Help........? Please!!!!!!!

hi, everyone......

I have recently aquried a 1994 bonneville (se)..... and it's issues.:disappoin..I have reviewed many other forums with little sucess......after reading many threads here I am impressed... and I am confident that you guys will be able to help......Let me "TRY" and discribe whats going on.....

1. Car stalls when I let off gas...(ie) comming to a light.... will restart right away. This happens often.
2. will not shift right away..if i try to put the car in drive it dose not respond unless i shift back to park and again to drive....... then off she goes this only happens after car has been sitting......has only happend twice. I did check the fluid and it was reddish brown:frown:!!!

3. I have noticed that my gas mileage recently sucks along with poor performace....(ie) hesitating and the rpms are abnormal this started around the time the check engine light came...from what i read here this may be a sensor? or a Electrical Ground Bus Connector?

4. Last but not least..... every so often i can smell burning fluid of some kind....

I really don't plan to do the work my self ,for i am not tech savy... but i might try with your help.... my main objective here is to have some knowledge about these issues before going to a dealer or others where i have be burned... we all know how some would love to see me comming....
After reading many threads here... these seem to be common problems...I think????? Sorry post was so long....hope someone can help......


thanks, anna:)

Scan for codes and post them here, they will do it for you at places like autozone.
The stalling could be fuel related , maf sensor , vacuumad leak Etc
Bad gas mileage could be lots things to o2 sensor, needs plugs and wires etc

Welcome Aboard!

First, I have to presume that your car has the 231 Buick V-6,as most of them did in 1994. In either case, it's always good to add that information.

#!. For the low/unstable idle and stalling in decel, I suspect the throttle body and IAC may be dirty and sluggish. Remove the intake ductwork and expose the throttle body. Engine off, manually open the throttle valve and spray a carburetor/intake cleaner (like Gumout spray) into the throttle bore to the normal remove varnish deposits which accumulate there. Spray up and into the IAC inlet port, or better yet, remove the IAC, disassemble, clean, and lubricate it. While the ductwork is off, inspect the hoses and TB for vacuum leaks. Remove and clean the PCV valve with the same carb cleaner you used on the throttle body and IAC.

#2. While inspecting the vacuum hoses, remember to check the vacuum hose to the transmission. The 4T60/65E in your car will likely still have a vacuum modulator for line oil pressure control. Having the correct vacuum signal to the modulator is necessary to enable proper shift points. You should also drain the transmission and replace the filter. DO NOT have a transmission "flush" performed, and this may disable the transmission completely. Just drain the pan, change the filter, and refill with clean fluid. If you have the resources,it would also be a good time to install a transmission pan drain plug to make future changes easier and cleaner:

http://72.19.213.157/files/4T60EPanPlugged.jpg

#3. Check the stored error codes. It may be that the "Check Engine" light is on due to a vacuum leak, transmission slippage, or something else, and the previous steps may solve it. In any event, scanning for codes will display all that is necessary to diagnose the problem further.

One note of caution is that most places which offer free code scanning may not be able to communicate with your vehicle. The 1994-95 GMs used a hybrid OBD/OBD1½ scheme which requires a bi-directional scanner to access. Make sure you get a printed/written list of all the error codes.

$4. That burning may be transmission fluid, or something else. Changing the trans fluid and filter may solve that as well, and since the fluid is already turning brown, it's due for a change in any case.

Hi ,
thanks so much for the info.....i will start looking to these things the first of the week......i'll post an update

thanks again
anna