98 skips and misses

Basically the car has hesitation throughout the rpms when the pedal is floored. The rpm needle jumps a lot especially around 3500 to 4500 rpms. If you put the car in park and hold the pedal to the floor it only reaches just over 4gs and starts skipping and won't rev any higher. The car loves to stick at about 2200 rpms and when the slightest pedal is put to it the automatic throws it into passing gear. Needless to say my fuel mileage sucks.

I've tried several different things to fix the problem myself I've spent over $500, several long days laboring, and dealt with the dumbest part store people in the world. And still my car isn't fixed. I began with plugs and plug wires, then the camshaft sensor, then fuel treatment, then an entire new fuel pump. Unfortunately this stuff took forever to install because autzone can't seem to order me a new fuel pump that actually works, and Napa employees seem to think 97 and 98 plug wires are interchangeable because the years are close together. Still my car continues to skip and hesitate.

If there is anyone who has any ideas what is causing my skipping problem I would appreciate your comments.

Possible bad O2?

What makes u think its the O2 sensor?

They are said to be changed every 30,000 miles. If something fouled one out, it could very easily cause poor performance.

Could be numerous things. Did it toss on the SES light?

No, I just had the car put on the computer a few days ago. But since no one else has any suggestions I'll replace the O2. Would have replaced it when you first suggested it but I was busy replacing the waterpump. I'm desperate to get the car fixed because of the bad mpg's. Do you think a bad injector would cause any similar problems I'm having.

An injector doesn't sound like the problem. But if it isn't throwing any codes, it doesn't sound like an O2 either.

Rather than change the O2's, try posting about this on LS1.com, LS2.com, LS1tech.com, etc.....

Well, I bought one O2 sensor already so i'll try that. I know I need 2 but maybe I could swap them out to see if one has gone bad.

I've talked to many people and no one else seems to be able to come up with a solution either. I guess I might have to take it to the proffesionals at Pontiac. It sux when a car stumps you like this. Almost makes me feel like less of a man or something.

Good luck. Mine is a constant battle with something. Lately is has been missing down low a bit, but seems fine up top. I am throwing an O2 code though, so that is probably it.

I appreciate your help and suggestions Mr. Luos.

The cheapest place I could find the sensor was on ebay for $50.00 Buy it Now they had 9 left last time I checked.

If you can find someone local to you that has AutoTap, or a good ODBII tool, ask them to come over and offer some beer. Might be able to tell something from that.

I'm having the exact same problem with my 96 camaro, I have been told that one my coils is going bad! But no one seems to know what the resistance should be on them, so I can't check them to see if they are within specs. mine also isn't putting out a code at all. If you do get it figured out, let me know. Is your's a v6 or v8?

I have more than one. But the firebird I'm talking about Has the 3800 V6. It's getting about 120 miles to half a tank and that's keeping it below 3g's. I've got some serious problems but no codes either.

Let me know if you make any discoveries

I just got rid of my 96 firebird with a 3800 v6. it was having the same problem . i could not figure out the problem to save my life. i went throught everything including rebuilding the moter. to my surprise it was the cat clogged up. just fire it up and see how much exhaust pressure you have at the back end if you suspect it is lower than ussual just unbolt the y pipe and run it open manifolds to see if it will solve the problem. don't be like me ! i spent around 8,000 before i found the problem so i had to get rid of it because it was to much head ache for such a small problem. I know it sounds stupid but i felt real stupid when it fixed my car. no offense but don't spend to much money get an older bird

Mine is also 3800 v6. I've had three different mechanics look at it, and they all say the same thing, " one of the coils is going bad". I thought about cat being clogged before, so i asked them and they said that it would have a constant miss. I don't know about yours, but mine just misses out whenever it feels like it. somedays it will run great, others it will run real crappy!

no offense but i was told the same thing by a mechanic at the dealership and after he replaced the coil pack ,wires, plugs, and 800 dollars later it didn't help

What kind of miles are on this car?

Was yours a constant miss? I couldn't see mine being the cat since it isn't a constant miss! But, I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first. I'm going to check the coils(not replace them) if I can ever find the specs on them! If that doesn't fix them, then I'll try your idea with the cat. I'm just having a hell of a time trying find what the resistance should be on my coils!!!

mine has about 70,000 on it.

mine didn't have a constant miss at first then it got worst. the resistance (ohms) on the coils should be around 6-7 ohms 5ohms is ok but is getting weak but would not cause the miss firing. mine started it trouble around 95,000 miles

Thanks alot man! I'll try to check it out tonight, and see if I can figure anything out.

