Random Stumble/Cut out

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dmleonard
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:52 pm
Year and Trim: 2002 SLE

Random Stumble/Cut out

Post by dmleonard »

The last couple weeks my car has randomly started to stumble/cut out. It doesn't die and it happens so quick that the tach doesn't even move. It ususally happens under light acceleration, but last night it started to do it while parked at a light.

No codes were set. It is really weird, the best way I could describe it would be like when you cough from drinking some water wrong. You quickly spit it up and go back to normal. That is what the car is like - it stumbles really hard/Noticeable, but it runs fine right after. You think it will kill the engine, but it picks right back up and is fine.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Rusgreim
GXP Member
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Posts: 207
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:19 am
Year and Trim: White 2000 Bonneville SLE
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Re: Random Stumble/Cut out

Post by Rusgreim »

When was the last time you did plugs and wires and what brand did you use?

I had a very similar experience several years ago with Bosch spark plugs, not knowing they are probably one of the worst plugs for our car.
Russell (Rus or Rusty)
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
torero500
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:37 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SE 118k miles

Re: Random Stumble/Cut out

Post by torero500 »

My car will do this once every 4 months for no reason. I blame in on crappy grocery store gas. Put in a tank of chevron and the problem goes away.
Last edited by torero500 on Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Ken_W
Posts like an L27
Posts like an L27
Posts: 634
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 9:54 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEi
Location: Lake Orion, MI

Re: Random Stumble/Cut out

Post by Ken_W »

Sounds like what my 2000 SLE was doing before I replaced the MAF sensor. Problem completely went away after that.

(I should note, however, that I was getting a MAF code.)

Ken_W
Last edited by Ken_W on Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:27 am, edited 3 times in total.
2000 SSEi "Gypssei" - 206k miles - Light Bronzemist Metallic - stock
1999 Grand Am GT - 168k miles - Red - stock DEAD -- transmission died
2004 Pontiac Montana Ext 2WD - 207k miles - Blue Black Metallic - stock
imidazol97
Posts like an L67
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Posts: 1204
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:55 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Lesabre Limited, 2008 Cobalt, 2014 Malibu

Re: Random Stumble/Cut out

Post by imidazol97 »

dmleonard wrote:The last couple weeks my car has randomly started to stumble/cut out. It doesn't die and it happens so quick that the tach doesn't even move. It ususally happens under light acceleration, but last night it started to do it while parked at a light. !
8 years on plugs and wires? Have they been replaced? I'm with poster on changing plugs and wires for good brands. I use AC Delco plugs and Belden wires.

The harshness of the misfire suggests it's a total short rather than a weak spark; that would make me think wires. Was it very humid when it did it while stopped at the light?
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