I have a 95 Pontiac Transport 3800 engine.
It has been a long haul for my daughter and myself since my husband passed with cancer. Our only vehicle a 95 Transport seemed to run perfectly until my husband passed. My daughter is trying to get a college education and our funds are extremely limited.
At the present time, I have put on a new fuel filter, fuel pump, air filter, oil filter and change, new coil, plug wires, plugs, new battery, new starter, new altenator, new compressor for AC, new brakes, new tires. I am sure there are a few other items I have forgotten.
The car will go for days starting just by turning the key - then all of a sudden it will crank and crank but never start. I can go back a day later and try to start it - and it will start with just the key. I believe from reading some of the posts that this is probably the crank position sensor.
Once on the road, when I accelerate, seems I can accelerate for about a count of 10 or 15 and the RPMs drop and the engine seems to vibrate. I can let off the gas - it stops and I can accelerate again - same thing - so to drive down the road at high speeds, I have to constantly put on the gas and let off the gas to prevent vibration. Thinking maybe this is the throttle position sensor or maybe pressure regulator?
I took this car in for required inspection in November - always before it passed with flying colors. This time - failed - can't get tags. Here are the results from Nov. 14
Hydrocarbons: Standard: 220.00 PPM Results: 269.75 PPM -FAILED
Carbon Monoxide: Standard: 1.20% Results: .80% - PASSED
Since then, put on new coil, new plug wires, new spark plugs, new fuel pump, oil filter and oil change.
Took it back through inspection Dec 8.
Hydrocarbons: Standard: 220.00 PPM Results: 535.25 PPM - FAILED
Carbon Monoxide: Standard: 1.20% Results: .80% - PASSED
As you can see, hydrocarbons worse now than in November. Any ideas on the hydrocarbons?
Another "little" issue. The cruise control, turn signals, dimmer switch for headlights are all on one little arm - which has a "triangle" metal piece that obviously fit in the steering column. The triangle piece broke - and I ended up with the arm in my hand. Now I am told that I will have to go to a junk yard to find that piece and that the driver side air bag will have to be removed to do this repair??
I also am having "intermittant"problems with the power windows - sometimes when they go down - I have difficulty getting them to close - as in they will only go back up a little at a time - but only after accelerating - not in idling position.
I know the perfect solution would be a new car - I would gladly settle for a decent used - used car, but currently that even is not an option for us.
I am going to try to gather funds for some more repairs on my buggy this next week. I only have a few more days until I have to park it for failing the tests. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. We are desperate.