93 cavalier rs automatic shakes in drive and wont go

[nirvana1]

had it happen once already and replaced some stuff (plugs, wires and some kinda of module with 4 prongs coming out that connect to the plug wires) and it worked fine for about 3 weeks now its doing it again...when i put it in drive it shakes really bad and it acts like its not getting enough gas, i can also smell fuel coming from somewhere...maybe the exhaust... any help would be appreciated

[public]

1. Check for a stuck fuel injector (not something you can do at home). You can try some fuel injection cleaner. This can aslo help if you have water in your gas.

2. The IAC valve may also be sticking. This can cause the fuel/air ratio to go all over the place. Remove the IAC valve, clean with carb cleaner and a toothbrush if needed. Be careful not to move the pintle in or out. Rotating is okay. Be sure to also clean the inside of the mounting hole. Start it up, and once all that stuff gets run thru it should smooth out.

3. Check for loose wiring connections on the Oil Sending Unit and Crank Position Sensor. Also check to make sure the battery cables and ground cable are tight. Any of these can cause it to barely run or not run at all if loose.
Good Luck.

[nirvana1]

ill check all that...had my step dad look at it and he said it was only firing on 2 cylinders like the last time so he thinks its the module that the spark wires plug into again...thats another $160...any idea why it would short out twice like that?

[public]

If the module was bad it would not start at all. The module only provides spark up to 400 rpm then the ECM takes over. You can test the module at autozone. You may need to replace a coil. each coil on this car fires two cylinders. They usually go bad around the same time
(same construction,usage,exposure to heat...) kinda like light bulbs in a lamp.

[Fireplug]

2dead cylinders is a bad coil

[nirvana1]

ok tried to clean the iac valve and noticed that it wouldnt turn at all so i bought a new one and put it in per the chilton books instructions all that did was make it so it wasnt spitting gas fumes out the tailpipe...i can get it to go if i rev it up in n or park and throw it into r or drive but if the rpms get too low while im driving it starts to putter and shake and wont go anymore....sound like a tranny problem? id say its starting out in 2nd or 3rd when i do that because it jerks forawrd bad before it starts going.

[nirvana1]

already replaced one of the coils the one for 1 and 3 i think the other one was fine...its firing on all 4.

[public]

Does it idle smoothly? If so, try unplugging the TCC Solenoid. These go bad and leave the torque converter "locked up". This will cause it to die when put into gear. Again, Good Luck.

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

Originally Posted by public

Does it idle smoothly? If so, try unplugging the TCC Solenoid. These go bad and leave the torque converter "locked up". This will cause it to die when put into gear. Again, Good Luck.

ya those have been known to go in cav's - most people just unplug them an the car runs fine but if u plug them back in they TC will lock up within a few minutes of driving,
also throw a multimeter on the MAP check to see if that gettin proper spark - my buddy's maro had the same kind of prob an we did almost everything - checked the IAC - check vacume lines - an then finally bought a new MAP sensor an set it to .5 an it worked wonders the car never ran so good - i am not sure what the voltage on the engine is for ur car maybe someone else knows if that is the problem.

good luck man

[nirvana1]

pulled the tcc plug and it didnt help.

[public]

Look behind the steering wheel for a loose nut.