1994 Chevy Lumina Car runs, but will not Move.

MYREDCAR

MEMBER
1994 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
156,000 MILES

It seems like i'm always doomed with car trouble. I've had this car for 3 months, loved it so far, been a great car. Has 156,000 miles on it. 1994 Lumina.

My family and I were driving the car on a 4 hour long trip, 5 miles from our destination, I'd try to excel the gas, in drive, and the car didn't want to move. I pulled to the side onf the Interstate, turned the car off. It would turn back on just fine, but when I put it in drive, it would not move at all. It happened so sudden. It was doing so well on the trip, or so I thought anyway. The Tranny fluid is full, so is the the engine oil and radiator fluid was fine. No indicator lights came on.

There have been a couple of times when the check engine lights came on recently, but they went off just as fast as they came on. It seems like they only came on if the car had idled 5 minutes or more in one place. Don't know if that makes any difference with my current problem though.

Its the only car I have, and sure need to figure out whats wrong with it, so I can get back on the road to make doctor appointments.

Any help would definitely be appreciated. Thank you.

5 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist would you please tell me your specific model. Just a Lumina, or a APV, Euro or a Z34. Also your specific engine size by liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.

Next, will it drive in any other gear i.E, 1st, 2nd, reverse?

Does it still do it now and won't move at all?

Is this intermittent and when it happens the other gears work and if so which ones

Next, if it is drivable, please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

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Thursday, December 4th, 2008 AT 10:38 PM

MYREDCAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi, I was so caught up in my problem I forgot to write in my question. The car is a 1994 Chevy Lumina Euro 3.4L.

It still won't move in any gear. It revs up like it wants to, but it isn't moving.

I sure do appreciate your help.

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Thursday, December 4th, 2008 AT 11:04 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Okay - while I am checking on a couple of things do you know how to jump the pins on the ALDL and read the codes?

And - to make sure we are both on the same page here - when you say the trans fluid is full, it is right on the mark... Not over... Correct?

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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 7:12 PM

MYREDCAR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The fluid is on the mark.

I wish I knew how to check the codes on this car. I've never had to do that before. Honestly, my last car was a 78 Camaro, never had to deal with codes until this car. Seems like the newer a vehicle is, the more complicated they are.

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Saturday, December 6th, 2008 AT 12:30 AM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

Alright - I have attached how you check for codes. See if it makes sense to you. The big thing. . .DO NOT START THE CAR.

You basically put say a paper clip and jump A and B pin together. You turn the car on to where the lights come on ONLY. . ..DO NOT START.

Watch your check engine light

The first flash is the first number and the second flash is the second number. So you sit with paper and count the flashes. It will flash the same number 3 times then go to the next if there is one. It should always start with 12. So for 12 it will be:

Flash (1) pause flash, flash (2) longer pause. . ... Flash (1) pause flash, flash (2) longer pause . . . Flash (1) pause flash, flash (2) longer pause

Now from this point on watch and count the other numbers. Say it is 31. It would be:

Flash, Flash, Flash (3) pause flash (1) longer pause. . .. Flash, Flash, Flash (3) pause flash (1) longer pause. . .. Flash, Flash, Flash (3) pause flash (1) longer pause. . ..

Again - I can not stress enough. . ...DO NOT START THE CAR. The second you see it repeating it self, turn the car off and remove the jumper wire.

I have attached the manual test and explained above. Let me know what codes you come up with.

If you have a question - please ask. Then we will take it from there.