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2001 Pontiac Grand Am Grand Am engine problems?

Tiny
THODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
In the past two weeks my car started shaking. It was a very mild shake. You can feel it in park but you can feel it better in drive. So in drive the shaking seems a lot worse. I recently replaced the pcv valve and hose. But the shaking continues and has gotten worse. When idling I can smell something burning up. I don't think it's metal but it could be. The weird thing is, the shaking stops after I'm going past 5 mph. After 5mph it runs great. School and work a minimum wage job. I can't afford a mechanic. Can you guys help me?
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2015 AT 7:20 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
When you have an engine running problem, please list the engine size. Start with the basics. How long since the spark plugs and wires were replaced?
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2015 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
THODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Oh sorry, it's a 6 cylinder. Spark plugs were changed about 3 months ago. I am probably going to have to get them changed again soon. But would spark plugs and wires cause that rough of an idle?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2015 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
One bad spark plug or loose wire would cause a horrendous misfire. You'd be missing one sixth of your engine. There are other potential causes of misfires, but given the spark plugs were replaced recently, probably one of the more typical suspects would be a spark plug wire that didn't get plugged in all the way, and the terminal arced and burned away.

I assume you have a 3.4L engine as that's the only six-cylinder I see listed for your model. Include that in the future when you have another engine-related question. Some models have up to a dozen different engines as options, and many of them use very different fuel and ignition systems.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2015 AT 1:02 PM
Tiny
THODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yeah sorry about the 3.4l size. I don't know too too much about car engines. Although I'm learning. I found a mechanic who will run the engine codes on it for free. And I'm hoping it's a spark plug like you said. I appreciate your help man.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2015 AT 9:22 PM

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