paying special attention to the TCC solenoid. The TCC solenoid may have to be replaced.

Question: 1997 Chevy Lumina 3.0 mileage: 70,000.  My mom’s car sometimes races and is hard to stop, sometimes it stalls and other times it idles so low it's close to stalling and sometimes it runs fine.  Her mechanic has replaced ($$$) every item he could think of and nothing has helped.  She took it to a Chevy dealer and they did not know what the problem was and wanted to replace the computer.  Well, she knows two other people with 1990 Luminas with the exact same problem.  No one has been able to fix them.  One did have the computer replaced and it did not help.  Any suggestions?

Answer: Replace the idle speed motor, as it may be faulty.  In addition, service the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question: 1999 Chevrolet Lumina 3.4L mileage: 95,000.  If the car is warmed up and I'm at highway speed, then suddenly let off the gas the service engine soon indicator will light.  It is generating an EGR code (32, I believe).  The light generally stays on until I shut off the engine.  This happens more often when the outside temperature is at least roughly 40 degrees.  However, this does not have a big effect.  I have taken the digital EGR valve off and none of the valves is sticking.

Answer: From what you describe, your EGR valve may not be operating properly and may need replacement.

Question: 1992 Chevy/Lumina 6cyl 3.1 mileage: 75,000.  Right turn signal not working.  Cannot find fuse, if that is the problem.  When turning on the right turn signal the lights come on but will not flash.  Can you tell me the problem?  Thanks

Answer: Check the front and rear turn signal bulbs.

Question: 1998 Chevrolet Lumina mileage: 95,000.  I need to know where the fuel filter and PCV valve are located on the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina Sedan engine. I have done a general tune up and would like to finish the job.

Answer: The fuel filter is located under the frame close to the gas tank.  The PCV valve is located on the top of the engine by the valve covers.

Question: 1999 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.1 V6  mileage: 88,000.  I have a Chevy Lumina van.  I knew it was one quart low on transmission fluid, so went to the gas station to put fluid in.  Got fluid in checked level everything good, so get in van to drive away,  put in gear van jumps and stalls out.  Then I tried to go foreword, same thing, jumps and stalls.  No indication when I stopped that it was going to do that.  The van runs very good it will idle, but soon as you put in gear, it will stall out.  I think, maybe it’s the transmission locked up, but it will roll after stalling out and start right back up as soon as you hit the key.  PLEASE HELP!

Answer: Your car has a lock-up torque converter in the transmission.  It locks-up only in high gear.  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.   The next step, the valve body will have to be removed and cleaned paying special attention to the TCC solenoid. You may need to replace the torque converter clutch solenoid in the transmission.

Question: 1992 Chevy Lumina sedan 4 cylinder mileage: 95,386.  A couple of days back on my way back from a 200-mile return trip, my car lost power both on flat and hilly roads.  Stays no more than 50 or 55 and can't get over 65 on downhill.  There is little pull and over acceleration sort of slows it down quickly.  The weather has become real chilly, freezing and below wind chills in Pennsylvania.  Previously could go right up to 85 limit without difficulty.  I had done the oil change just after the problem started after I think about 6,000 miles, and have also added the fuel cleaner in the gas.  The car starts easily in the morning but would stop if I tried to immediately back up.  I have to sort of warm it up first.

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter.  Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test.  Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages.  If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question: 1993 Chevy Lumina V6 mileage: 84,200.  I just got the front and rear brakes replaced today.  They also had to replace the front calipers.  When I picked up my car and drove away, I noticed that I had to push the brake pedal down almost all the way to come to a complete stop.  It also made a sloshing noise (which I took to be that they were still "bleeding").  I wasn't expecting to have to push the pedal so far down, I have to press it farther than when the old, bad brakes were on there. The mechanic told me that the pads were semi-metallic and would take about 100 miles or so for them to mold to the drums.  I've not heard of this before.  I just want to make sure I'm able to stop!

Answer: If you feel the brakes are not correct, return to the service center that replaced them.  The brakes should work as good or better than the old brakes.  The drums or rotors may need to be machined or the hydraulic brake system bled.

