I posted this question in the Texas section but noone has responded. This week my SES light came on while I was driving (it was flashing) and my car was running like crap; rough idle, major loss of power. The car has 43k miles. I took the car to the dealer and their diagnosis said the #4 and #5 fuel injectors were bad as well as those plugs. So they replaced the spark plugs and I replaced the fuel injectors along with the fuel filter. There was little improvement in driveability and the car is still running bad. There is a ticking noise coming out of my exhaust through the cut-out. It is definitely not an exhaust leak. Another tech at the dealer said it may be an electrical problem, so I gave him my stock mass air meter. They are not going to be able to look at the car until Monday. I would like some help in resolving this issue. If anyone has some ideas please reply.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

All we can do is guess without hard data, but my guess is that a couple cylinders are misfiring(which would explain the flashing SES). You might want to try on your own checking out the plugs and wires on the 4th and 5th cylinders. Worth a try.

 

Thanks for the reply. The plugs should be fine since the dealer replaced them. They said the plug wires were all o.k. Could bad wires really cause that much of a problem?

 

You should check for loose sparkplug wires, bad sparkplugs, broken valvesprings, bent pushrods, and check your coil packs.

<small>[ October 19, 2002, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: DravenMyers ]</small>

 

just 2 cents of advise that helped me out, turn out all lights in your garage and start the car , thats how i found a ARc that made my car run like hell for a day ..

Good Luck

 

Thanks for the replys, so it looks like it's either an ignition problem (plugs, wires, coil packs) or valve train related. I will relay this information to the dealer techs on Monday and will keep everyone updated on the progress. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

Eric

 

It also could be a bad crank position sensor, bad connector or wires going to it since it responsible for informing PCM as to misfire.
Being the SES light flashes says the CPS thinks it is multi misfires, P0300 DTC.

With a PCM scanner see what your AFR looks like, too rich would trip misfires.
Could be some crap gas.

Yank PCM power to flush it out and then see if it happens again.
Also maybe for some reason the CPS needs to be relearned ( via a Tech-II )

Also could be some of the injector wires have been rubbing against metal and now have random shorting, known area is back by the firewall where wire loom lays against a support to intake manifold.

 

OBD II says that if the SES is flashing Catalytic Converter damage is going to occur if the vehicle is operated without repair. If the lite comes on and stays on without flashing it needs attention, but you have some time to procrastinate. If your engine is running like crap who cares whether or not the SES is ON. The LS1 lends itself to the substitution method of troubleshooting especially with a misfire problem like yours. You can start by swapping plugs, plug wires and coil packs. Do a scan tool check EVERYTIME a swap is made to see if the problem moves. Keep swapping until the problem moves or you have eliminated those parts as the source of your problem. The idea of looking for arching in your garage at nite with the lites shut off is excellent. You might even find some other borderline parts using this process. Just don't close the garage door all the way while your doing this test. The ticking sound is a different animal altogether. You better have your valvetrain checked out real soon. Push rods, valve springs, valve stems, rocker arms need to be looked at.

 

Well, I talked to the dealer earlier today and he said it looks like the #5 cylinder has a dead-miss. They are sending the car to another tech to look at tomorrow, so maybe they will just have to replace that coil pack.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by ESMsilver00SS:
<strong>Well, I talked to the dealer earlier today and he said it looks like the #5 cylinder has a dead-miss. They are sending the car to another tech to look at tomorrow, so maybe they will just have to replace that coil pack.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sounds like its time for GM to replace the motor. It could have physiological problems being in and out of the shop so much...lol....keep us posted.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Well guys, I just got my car back. The problem was bent pushrods in the # 5 cylinder. $320 parts and labor. Total cost for the last two weeks including rental car was $800. Guess they don't make 'em like they used to. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> I am pissed off that this happened but I'm glad to have my car back. Thanks again to everyone that helped me out.

Eric