Need help diagnosing this problem.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Need help diagnosing this problem. Alright, i have a 1998 firebird V6 3.8. i just replaced all the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and the ignition coils. so my problem is that every once and awhile it will make a ticking sound, and my RPM needle starts to move really rough, but it happens very randomly. yesterday i was driving home, and it started clicking again, yet this time i was losing power, and i could not accelerate in second gear, and it was overheating. eventually it started to accelerate again, and the gauge lights were no longer dimmed. id love to hear your onions on the matter.
It sounds like you could have an electrical arc somewhere from a cut or bad wire. If the clicking happens with the cylinders firing, it could be a bad plug wire. (They will have enough voltage moving through them to easily arc outside the insulation if there is a cut.) If this is going on, it should be apparent to see in a dark environment. (at night, etc.)
Did this only start after you changed the plug wires?
Did this only start after you changed the plug wires?
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 440
Likes: 22
From: Houston Texas
It sounds like you could have an electrical arc somewhere from a cut or bad wire. If the clicking happens with the cylinders firing, it could be a bad plug wire. (They will have enough voltage moving through them to easily arc outside the insulation if there is a cut.) If this is going on, it should be apparent to see in a dark environment. (at night, etc.)
Did this only start after you changed the plug wires?
Did this only start after you changed the plug wires?
Check it at night like suggested. Shouldnt be hard to see, but could be its arcing right at the plug. Might be arcing behind something you cant see. But, would recheck all wires by removing them and looking for signs at the plug end.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Elk Grove Cali
I remember when I had my 97 bird it would shutter when trying to accelerate and was caused by a spark plug wire sitting on top of the manifold and getting too hot and melted. Like everyone above said, probably change your wires and make sure they are not resting on the intake manifold.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 63
From: Knappa, Oregon
Does your check engine light come on or flash? I had a problem somewhat like this with the '97 V-6 Firebird that I had. It would mis-fire while under a load but run fine otherwise. Weak power. A spark plug wire had a worn spot underneath and blew out one of the 3 coils in the pack.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Okay, so ive been doing a little bit of research, and i think it cold possibly be a bad clutch plate. please tell me if im wrong. the RPMs still jump when im driving, and it still overheats, but doesnt really start to climb in TEMP until i hit 5th gear. id love to hear everyones thoughts about it.
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 440
Likes: 22
From: Houston Texas
If I remember correctly, those 3.8s will cut wires easily on the passenger side when routing around/through water pump. I did this multiple times on my moms 01. Pain in the ***, cant remember what I eventually did to make it work and not **** up. This was 7ish years ago.
ETA: Forgot this part....
Point being, you may not be able to see arcs, I couldnt and only found it when I took wires back off to double check everything.
ETA: Forgot this part....
Point being, you may not be able to see arcs, I couldnt and only found it when I took wires back off to double check everything.
Last edited by demonsmokr; Jun 6, 2019 at 07:50 AM. Reason: Forgot detail