Hello everyone, I need help. I have taken my car to 5 different mechanics and none of them can find the problem so I turn to yall!!

Ok here goes, its an 01 Firebird 3800 (but its SOM haha) The temp gauge goes up into overheating, no service engine light, but the car is not hot! has been checked with computer and everything so ok they say bad gauge, common problem right...idk..... once the car sits on 240+ degrees for maybe 2 miles it will quit taking fuel, the engine is running just nothing happens with the pedal it will spit and sputter for a second before it does this....but basically when u give it gas it does not go....this happens while driving....give it a couple hours to cool off and it will run just fine for maybe 20 miles then same ol same ol....anyone heard of anything like this before? any help greatly appreciated

 

How many miles on the car?
Whats the coolant look like chunky or normal?
Are you sure the water pump is working as it should?
Are you sure its not the pcm acting stupid.
Maybe a loose ground or wire.

 

It could very well be the temp sensor going bad, when it registers higher temps (in error) it may cause the car to go into limp mode which will cause it not to accelerate like it would normally. Do you have access to a lazer temp gun, you could wait till the car is warmed up and read the temp with the gun and compair to the guage.

 

Sorry - no help but all the best getting this resolved, just wanted to say that is one beautiful Bird!

 

My first guess is the temp sensor too.

When was the last time the coolant was flushed and changed?

Nice car, and unusual color.

 

Have you had it to a GM garage? Sounds like the ecm is putting your car into limp mode. When the computer senses high heat in the motor it cuts fuel off so the motor doesn't get hurt. It's a fail safe feature GM uses with there cars.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice....have tried everything mentioned except the ecm...gettting that replaced now I will let yall know what happens!


Stan1911- thanks!!


If anyone is interested I am located in Chicago and the car is for sale. Car has 173k miles but engine has 143k (I have documentation).Interior is in excellent condition. paint is loosing clear coat on one quarterpanel. T-tops do not leak. It is Sunset Orange a very rare color! I do not know the details on how many were manufactured but I think there is a SOM forum here that im sure someone could help with that info. If anyone would like more info hmu.