I need help...

[Kimi1976]

The last time I drove my 2002 Grand AM, it was fine. That was yesterday. I parked it in the driveway last night. I live in FL. The overnight low was approx. 30 degrees. I sent my sister out to start my car this morning so it could warm up while I was getting my daughter ready for school. My sister comes in and says "your car didn't want to start". (But it did start.) I said "it's probably just cold." When I went out to drive my daughter to school, the car sounded horrible and smoke was pouring from the exhaust. There was a funny burn smell. I popped the hood. I checked the antifreeze. It was fine. I checked the oil, it was fine. Belts all appeared fine. I noticed that the "service engine soon" light was on and my ETS light was on. The enhanced tracking system is always on, the light comes on when the ETS is OFF. The light says "Trac OFF" I NEVER turn the ETS off, I didn't turn it off today or yesterday. It tried to put the ETS back on but got no response. The car sputters. I turned on the Heat/Defrost, the car dies. When I try to drive the car, it has no power. Then when it does accelerate, it shifts HARD. I have no idea how a car can develope problems while it's parked in a driveway overnight!!!! I called a mechanic, he told me it sounds like the Air Compressor so I unplug the Air Compressor then disconnect the battery cables to reset the computer but there's no change in the condition of my car. My husband is at work but he thinks it's the O2 sensor. Any ideas?

[swalt]

Since the service engine light soon light is on, a code has been stored. Have a shop pull the codes and they can tell you exactly where a failure has occurred. Didn't you know that after you park your car at night, the Grand Am trolls go in and bugger up various sensors?

[Kimi1976]

Do you think it will be OK for me to drive it to Autozone for them to do the free test? Thanks for the help!

[Kimi1976]

I drove (very slowly) to Autozone. They tested my car. It said it was randomly misfiring on several cylinders. We replaced all the spark plugs but that made no difference. We were going to purchase the coils but the computer said "Not required" Apparently the coils are inside of the ignition module. Neither Autozone nor Advance Auto Parts can get this, they said probably because it's too new but maybe Napa could order it for me. I hate to have to go through the dealership because I know it will be expensive! I thought about replacing the Cat. Converter but neither Autozone nor Advance could get this part for me either... Has anyone else had this happen to their Grand AM? I don't know what to do...

[Dragula]

Try getting your fuel pressure checked, if okay, get the fuel injectors flushed. Why? = most likely cause of multiple cylinder missfire for your vehicle. And if you do get your fuel injectors flushed, make sure it's an injector service, and not an induction service.

Hope this helps.