2001 Grand AM Gt problem

[slydog1979]

First time poster...howdy.

I have a 2001 Grand Am GT, V6, Regular maintenance has been performed, and spark plugs (double plat. delco) were just replaced. The car has 114,000 miles...most of that is highway miles.

Anyway, when driving the car this evening it hesitated or seemd to "jump" at times, especially when going from a complete stop to accelerate. The "Service engine soon" light came on, and stayed on. Does this sound like oxygen sensor?

Also...my mechanic said he thinks the wheel bearing is going out, but that it isn't loose yet. How long is it safe to drive on that before it becomes a big problem? If he hadn't told me there was a problem I'm not sure I would've even known. What are normal symptoms of a wheel bearing problem?

Thanks,

The new guy

[maxwedge]

Get it scanned and post back the code, this is the only way we can help determine what the problem may be, or have your mechanic look at it. If the wheel bearing is loose or noisey, it should be replaced soon.

[xeroinfinity]

welcome slydog1979. Sounds like a fuel issue with the hesitation. HAs the fuel filter been changed? If not, its probley time. GAs have some trouble with impurities in the fuel sysytem plugging the injectors causing misfires and hesitations.

The wheel bearings are known to go out frequently. If you can hear a dull roaring sound, that may stop when you turn, I would get them changed ASAP. You dont want them to waste away to far, it might damage the spindles(the part that holds the wheel on the car) and thats expenssive to fix.

[slydog1979]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

The computer found "idle air control fault code," and the mechanic also discovered a bad connection to the IAT switch. It's all better now (after $100).

Slydog