Sputtering and acting like wanting to stall

Tiny
MISSANN92
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 128,000 MILES
So my car is acting like it's wanting to stall out on me and can't drive normal up small hills. I noticed a small spike in my RPM's. I changed oil, air filter, fuel filter, clean the throttle body, changed spark plugs. I thought it was bad gas so I took it elsewhere and it's still acting weird.
Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 10:44 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

I would start by checking the fuel pressure to be sure the pump is providing the correct pressure to the fuel rail.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

You can rent a tester at a parts store for the test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Roy
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
MISSANN92
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, I will tell my brother that's what is needed. Everything I search says ABS, my brother was thinking when I hit the branch in the road I probably knocked the sensor to the ABS. He got my car to spit out a code (fuel filter) it was nasty he said he couldn't even blow through it so he changed it. I have no check engine light or service engine light on. Tonight driving up a huge hill my car acted like the solenoid is bad, or like someone shifting my shifting for me while driving. I could feel it and that isn't normal for my automatic transmission. I know my car and that's not like her.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, it is not the ABS at all. That is a completely different system and will have no effect on the engine running.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide

Code for fuel filter? There is no code for that. Can you please tell me the code number?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter

How long since you changed the fluid and filter in the transmission?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Roy
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 4:38 AM
Tiny
MISSANN92
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
July 1st I took my car in to get transmission checked. It don't have a dipstick and me not being a certified mechanic I wanted a second opinion from someone who knows more than I do. But I saw fluid when I took the fill cap off for the transmission fluid, also didn't smell burnt so those are good signs. They told me my fluid is full and it's fine nothing wrong with it and it doesn't need changed it was a little over full. As for my fuel find, my brother got a new scanner tool that connects to the internet or something through the phone using Bluetooth. It's something. I used my dad's snap on scanner and got nothing wrong no nodes etc. My brother said his said a code then it disappeared. It could have been an old code from when my grandma owned the car is my guess.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 5:27 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, just looking at the fluid tells you nothing until you drop the pan and inspect the magnet for any dirt or debris and see if the filter is clogged as well. I would not assume it is okay at all.

As far as the code, does he remember the number? That is important as it could be a clue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Roy
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 5:44 AM
Tiny
MISSANN92
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
P0087, I wrote it down with my paperwork on the car. But I take it to a shop to get checked, July 1,2020 I took it to a shop and they didn't charge me. They probably thought I was insane or something because I had the car for awhile and was worried about the transmission fluid.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
MISSANN92
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
My car wasn't leaking and still isn't leaking anything. That's one of the first things I checked with cardboard boxes underneath the motor. I let it sit for 3 hours and nothing but water from when I had my A/C. I'm barely driving my car because I don't want to damage anything else or make anything worse.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 6:50 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, got it.

Can you verify the code? There is no P0087.

We are back to changing the fluid and filter.

Roy
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 7:02 AM
Tiny
MISSANN92
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  • 6 POSTS
I don't know, it was something like that. It flashed on the screen then off. I figured it was an old code that didn't get cleared or something from year's ago. My check engine light nor my service engine soon light has ever turned on in my car. I always thought you needed a check engine light on for a code to even read?
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The ECM has long-term memory and will store old codes in their system. You need a real scan tool, not a code reader to retrieve that codes.

Roy
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 4:07 PM

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