95 lurching

[Calhoontuna]

Have a 1995 Cavalier, manual. 152,000. A year and a half ago replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, and egr valve.

The thing has been lurching or bucking of late.

First noticed it was few weeks ago when driving at higher speeds --40, 45, 50, somewhere in there. The car would hestitate for a split second or get a surge of power, or both. Hard to tell.

Then I noticed it while accelerating in the lower gears. The thing would start bucking wildly maybe four or five times, the speedometer jumping up dramatically, before going back to normal. I say it happen during acceleration, but it also occured while going at a steady clip.

Lastly, on two ocassionas the thing stopped running while I was at a stop sign. Started right up again though.

Anyone know what's going on here? What are three things I could check out.

I already tried fuel injector cleaner as a poster from a previous posting had suggested.

[deadBird]

Sounds like your transmission is slipping. Check your fluid level.

[Tookie]

1: Transmission, and fluid

2: Throttle position sensor (TPS)

3: Obstruction; or restricted air intake ducting.

[Ryan066]

Vehicle Speed Sensor needs to be replaced. that is my guess.
Do a quick quick of the tranny fluid... if it smells burnt and really dark then id say its your tranny. Then check if there is 5 volts getting to the speed sensor. if nothing then there is something completly wrong with the wiring .. if a little then there is high resistance in the wires.. corrosion and shit. If everything checks out then the sensor is prolly bad... if you replace it and it dont fix then its your tranny.

[ringsincorona]

Sounds like the problem I had with my car a couple months ago. I changed my wires and a couple months later the plug boot started arcing to the bolts on the valve cover, I didnt notice it until I had my hood open at night. It would make my car buck on acceleration and stall out at redlights just as you explained. Got some wires from NAPA and fixed the problem.