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My car started to run rough and check engine.

Tiny
JOEMKA
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 85,000 MILES
My car started to run rough and check engine light came on and flashed, had the code read and it stated that number one was misfiring. Had the plugs and wires changed (never had that done yet, cost me 320) and drove it home. After it heated up a bit, did the same exact thing again. He did a compression test in that cylinder and said it still had compression. Mechanic said it might be the coil. I really need help. Single parent not made of money =)

also the mechanic said it might have something to do with the Active Fuel Management system?
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Saturday, January 26th, 2013 AT 7:47 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,729 POSTS
Kinda need to know the engine size when talking about an engine problem. If yours has separate ignition coils, you can try switching two of them to see if the misfire goes to a different cylinder. You can do the same thing with injectors.

As far as compression tests, it's not whether or not a cylinder has compression. It's how much compression does it have and is it the same as all the other cylinders. From the way you described how it acts, it doesn't really sound like a compression / valve / piston ring problem. My first vote is for a coil.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2013 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
JOEMKA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The GXP has the 5.3, AKA 327 in it with the Active Fuel Management on it
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Saturday, January 26th, 2013 AT 11:33 PM
Tiny
JOEMKA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for the info. It is running a lil rich, very smelly. And I will check the compression in comparison to the rest, thanks for the info =)
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Saturday, January 26th, 2013 AT 11:34 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,729 POSTS
If its running rich, you may have a spark issue.
Read the guides below, they will help you figure it out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
NAOMIANN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
My service engine soon light came on in my 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Should I be worried about this and how soon do I need to get it scanned to check for problems?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
The service engine soon light is on due to an emissions related issue. If there isn't a driveability issue, then you have may just left the gas cap loose or something that can wait until it is convienient for you to have the car scanned and the issue resolved.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
My wife started her car in the garage backed it out of the garage and it died. The check engine light came on stayed on. All fuses look good, I cannot get my scanner to read her vehicle it keeps saying link problems. How can I get the codes without a scan tool what is the trick? Will not start.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It may be your scanner or there is a problem with wiring/connection. check crank sensor for ohms should be around 800-1000 then check fuel pressure with a gauge. See link. you might try another scanner if a friend has one.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you, I believe it is the fuel pump. No humming when key turned on.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,840 POSTS
Hey Rusty,

Yep the fuel pump is a popular fail in that car. Here is a guide to what you are in for when replacing the pump.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, two fuel pumps, MAP sensor, gas tank pressure sensor, oil pressure sensor, ignition relay, and it ran for a day. Then would not start for a week, ran for a week and now will not start again for a week now. No power to fuel pump? No one can figure it out?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DALTONTANNER24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
Started the car and it tried turning over but wouldnt, so I tried a few more times and nothing, then I tried once more and it worked, but the car was shaking badly and it was hard to accelerate without the car feeling bogged down and there was a bad smell coming from the car, the check engine light came on right away.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Have the codes read first to find out what put the check engine light on.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the battery for condition sometimes this causes it otherwise the wiring will have to be checked to see if power is going through system also try putting dielectric grease on prongs of relay as it may be a fuse box problem with corrosion. Also oil pressure switch keeps power to pump when running so check that for connection
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Pulled and checked every fuse, pulled and cleaned pcm connections, every connector I could reach or find.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
452 ids fuel pressure sensor since the pump has been changed look for a cut wire or shorting out someplace along the harness or a bad connection it may be pinched due to the pump replacement. It may be the same thing for the 230 code and why no fuel pressure the harness may be pinched or cut as both show a short to ground/open circuit
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VWTHUMPER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,000 MILES
My service engine soon light came on, car is running fine what would be a calculated guess as to what it might be? I also have a vibration on takeoff and have lowered my car about 2inches, would this cause the vibration?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
For the service engine soon light I would take it in to a auto zone and they will scan it for free, you can post the codes back here.

With the vibration, did it start right after you lowered it or did it take a few miles or days? Did the light come on as soon as you lowered it?
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VWTHUMPER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well I just bought the car last week and it wasnt on I had talkrd to the guy I bought it from he said he had put new hub axles in when he lowered it but said it was normal for the vibration just wandering if there is any truth to that
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
There may be a little bit of vibration, how bad is it? When you lower a vehicle or raise it it changes the way the tires touch the road, you will need an alignment and the tires checked to make sure they are wearing properly and not vibrating.

Get that code posted back.
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Monday, November 19th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)

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