I've got a 98 chevy prizm that hasn't been running right lately, sometimes it stumbles during acceleration, the car idles kind of rough when in drive or reverse and not moving. The car starts fine and hasn't died yet, I have had to put it into neutral (automatic) because I thought it was going to die. The car has 73,000 miles, I going to start with the spark plugs first and go from there, I'm just hoping that maybe it's on the original plugs or something and that might explain it, any other ideas?
1998 Prizm issues
- Thread starter Buick92
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I think you're on the right track. Wires and cap next.
Fuel filter?
Those answers make sense.
Also, replace vacuum lines.
Also, replace vacuum lines.
No cap or rotor/distributor; plug on coil. Hardly any vacuum lines on these cars and the ones that are there are built to last about 10,000 years.
I'd start with plugs and wires, it'll need them to run at peak efficiency even if that's not what's causing the miss. Fuel filter is in the tank and considered a "lifetime" item. Yea right...
After that, you may have to suck it up and take it in.
I'd start with plugs and wires, it'll need them to run at peak efficiency even if that's not what's causing the miss. Fuel filter is in the tank and considered a "lifetime" item. Yea right...
After that, you may have to suck it up and take it in.
Today the check engine light "flashed" 3 or 4 times when I was going up a hill and then went out, the light then stayed off. I know the "charcoal canister" has been replaced when the last check engine light was on, what does it mean if the engine light flashes rather than stays on? Can that code still be found even though the light went back off? Thanks
Perhaps; take it to Autozone; they'll read codes for free.
Originally Posted By: Buick92
Today the check engine light "flashed" 3 or 4 times when I was going up a hill and then went out, the light then stayed off. I know the "charcoal canister" has been replaced when the last check engine light was on, what does it mean if the engine light flashes rather than stays on? Can that code still be found even though the light went back off? Thanks
When the Check engine light flashes it is because it has detected severe engine missing that threatens the cat converter. If you pulled the codes you would see thatr you have P0300 codes related to misfiring. Change those plugs and see where you get. After that you need to check the coil(s). This sounds like an ignition related situation, but could also be fuel related. Can't make a diagnoses over the internet - but you are on the right path.
Today the check engine light "flashed" 3 or 4 times when I was going up a hill and then went out, the light then stayed off. I know the "charcoal canister" has been replaced when the last check engine light was on, what does it mean if the engine light flashes rather than stays on? Can that code still be found even though the light went back off? Thanks
When the Check engine light flashes it is because it has detected severe engine missing that threatens the cat converter. If you pulled the codes you would see thatr you have P0300 codes related to misfiring. Change those plugs and see where you get. After that you need to check the coil(s). This sounds like an ignition related situation, but could also be fuel related. Can't make a diagnoses over the internet - but you are on the right path.
GMBoy thanks for the info, I replaced the wires and plugs, I was getting a misfire from cylinder #3, turns out the wire was bad, they were the originals, I think everything should be fine now hopefully, I hope my gas mileage goes up a bit. The car seems to run a lot better.
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