96 PA Ultra - Falling out of gear?

[StimulusJunkie]

Hey guys need some help.

I have a 96 PA Ultra with the 3.8 Supercharged. I'm supposed to be taking it on a long trip on Saturday, so of course it has started acting up. Yesterday while driving at hwy speeds up an incline (not too steep) it started to jerk a little like it was going in and out of gear. If i increase acceleration and it drops down a gear, it goes away. It is like it is falling in and out of overdrive or something. I already had an appt scheduled to get a tune up on Thursday, but would like to get some ideas about this other problem so that I can talk intelligently to the mechanic on Thursday.

Thanks in advance!

[HotZ28]

Usually, what you have described is called "spark scatter", in mechanic slang. If you use that verbiage around a mechanic, he probably would look at you, and ask, why you think it is spark scatter. Then you could describe the problem just like you did above, and tell him to replace the plugs, wires, fuel filter and check your fuel pressure and air filter. Then tell him, be sure to scan for any stored codes before he starts the tune-up. He would then think to himself, maybe this guy knows something about cars, and I better do a good job because he will check everything I do!!


By the way, “spark scatter” is caused by applying high voltage from the coils, to weak wires and- or, worn out plugs. Electrical current will travel the source of least resistance. In auto engines, that "least resistance" source is the nearest ground!