power loss & trac off light

I have a 1999 grand am w/ a 4 cyl. engine. Every once in a while the car will loose power and the track off light will come on. It usually only happens when the engine has been running for a while. You can press the gas pedal all the way down but you won't get any more rpms or speed. After a little bit it will go away and then everyting is fine.

I have a 1999 grand am w/ a 4 cyl. engine. Every once in a while the car will loose power and the track off light will come on. It usually only happens when the engine has been running for a while. You can press the gas pedal all the way down but you won't get any more rpms or speed. After a little bit it will go away and then everyting is fine.

WOW not only do you have the same car. But the excate same problem. Mine usally happens. Right after i start it. It loose power. But then its fine for a while. But after driving for a while it seem to have a power loose. I have had the Traction light come on once while driving. But My gas milages sucks now. Average is about 19 mpg. Mixture of Highway and city. But i know what you mean when you say lose of power. Also this started happening for me right after i took it in to get some work down and they replaced the spark plugs and a sensor under the car. It started happening? Can anyone help us.

if you are losing power and the trac off light is coming on, it sounds like the traction control system is malfunctioning. I really don't know if this would make a difference or not but turn it off manually before driving and see if the car drives ok. there is also a possiblity, highly unlikely thought, that your Abs could be the cause of this also. Honestly it sounds like the tracaiton system is failing or the sensor is worn out.

I just had my mecanic look at my car this morning. he said my fuel filter was cogged. I would check this out. Mine was still factory part so it had not been replaced ever. So thats a start for you. Also i would check the spark plugs and the boots and wires for that car too. Thats my advice.. My car not runs great.. Try it will work turst me.

Thanks for all your help. I did replace the fuel filter, and it was very dirty, but I have had problems since then. I also replced the plugs awhile back, but I am strarting to think I need to check them also.

If the traction light is on, the car won't run right. Reduced speed, gas mileage etc. The fuel filter won't cause the traction light to come on. You need to scan the computer(because there is a code set) and tell me what code it is for me to help you. Abs codes can put the light on also. Checker Auto will loan you a scan tool for free. The computer will hold the car back when that light (traction is on).

On my 1998 4 cyl GA the check light was on and traction light, which made the fan run all the time. It was the coil housing sitting on top of plugs. Very common problem with that engine that has stumped many mechanics. You can't make a plastic housing, sitting on a hot engine in my opinion. You will get random misfires and check engine or traction light problems. It does weird things....

Let me know how you made out..........

Thanks for the feedback. It really sounds like we are having the same problem. Will the computer put out a code if the check engine light does not come on. I have only been getting the trac-off light.

The question should be your how long your traction light is on. Mine came on brifely and then went off when the car was cold? The reason the light came on is due to the fuel problem. Most fuel related problems. (plugs, filter, wires) will not usally cause the check engine light to come on. Making it hard to to figure out whats wrong. Its been doing it for me for a long time. I finally got it fixed.. If your filter was bad is most likly got some crap in your tank or engine as well. Use fuel injection cleaner to fix that. Let me guess this usally happesn when the car first starts up in the morning as soon as it warms up at all its stops. The reason this happens to my understanding is cause your car is burning dirty fuel or whats left of it in your tank. So it hesatates a little you senesor on the wheel thinks your car is slipping due to the fact your not moving as fast all of a sudden. Its nothing to do with your ETS. (traction control). This is why your check engine light does not come on. Cause theres not an issue with that. I might not be an expert at this but i know i have had 4 grand ams and everything that can go wrong with them has. I'm lucky like that with cars. So i have had everything including replacing an engine done on my cars. After i had my filter replaced and ran some cleaner. It no longer happens. DONE. Maybe its just my car but we both have the same model and year and same engine. So its up to you. I would give it a tank or two to see what happens b4 you freak cause right after i had it fixed it was still doing it. But not 3 days later.. i havne't had any problems.