1993 Tune Up

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Stephen0523

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Hi all, my 1993 Pontiac Sunbird LE seems to be missing when I drive. Also if I put my foot down on the accelerator, instead of it taking off, it just revs right up as if it is going to blow. Please tell me what I should replace for a full tune up.

Thanks

Stephen
 
you are describing a slipping transmission. When is the last time the fluid and filter were changed, might want to do that to start.
 
He has a standard trans I believe Mel,, clutch is probally slipping, time for a new one or the clutch cable is sticking.:(

Missing could be a dirty injector, put some injector cleaner in the gas tank to see if it clears up, first. Could be water in the fuel also, get some fuel dryer /antifreeze.

Tune up on these cars 1993 2.0 OHC : Spark Plugs , Spark Plug Wires , Air Filter , PCV Valve, Fuel Filter .

Timing Belt too, if it hasn't been replaced in a while......... over 50k miles / 5 years is the limit on timing belts. If you do the timing belt, check the the water pump also cause it adjusts the tenision on the timing belt by turning it. If its old, then change it also.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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Thanks for the replies. My '93 is an automatic. I have an '89 which is 5 speed and runs great at 450,000kms!

For the auto trans, where would the filter be? I have never changed the oil on this, so I will start with that this weekend.
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The filter is inside the transmission. You have to drop the pan to change it and the fluid.
 
Ok ,wrong Sunbird, ;)

I'd check the fluid level first ( hot and in park) and to see the condition of it also ( black or orange or burnt smell = bad!) Should be bright red if good. the level is important , should be somewhere in the" hash marks" on the stick.

The reason is the trans may be just low on fluid or toast, changing it wont help a toasted trans.............

Most people say not to
change the fluid on them if they have high mileage..............

I did on mine ( changed fluid and filter) and lost reverse totally in mine when I bought it. ( had some reverse)

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
I just did a fluid, filter gasket change and it is better. I am not going to do a tune up.
 
Great Stephen , another Sunbird is back on the road................!

Doug in P.R:cool:
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I just put new plugs and wires along with the Trans fluid, and filter and it is much better. However this morning (after a rainy cold night) it was stumbling a lot and seemed to be missing, but got better when warmed up.
 
Hi again. Just got back from town and she is still running poorly. I was going up an incline and when I put my foot down, it revved like crazy and went nowhere. I also hear a popping sound from the engine.
 
definitely sounds like the transmission is slipping. the poping sound could be caused by an ignition related issue. When you changed the plugs did you gap them? You could also try a compression test to determine the condition of the valves and rings.
 
When I wash my engine bay with alot of water, it does the same thing ( misses - barely runs) till it dries out some.

Check the trans TV cable, make sure its not stretched or broken.

( assuming the fluid level is full )


Info here:

http://www.fieronews.net/fusion/Downloads/Tech Downloads/th125c_service_manual.pdf
Doug in P.R.:cool:



.
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Hi Doug, your link seems to be broken, can you re-post? How would I go about adjust/Checking the TV Cable?
 
i fixed the link try it
 
Couldn't find one just for the Sunbird, the pdf is for Fiero.

Here is a better discription: http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/index.html

If you need a Sunbird pic, let me know.;)

Basicly, you push the button, slide the cable housing back towards the button, release the button, then rotate the throttle all the way.

Dont step on the gas pedal ! , rotate the throttle only !

Personally, I think your trans may be shot, or has a clog or particle in the valve body.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
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Stephan, here you go; ( yellow arrow is the button you push, pink is the cable you push back)

Last pic is the throttle cam you twist. Just follow the cable back to see which is the TV one to check that it feels tight. ( not stretched or broken )

A good idea is to mark the setting you have now with a marker ( silver Sharpie mark in my pic ) to put back in that position if there is no change in the trans shift points.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 

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