victor3ranger

I am trying to figure out what is wrong with one of my daughters cars, it si a 96 Firebird with a 3.8 V6.
The car ideals fine but when you step on the throttle as it gets to pulling RPM's around 3500 or above it feels like it is being held back and a slight vibration (kind of feels like spuddering).
I am going to change the fuel filter on it tonight.
Does this car have a MAF sensor?? If so where is it located?
Any other thoughts??????????

Phoenix216

i couldn't tell you if it has a MAF sensor or not. i would think maybe pull a couple plugs or check the air filter; see if something is dirty. fuel filter is a good place to start.

victor3ranger

The air filter is good to go but I was looking lastnight trying to see how easy the plug were going to be to change and for the life of me I couldnt even see the things. How the hell do you get in there to change the plugs on one of these V6's??

victor3ranger

Well, changed the fuel filter but still same problem.
Any suggestions?

BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

I had a 97 V6 with similar issue. I took it to a muffler shop, cat was empty, muffler was full of the junk that builds up in the cat. Check cat and muffler maybe that's it.

As for the plugs, I changed most of them from the bottom.

hope this helps.

WhitePhoenix99

iTrader: (12)

Yes the car has a MAF but I don't think that has anything to do with your problem. Are you sure the tranny isn't slipping?

ghardester

I've had two V-6 3800 series II Firebirds. The main problems that I had always came back to the plug wires shorting out. The wires on those cars are too long and cross over the engine. And the engine uses what is called a 'waste spark' system. One time I blew one of the 3 coils when a plug wire went bad. It would run fine until you put a load on the engine and then misfire and chug. Put new wires on and if that doesn't fix it have the coils tested for output.

victor3ranger

I am almost positive the trans is not slipping.
I am going to take the cat off to see if that changes anything next, if not then I guess I will change the plugs and wires.
What is the best way to route the wires if I put new ones on them?
This thing is a real headache

slvr98camaro

iTrader: (1)

there really is only one way to route them.. if you get wires made for the car, they will be different lengths, or you can buy a make your own kit and cut them a bit shorter so there is no overhang

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

I redid my plugs/wires on my 3.8 best route for the wires that I could see was the stock route. My old wires weren't melted any.

victor3ranger

Ok, I am about to sink this piece of crap in a pond somewhere!!
I had the Cat removed and that helped a lot, it was almost totatly plugged up, I changed the fuel filter, new plugs, new wires and made sure my fuel pump was at the correct pressure. Now the thing runs worse than it did to begin with.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

If it runs worse after changing plugs/wires make sure you didn't get the wires crossed my bro did that on his truck and didn't realize it at first.

Don't sink it in a pond... I'll take it if you hate it that much

victor3ranger

This thing is driving me crazy. I have to some how get this thing fixed so my daughter will stop driving my wifes vehicle.
Does anyone have a diagram for which plug goes to which coil so I can double check to make sure I don't have them mixed up??
While working on the car I was under the car replacing the plugs and routing the wires while my wife was taking each wire off to replace, not sure if they might have gotten mismatched.
Does anyone happen to have some good used coil packs for one of these?? Some that they know are in good working order?

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Driver side goes from front to back 1 3 5 and passenger side is 2 4 6 if that helps. The coils themselves are labeled which is which.

I *think* you can get the coils tested at autozone, but not sure on that. I've not done it, I just heard it somewhere.

victor3ranger

Thanks Sparky.
So the coils are numbered to which cylinder they go to?? If that is the case then I should be able to see what the coil post is marked and match it up to the cylinder right??

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Correct, the coil packs are marked. At least they should be, mine are and I have stock originals.

RsSean

iTrader: (27)

I alway had problems with the coils get corrsion on them from sitting under the cowl were water dripped on them. Also check the plug wire that run over the top of the upper plenum. They normally rub threw and arch off the the intake. Clean the throttle body while you are in there as well. Plugs too. Is it throwing any codes?

victor3ranger

The coils did have corrosion on the terminals, I took a fine wire hand brush and cleaned them up.
I gave up this morning and took it to a mechanic to check the codes. I pray he can find out what it wrong and it dosen't cost me an arm and a leg.

RsSean

iTrader: (27)

Did you happen to look at the connections in the spark plug wires that attach to the coils. If the coils have corresion than I can almost bet that the wire will need to be replaced. If you replace the wires buy some di eletric grease to put on them to prevent that from happening again. Keep me post I can really help you out been there done that.

lo_jack

iTrader: (27)

If this is ignition related you are not likely to get codes. It will just run poorly. It could be as simple as a shorted ignition wire, which will not throw a code either.

I would try to rule out spark and fuel starting with the easiest things first and working up. I doubt it is something other than one of those. Did you get an SES light?

Good luck.