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Question: 1992 Chevy Lumina 3.1 mileage: 124,000.  The heater is steaming the windshield inside the car. I have to wipe the windshield with a rag to see the road when driving.

Answer: Your heater core has probably failed and is leaking coolant.  The hot coolant turns to steam.  Replacing the heater core should fix your problem.

Question: 1992 Chevrolet Lumina z34 v6 mileage: 78,000.  I can't get the doors closed on my  car, I know I accidentally "flipped" something on the side of the doors when I was washing/cleaning it. Can you tell me or show me how to remedy this?  THANKS

Answer: Roll the window down and try “opening” the door with the outside handle.  That should release the latch.

Question: 1991 Chevy Lumina 3.1 mileage: 104,000.  Can I remove the ECM and have it tested.  After cleaning fuel system, replacing a plugged fuel filter and testing the fuel pump and pressure, the injectors appear not to be firing.  I’ve got good spark and 40# fuel pressure at the rail. Upon removing plugs, they are dry.  No codes appear.   The car just started bogging down and then would barely run with no power and then just quit.  It has done that several times and now won’t start at all.

Answer: We do not know of any service to “test” an ECM.   We would suggest substituting it for a known good unit.  Also, check the power supply to the ECM and ground connections.

Question: 1993 Chevy Lumina 3.1 mileage: 80,000.  When driving at 45-70 mph and let off on gas so lightly get a hunting feel.  Have had the TCC replaced - NO HELP - this started at 35000 miles a little worse now.  What about the converter?  Doesn’t do it every time.  Had it to a trans shop but said everything is fine.  Hate the jerking, hunting only at the 45-70 speeds any tips?

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter.  Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question: 1991 Chevy, Lumina Euro sport 6 cylinder mileage: 85,000. My blinkers are not working wanted to check for blown fuse. Where are fuses at on this car?

Answer: The fuses are located on the right side of the dash in the glove compartment.

Question: 1995 Chevy Lumina APV 3.8L V-6 mileage: 111,000. The van acts like someone is inside turning the switch on and off rapidly. When you start it, it idles perfectly, but when you rev it up past about 10,000 rpm's, the rpm's rise and fall between 5,000 - 10,000 rpm's. When you drive it down the road, you only get full power intermittently, as if the spark is being retarded someway. It surges until you reach cruising speed, then again as you try to accelerate more, or climb a hill. I have checked the fuel pressure, TPS, MAF, vacuum leaks, EGR, fuel pressure regulator, injectors and all. My next guess is that it is either the cam or crank sensor. But I do not want to buy these until I am pretty sure. Please help.

Answer: Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not "plugged" or restricted. 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.

Question: 1992 Chevy Lumina Z34 3.4, mileage: 104,000.  My repair manual it says to put the cam "flats" UP...my question, the cams and cam gears are round, what are they referring to when they say "flats"?

Answer: We think the cam "flats" they are referring to are the flat ramps that lead up to the cam lobes. When number one cylinder is in firing position the intake and exhaust cam lobes ramps are both up not down opening the valves.

Question: 1990 Chevy Lumina v6 3.1, mileage: 100,010. It labors badly after changing into drive and overdrive. I have no codes; my scanner showed incorrect volts at map & barometric sensor, the spark plugs are burning a touch rich. I used a vacuum pump on the map sensor, I didn't hear any change In the Rpms when I applied 20 inches of vacuum to it, but when I let the pressure off the Rpms did change.

Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, that could be the cause. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages. With 100,000 miles, you may have a partly plugged catalytic converter.

Question: 1992 Chevrolet Lumina, 3.1, mileage: 105,000. I have a leak on top of the engine by the right hand side of the front valve cover but it does not seems to be coming from there. It seems to be coming from just behind where the block is flat. Is that where the oil-sending unit is located?

Answer: Is the vehicle leaking motor oil or coolant? If motor oil, the engine has a problem with the "O" ring that seals the distributor hole plug. (Note: The block still has a place for a distributor even though it does not have one.) Oil pressure is present there and it can leak through the "O" ring. If coolant is leaking, it could be the intake manifold gasket or head gasket.

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