Oldsmobile Alero

2000 Oldsmobile Alero Drive Train / Driveline Hesitating When starting No pattern

low trac light comes on, acts like it's slipping but transmission is fine. Is there a possible malfuntion with low trac device? How does it work?

Hello, The low trac feature monitors wheel speed. When a front wheel speed sensor detects a wheel is spinning too much faster than the other front wheel it assumes the tire is not getting traction.

The Traction Control System will apply the brake to the spinning/slipping wheel and transfer power to the other front wheel for traction control and vehicle stabillity until the condition is remedied.

Your car has likely set a traction control code as it sounds like the condition is falsely reported to the computer. Has anyone been working on the front brakes? Could there have been a sensor connector left unplugged or a sensor wire cut/broken?

A road test with a GM Tech II Scanner will get this condition diagnosed in a hurry. Can you arrange a road test with a shop foreman or technician that has this scanner or equivelent? They should be able to provide you an estimate if they can duplicate the problem.

Your thoughts?,

Roger

I have had the master cylinder replaced recently, however, they shouldn't have disconnected the wheel speed censor. Is there a way to test this slipping? I have access to a hoist, it almost seems like it has a problem within the transmission. Anything else I could check out?

What will help you the most is to have the car checked for codes. The testing you would like to do is to monitor the wheel speed sensors feedback while the car is moving. This is done with one of the scanners I mentioned earlier. If they are not sending the same speed value to the computer and the vehicle is not having a traction problem with the road surface it will identify the area in which to troubleshoot.

Since you have access to a lift you can look at the wheel speed sensors, connectors and wiring for damage or disconected/backed-out terminals.

Should you come to know what code/codes are set I can send you diagnostics and repair procedures.

Roger

1999 Oldsmobile Alero Engine Chugging Happens always Always

I've got a problem with a code P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire). I've replaced all the plugs and wires, and it's still missing. Any Ideas?

Does the new #3 spark plug look like it is fuel wet? Do any of the coil posts that the plug wires snap onto appear corroded?
Try swapping two of the ignition coils and see if you can 'move the problem to another cylinder'. If the problem 'moves', you can believe you have a bad coil.

Please advise..

Roger

The plug didn't look wet with fuel, and the posts look clean. I swapped the coils as you suggested, but the problem didn't move, it no longer exhisted. No more chugging, no more missing. I'm still going to pick up a new coil and replace that one, as it may be going bad. About 4 months ago it missed for a few minutes then stopped. I replaced the plugs and it was fine, perhaps it was begining to go bad, or the contacts inside the coil where it plugs in are going bad from the heat (there is also no corrosion at the coil contacts btw).

I can't thank you enough. You saved me alot of frustration, time, and money. I'm going to make this place my primary check for advice.