No acceleration

[sagitaris]

Hi all,
I'm the proud owner of a 93 Regal that performed quite well until a few days ago, when I got the engine light on and the car would not accelerate anymore. This means that when I accelerate, it hardly goes over 2000 RPMs, even if I "floor" the gas. Changing gerars appears to happen (I feel the small jumps). When starting from a light I can go to 2500-3000RPMS until it changes gears first time. After that I'm stuck at 2000. Temps are ok, oil changed yesterday, checked air filter too.
The worst part is that it started eating up lots of gas too!
If anybody has any answer or any other questions about the car, please send a reply. Any help is apreciated!
Thanks,
Mike

[BIG-L]

I got the engine light on

The best thing to do, is get it scanned.That way you can tell us the code and we can help you go in the right direction,instead of guessing.


~Larry~

[sagitaris]

I pulled code 53. It says smth about the EGR valve or exhaust system blockage.
I inspected the exhaust under the car and it looks fine. A few days ago I hit some debris on the freeway, which might have triggered this, but could it be smth that is not visible?
There is also a slight smell of gas, but no leaks or spots under the car or the pavement.

With the tranny in Park, I can rev the engine to over 3500 without any issues, its just when I drive over 25 Mph and it shifts to second gear that it feels as if the brakes are on!

Any suggestions?

[sagitaris]

Well looks like i found the answer to my problem. I rented a scan tool from murray's and pulled code 53 and 55 -- IGR coil problem. But that part is $169.99 so i went back to the basics and changed one of the ignition coils which did not have any spark at all. My precious 6 cylinder engine was running on only 4, thats where the huge gas intake and lack of acceleration came. So now its running smoothly again, like in the good'ol'times

[sagitaris]

Just to keep you up to date... After fixing the coil, the fuel efficiency increased by 20%! it used to eat up 18mpg, now its doing a great 25mpg

[raybuick]

hey sagataris, i'm having the same sort of problem on a 94 ,thinking the fluid was low or the transmission filter needed to be changed.I topped the fluid up but no change--I cant even spin the front tires in the rain. how did you know which of the 3 coils to change. I'm planning to change the spark plugs soon and remove the air filter. thanks

[bingalls]

I also have that problem on a 90 GS Custom, If i only give it a slight amount of gas the car runs, but very slow, if I push the pedal too far the car hardly accelerates at all.

How did you know which ignition coil to replace?
And, how much does one cost?

[maxwedge]

Guys every body is jumping on this "magic" coil bandwagon, there is a very noticeable engine misfire when a coil fails. A general loss of power with no noticeable misfire is usually low fuel pressure, clogged cat, fuel filter restricted. 96 up would have a misfire code for a bad coil also.

[bingalls]

I just spoke to my mechanic, in a 90 Regal there are no ignition coils just a coil pack.
I can't seem to get past 2500 RPM until I am going about 40 mph, even then I have little acceleration
I don't think it is a clogged fuel filter, while in Park I can floor it and get plenty of response.
Im taking my car into him tonight to figure it out, if I do I will post.

[rrichard7]

Check your plug wires. My '94 3.8L had a bad wire. It would start, idle and cruise but fall on it's face when I would try to accelerate. I got the real GM wires for about $39.00.

Good Luck,