NO PROBLEM. also when you pull the coils of the plate look to see if there is any white dust looking stuff on the plate or bottom of the coils this could mean they are shortting out but still have good resistance reading seperatly. if this is the case check the seals on the bottom of the coils for cracks and tears. making a silicone seal with gasket maker and solve the problem but you would have to be REALLY

NEAT with the stuff so it doesn't interfer with the connection prongs.

also try the y pipe it onlly takes a few minutes just be careful of the donut gasket it could be really brittle with high miles

Alright, I'll check that also. Are they very hard to get off? They look like a pain!

not hard at all just remove each one seperatly

Have you done a compression check?

No, it still runs very very good for a v6, whenever it's not missing out. and the miss just started overnight, not like it was dropping off on power at all before that.

If you can find someone local to you that has AutoTap, or a good ODBII tool, ask them to come over and offer some beer. Might be able to tell something from that.


If you're in Las Vegas or close, let me know. Or if I travel into your area soon(I might be headed back to Lancaster PA), I'll scan the car for you, just meet up with me.

No I'm in Savannah G.A. I appreciate the offer. I never thought about the cat going bad it could be a possibility.
The car has over 130,000 miles on it so it could be a whole lot of things. I guess I'll start by unbolting the y pipe and if that doesn't fix it move on to the coils.

I agree with Mr. Luos (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=277140) on the o2 sen., just make sure that when you replace it - not to touch the end of it, or else you just wasted all that cash... injectors would be the last thing that i would check... they hardly ever "go bad" ... and i know this may sound off the wall, but check the trans fluid, check it for leeks, and the torque of the transmission pan blots... (the only reason i say this is becuase this happened to me, and it was the transmission - more specifically the pump...). I wish you luck... let us know how it turns out for ya....

We'll for one...I just sold my 98 V-6 and it ran perfectly when I sold it. Go figure. I bought a 98 Trans Am so I guess I'm in for it now. Anyway at some point I had some of these problems. I ended up getting a dealer tune up and a top end pressure cleaning for the entire valve body, injectors, and fuel system. I changed all the O2 sensors, and the Cat right after that. They get soaked in the cleaning fluids and vapors and won't work right after that. I also installed a K&N filter, and changed my gas filter often...at least once every 6 months...never trust your gas company especially if you bounce around like I do looking for the best prices. I use cheapest gas, but feed her some additives every oil change which was every 3000 miles. Basically the V6 has a rev limiter installed and it won't ever peak or perform well at the top end...so don't push these too much...unless you're trying to kill it. Remember these engines are in the Grand Am and Grand Prix too. Four door passenger cars for peeks sakes. So be happy with staying under 3500 rpms. If you're having mpg issues it's going to be your emissions system most of the time. Plugs, wires, coil, and egr valve. Which one is it...only a real dealer computer will determine. I had one bad wire and I had just had the tune up done by the dealer. So I was lucky there. I used after market wires, but the GM wires cost sooooo much more. You could try to replace the egr valve because it's cheap and easy. I did that myself and it helped alot with mpg. So good luck and do all your minor maintenance and remember, it's a good looking pain in the neck. It isn't going to get any easier. If you really can't resolve the problem try using only the best gas for three or four fill ups. Sometimes the richer and hotter burning gas makes these cars perform just right...but it's expensive.

Possible bad O2?
This might be a long shot but I had an older 3800 in my car and found out they had a serious problem with the timing chain, the damper spring was too weak and caused exsesive play in the chain, the new chain and gears came with a much stronger damper, I removed the valve cover and watched the rocker arm on the number one cyl. as I turned the engine by hand and noticed the valve was opening a little too late, unforunatly I replaced all the coils and ignition modules before I found out the real problem. I don't know if this is your problem, but its worth a look before you spent a fortune on ignition parts.

my 1996 v6 had the same problems. I did have a bad coil and a bad fuel ignition module. I replaced the fuel pump relay (after hunting for it... btw it's under the driver's side interior panel... wtf), I blocked off the EGR valve with a plate (i know.... real bad... but it ran awesome) and the final straw was the fuel pump. Now it runs awesome. Mine wasn't a miss that occured all the time, and after I drove for awhile it was fine. Oh yeah... I replaced plugs and wires twice... i thought i was the only one with these issues

sounds like ignition problems, timing off?