Drive Train / Driveline Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: My 2002 Pontiac Firebird with a 3.8L, 5 speed howls annoyingly over 20 MPH. It whines and the sound seems to be coming from the rear differential. It can even be heard above the radio
when it is played at a medium volume. It only has 3,500 miles on it and the noise seems to be getting more annoying. I used to have a 1969 Chevy Nova that had a mismatched ring and pinion gear and this sound is very similar to that. Are all Firebirds this noisy or do I have one with mismatched gears or something else?
A: Your vechile is still under warranty,take it in and see if your concern is valid,ITS FREE!
Heating / Cooling System Making Noise When driving Always
Q: There's a screeching noise when running the Air conditioning or the defrost system.
A: When the defrost system as well as the a/c system is engaged or turned on, the a/c compressor is activated...
If the belt is loose or the compressor is seizing, the belt will slip and cause the squealing sound.... Ed
Ignition System Malfunction When driving Not applicable
Q: What type of distributor is in a 5.7L engine? And, does it have a separate cap and rotor or are they one piece?
A: It should be-
1. The standard old HEI GM distributer with ECM controlled spark advance, or
2. A no-distributer setup, with the ignition fire pickup on the balancer, front of engine.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When turning Always
Q: WHEN TURNING RIGHT THE BLINKER WILL NOT WORK. THE LIGHT COMES ON BRIGHT BUT WILL NOT BLINK. I HAVE CHANGED ALL LIGHT BULBS. tHE BLINKERS WORK FINE WHEN TURNING LEFT
A: change the "blinker" control module. Usually located near or on the fuse box panel.
Q: When I shut the key off the radio stays on and I can operate the windows. When I open the door the these shut off.
A: The good news is that it's made that way. It's a convenience circuit GM started putting in cars in the 90's. It lets you shut off the car, say in the garage, and still roll the windows up or down, or finish listening to your favorite song. As you've noticed, it shuts off when you open the door. This is to keep from draining the battery, or to keep someone from using a coat hangar to open your power windows and steal your car. The owners manual has all of the details.
Q: As I slow down right before a stop or a turn, my car seems to want to stall. The interior lights, headlights, etc. go dim and the voltage meter drops. This problem has haunted me for a few years, and nothing has seemed to fix it for good.
Q: I have just replaced my '89 Firebird's engine (2.8) with a '90 Firebird's engine(3.1). I just need to know what kind of things could be bad with the change of size and year.
Q: My '89 Firebird stalls out when ever i get under 20 MPH. It has had a GM 5.7 liter tuned-port injection engine in it.
I'm wondering if you have any sugestions...
A: Clean the idle air control motor and channel....
Disconnect the battery (negative post) for 1 minute. Reattach, and enjoy your driving..... Ed
Q: I want to know - does the fan on a 1989 Pontiac Firebird work off of the computer (ecm)?
A: No, the fan is operated by a coolant fan relay via a tempature switch that is located in the side of the engine block. When the switch closes it actuates the relay and in turn runs the cooling fan.
Q: Lurching while driving. Sometimes you can drive several miles before this starts. Then it will quit running except for a rough idel. Have to disconnect battery and reconnect then it will run ok for a while. But then eventually it will do it again. This is an F code 5.0 engine with 61,000 miles.
A: You are erasing the trouble codes when you disconnect battery. Instead you need to check stored trouble codes. Instructions are too long to type out. Many sites with instuctions on net.
Just type "retrieving trouble codes" into a search engines. You should find several sites to choose from.
Q: I have a formula with a 305.
While driving, I accelerate slightly, and it starts to jerk slightly.
When it is in overdrive it does it really bad.
I replaced the spark plugs, cap and rotor, plug wires,tranny filter and fluid, and the air filter, and it still has the same problem.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Vibration Happens always Always
Q: My car will start at a high idle and eventually work its way down to about 700rpm?
Then it gives off all signs of skipping but ive checked all plugs and wires placement (just replaced) and i cant figure out why?
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction When driving When warm
Q: The car stalls out, but starts right back up.
A: Remove the idle air control valve, and clean the tip. Also clean all around the chamber, and right where the iac valve fits into the intake......
A good carb cleaner will do it for you..... Ed
Q: When my 2.8l 1988 Firebird is under acceleration, it runs rough, and doesn't seem to run on all 6 cylinders (lack of power).
I have just replaced the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor.
A: If after you replaced them, check to see that they are in the correct order. Also, check for proper fuel injector operation as well. Ed
Heating / Cooling System Malfunction Happens sometimes Always
Q: When I turn on the a/c, no cold air comes out of the vents, and the rpms on the gage move up and down - until I turn off the a/c again.
A: Your heater valve may not be shutting, therefore canceling out the cold air with warm air. Another problem may be a low freon level, there might not be enough freon to feed the cold air in the system.
Heating / Cooling System Malfunction When stopped When warm
Q: When the car reaches about 200f and the rpms are around 500 the oil presure gage goes crazy variating quickly from 40 - 80.
Could it be my oil pump or my sending unit?
A: It is the sending unit. Known problem for many GM's of this vintage.
Q: could u tell me the firing order on a 1988 pontiac firebird with a 2.8 engine, it idles rough, could i have it wired wrong?
A: Firing order, 1 2 3 4 5 6 and clockwise rotation.
_1____3_____5_
front of car
_2_____4____6_
Keep in mind: the number one cylinder is on the passengers side (opposed to traditional GM's that are on the drivers side).
If the engine only started to run like this after a wire change... Yes
Q: I have a 1986 firebird. What does it take to put disc brakes in the back?
A: They are more trouble than they are worth you need calipers, rotors, backings, master cylinder, proportioning valve and e-brake cables.
Save your money and don't do it. They seize up if you don't use your e-brake alot plus that is how the sytem adjusts out, but if you want to save some cash. check all-parts to find one get the whole rear end ist cheaper and a lot easier.
Q: I have a 1986 firebird. with a 305 cid in it now.
Can I put a 350 cid in it? Will that work ok?
Do I need to change the motor mounts?
A: The motor mounts will work fine the problem you will have is if you are going to use a new 350 with fuel injection then you will need a computer and injection set up from a donor vehicle that used a 350. You cant use the injection set up from your 305 because injector size and fuel map will be different, unless you can get it reprogramed. other then that everything should be a direct bolt in. trans, starter, exhaust, the will all transfer.
Q: My Trans Am overheats anytime I drive uphill or at higher rpm over distances of 4 miles or so. The engine is a new crate motor and runs very well other than the overheating. The radiator shop said the cooling system is fine and detected exhaust in the water system. How could a head gasket be blown on a new engine and the car run so well. Could it be a simple fan problem?
A: did you checked the water pump for ene leek's or it culd be jamed
Q: Secondarys won't open it's got a factory 301 stock except for a intake manifold and a 4 barrel rodchester quadrajet I have no idea how many cfm's but the secondarys are vacuum operated when I jump on the freeway I can't get over 50 then it starts to bog down.
Whats wrong?
A: I think the carb is running out of gas. Check the fuel pump. Ed
Q: The engine is missing, but not lost... I've replaced the rotor, the distributer cap, the plugs and wires, and checked the timing.
I need help! My car sounds bad, but when i accelerate, it runs fine.
Just when i cruise at any speed it misses.
Thank you.
A: Check the intake manifold for vaccuum leaks.
Also the base of the carburetor; move the throttle shaft of the carb up and down.
If there is play in the shaft bushings, this may also cause the lean condition...... Ed
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