89 Buick 3.8l skipping

1989 BUICK LESABRE
104,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MOPARAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
1989 buick lesabre custom 3.8L skips when put in gear, slow acceleration, bucks occasionally when it kicks down into passing gear, seems to idle and rev up fine when in park. Cleaned plugs and checked gap(two looked wet...possibly gas but didn't think to smell them before cleaning them.) Air filter is new. Pulled tube between air box and throttle body and sprayed carb cleaner in the throttle body while the car was idling. Added injector cleaner into half a tank of gas and drove 37 miles at 70-75mph to give it a good 'blowing out.' Still have the same issues. I plan to get an in-line spark tester to see if the wires or coil pack is bad...I'm thinking it's probably the coil pack...what do you guys think? Anything else to check first?
Jan 12, 2011 at 9:06 PM
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MOPARAM
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Forgot to add no check engine light ever during this issue.
Jan 12, 2011 at 9:07 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be caused by one of the following below

Oxygen sensor.
Catalytic converter.
Fuel injectors dirty/sticking.
Mass airflow sensor/Airflow meter.
Throttle position sensor.
Crankshaft position sensor
Knock sensor
Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
EGR Valve
Fuel pressure regulator leaking or defective fuel pump.
Fuel contamination.
Foul/defective spark plugs.
Open spark plug wires.
Ignition coil/Coil packs defective.
Incorrect ignition timing.
Cap and rotor.

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing.
Mar 27, 2011 at 4:49 AM
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