2008 Torrent Bucks Going Up Hills. Spark or Fuel Related?

[Christopher11]

Hi. My 2008 Pontiac Torrent bucks while going up hills. It's got plenty of gas in the tank. It's mild but progressive. I noticed it yesterday and it's worse today.

This happened once when I first bought it, and I believe it was changing the wires that fixed it. I don't recall though.

It's a sort of skipping/bucking, and again, only on hills. It doesn't do it every time. It will eventually though; I can tell it's progressive.

I'm going to call my mechanic tonight. I know you can't say for sure. Do you feel it's likely fuel related, or electrical?

Thank you for any reply.

 

[melsg5]

do you have a check engine light on?
how many miles since you change the fuel filter?
have you looked at the air filter?

 

[Christopher11]

Hi. I've been to my mechanic twice, and found a bit more. I'm hoping someone has an opinion on this.

The check engine light does not come on, or even blink. So my mechanic feels that is odd. He took it all day but it of course wouldn't do the symptom for him. The wires/electrical all test out fine. He tested fuel pressure from the pump and it's within spec.

I'm starting to think it's transmission related. Let's see if you agree that it might be. Under power, always going up a hill, it's a rapid stutter. Not like losing fuel so much... more like a slip. Generally it's about 40 mph and between 1 and 2k RPM.

Could it just be that it needs transmission fluid? I know that's wishful. Thanks for any response.

 

[melsg5]

if a transmission slips the engine rpm increases without the car gaining speed. Your symptoms do not match that.
Has anybody checked the transmission fluid level?
When is the last time the transmission fluid and filter were changed?

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[Zimgxp]

Lightly apply the Brake when it starts doing it. If it's Torque Converter related it should stop.